SWEET POTATO VINE FULL
The plant is very adaptable, working in both sun and shade conditions, although the colors are deeper and brighter in full sun than they are in shadier environments where colors are tinged with more green.This variety has red-purple to red-bronze heart shaped leaves with striking foliage. Combine with other plants in the landscape to create a variety of color, texture, and dimension.Works great in landscapes as an annual ground cover, as well as in combinations and containers by themselves. Mix varieties of Ipomoea for unique trellis walls, hanging baskets, patio containers, and window boxes.
![sweet potato vine sweet potato vine](https://livewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ipomea-batata-purple-green-wall.jpg)
Its high versatility makes it a wise choice for hanging baskets or ground coverage. Insert them into small pots filled with cuttings compost, then place in a warm propagator to root.Ipomoea is a great plant to add to any floral environment. To take cuttings from overwintered tubers or sprouted shop-bought tubers, remove the shoots with a sharp knife when they are 5–7.5cm (2–3in) long. Then place the tubers in moist vermiculite, perlite or sand in a warm propagator or airing cupboard to encourage sprouting. The tubers are often treated with an anti-sprouting agent too, so if you want to use them, scrub them clean first. It is possible to take cuttings from shop-bought tubers, but these may be less hardy cultivars that are unsuitable for the UK climate. Cover the pots with a clear plastic bag or place them in an unheated propagator until they root. Keep the compost moist, using tepid water. When they arrive, pot them up immediately into small pots of multi-purpose compost. You can buy unrooted cuttings or ‘slips’ of varieties suitable for the UK climate via mail order from late April onwards. Young sweet potato plants, grown from rooted cuttings, are also available via mail order in late spring or early summer. You can also take cuttings from shop-bought tubers, but they may not be suitable varieties for growing in the UK, so are less likely to be successful. Alternatively, you can take cuttings from the tubers of plants overwintered in a frost-free greenhouse or windowsill. Sweet potatoes are usually grown from cuttings known as ‘slips’, which are available by mail order. Keep them in a warm, sunny, sheltered spot, and water and feed regularly. You can also plant sweet potatoes in large containers, one per pot at least 30cm (1ft) wide, filled with multi-purpose compost. Water regularly and feed fortnightly with a high potassium liquid feed. Then plant them in slits through the polythene, at least 30cm (1ft) apart.Ĭover the plants with cloches or fleece – the temperature lift makes all the difference. Once all danger of frost has passed, harden off the plants by gradually acclimatising them to outdoor conditions. Then in late March or April, several weeks before planting out, cover the area with black polythene to warm the soil and suppress weeds. To prepare the ground, add lots of organic matter, such as garden compost. Sweet potatoes are vigorous plants with trailing stems reaching 1.5m (5ft) or more, so they need plenty of space. But they are tender, so keep the young plants frost-free in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill until late May or early June, potting them on as they grow.Ĭhoose a warm, sheltered, sunny planting site with moisture-retentive, free-draining soil. Sweet potatoes can also be grown outdoors, especially in warmer regions. Keep plants well watered, and feed every other week with a high potassium liquid feed. When growing in containers, any good-quality compost should be suitable, including peat-free.
![sweet potato vine sweet potato vine](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0e/c4/70/0ec47020dcd04c126d860efcc3da138a.jpg)
![sweet potato vine sweet potato vine](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/67/94/1a/67941a59fc6a43a085d4844ca12369a1.jpg)
The trailing stems can be trained up strings, canes or trellis to save space. Transplant them from their pots once they have plenty of roots. Sweet potatoes like warmth and crop best at temperatures of 21–26☌ (70–80☏), so are ideal for growing in a greenhouse, either in large tubs, growing bags or a greenhouse border. Malvern Autumn Show - 23–25 September 2022.RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show - 6–11 September 2022.RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show - 19–21 August 2022.RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show - 3–7 August 2022.RHS Flower Show Tatton Park - 20–24 July 2022.RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival - 4–9 July 2022.RHS Garden Harlow Carr Flower Show - 23–26 June 2022.RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show - 9–29 April 2022.RHS Garden Wisley Spring and Orchid Show - 25–27 March 2022.