Your comments and tips

02 Oct 18, Warren Leedes (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Firstly thanks for the web site I would like to grow the different coloured Kumara, how do I go about getting seeds please? Any advice would be gratefully received Kind regards Warren Leedes

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04 Oct 18, Paul (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Plant the tubers that you want to grow but in a separate bed. They will sprout lots of shoots which will also have roots near the base. When the shoots are 40 to 50 cm long put a fork under the tuber and gently lift it out. Separate the shoots and plant them in the bed you have prepared for them as indicated in the article above. Last year, before I knew this, I planted several tubers where I wanted them to grow but after learning the right method I dug up three and planted out about 50 slips. The slips can be left in water while you are waiting to plant them out and in a few days mine put out prolific roots where the base was under water. You can also start the sprouting inside, cutting the tops off tubers and putting the cut down in shallow water, then planting them out when they start to sprout. Roots will also start growing but later than the shoots. Look for the eyes in the tubers as they are where the shoots come from.

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08 Oct 18, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Also you can use 50-60cm sections of the growing plants 6-8 week old and plant them along the ground with the tip out of the soil. Roots will grow from where each leaf joins the vine.

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01 Oct 18, Jeanette (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I'm in Ipswich Qld .I've planted a whole tubor of the purple sweet potato ( after it produced roots in water) and it's shooting up beautifully, do I break these off and plant separately? or try to grow roots in water first? I have had no luck at all with the orange sweet potato.

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02 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Cut it into 4-6 pieces and plant. Then when they have grown for about 2 mths take some of the vine about 5-600mm long and plant in the soil laying horizontal with just the end sticking out of the soil. Water well for week or so.

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19 Sep 18, Eddy (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Can they grow on canterbury christchurch

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06 Oct 18, denise (New Zealand - temperate climate)

i live in Kaiapoi and grow in tubs. the soil is warmer

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21 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Did you read the notes here. I suggest you do and pay attention to when to plant.

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16 Aug 18, Adrienne (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Can you please tell me what is the best type of fertiliser to prepare the soil for kumara?

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11 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Any general fertiliser - but probably something with a fair bit of P in it. N P K - something like 10 -14N, 6-10 P, 10-15 K.

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