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sweet potatoes in containers

REMF33REMF33 Posts: 696
in Fruit & veg
Hello. I think it's time to put my sweet potatoes 'out' - the intention being to grow them in a container or containers. This is my first time growing them. I have a 25x15" container. I am wondering how many I could get in there, or how big a pot  I need for each sweet potato? Can anyone help? I have googled, but no definitive answer. 
Any growing tips in general would be appreciated too.

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,152
    One per pot and keep them well fed, watered and in full sun.   I grew them in the ground last year after 3 of ours sprouted in the pantry.   One gave a good crop, one nothing and the other was eaten thru by slugs and all sorts of burrowing beasties.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 696
    Thanks, Obelixx. But how big a pot? 25x15 is HUGE! I can't accommodate 5 pots that big. They are not going to get full sun, alas, but I am still going to try. Normal potatoes have done ok in the location I am intending for them. I can imagine slugs being an issue, as they are with normal potatoes for me. Pity the slugs don't deal with their cousin, and ever encroaching pest, bindweed.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,152
    I was basing it on the size of your pot.  If you don't give them room they can't grow fat roots for you to eat.   I planted our 3 75cms/2.5' apart in the ground........
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    We grew ours in a cold (not so cold at this time of year) greenhouse.  We put one or two sweet potatoes in each of those squashy bags that Monty Don sometimes used. In hind sight one potato would have been enough for each bag.  I can't remember what the bags are called by they are similar to one tonne bags (only smaller). They do need a heck of a lot of watering and feed too. It was a worthwhile exercise and perhaps we will repeat it another year.
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 696
    Goodness. That's it an awful lot of pot per plant. Hmm. Might had to ditch most of the plants then.
  • Digging-itDigging-it Posts: 100
    I’ve wondered about growing them in bags in the greenhouse like Guernsey Donkey2, I have a couple of those bags designed for growing spuds they’re about 2’ square and 3’ high....might give it a try. Is it too late to plant them now?
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    The sweet potatoes were interesting to grow - something a bit different, and OH says the bags are as you described Digging-it - we think it isn't too late to plant them, but they will need plenty of watering, not soggy - just keep them damp but not wet. I am sure you will be able to find some information either on the packet they come in or google.
  • Digging-itDigging-it Posts: 100
    Been in the garden all day & just seen your message. I’m sure my local garden centre has some for sale, at least they did a few days ago, too late to get them today but I’ll buy some in the next couple of days. Thanks for the heads up on watering luckily I have a pond in the garden which I can use for the watering....my water butt is already dry! Cheers
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