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Potato Vines

Gardening Reference » Gardening in 2006
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by gardeningmomma on August 18, 2006 02:19 PM
I have two beautiful potato vines- one is in a hanging basket, the other in a plastic pot. My question, is what to expect in the Fall. Will the leaves die off? And if they do, will I have a sweet potato to save for next Spring? Also, can they come in for the Winter? Can I store it in my basement? Or are they annuals?
Thanks [Smile]
by TulsaRose on August 18, 2006 11:48 PM
The first year I had Sweet Potato Vines, Blackie and Marguerite, in containers and tried to overwinter them in the house with dismal results. I don't know if they didn't get enough light although they were in a south window setting or if they just don't do well indoors.

The following year, I bought new plants and in the fall, took cuttings, rooted them in water over the winter, potted up early spring and they did wonderfully. I should say the Marguerite did wonderfully...the Blackie didn't make it at all.

Last year, the pots they had been in were full of small tubers which I intended to save and pot up but I somehow managed to lose the dang sackful in the garage somewhere. They'll be too dried out and shriveled to use if I should run across them now. [Wink] It's my understanding that the tubers can be overwintered indoors and planted the following spring.

Gardeners in warmer zones are also treated to the lovely blooms that don't happen in a shorter growing season like ours. Here's a picture of this years vines started from last years cuttings.
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Rosie z7a
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by gailo on August 19, 2006 10:31 AM
Thanks for this subject. I was just wondering if I could keep my SPV's over winter. So I just take cuttings and leave them in water all winter?

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gailo
by Jiffymouse on August 20, 2006 04:05 AM
also, if you let them die off naturally, you can dump out the pots and get the "potatoes" to plant for next year.
by gardeningmomma on August 20, 2006 04:20 AM
Thanks for the info guys!
TulsaRose- I just took some cuttings.
Jiffymouse- how would I store the potatoes through the Winter? I'm a Zone 5, so I don't believe they will survive outside. Thanks. [flower]
by Jiffymouse on August 20, 2006 11:46 AM
put them in the basement or cellar. just like you would store any bulb or tuber.
by Deborah L. on August 20, 2006 03:51 PM
I'm confused. Are potato vines ornamental plants or the real potato plant? [dunno]

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by Jiffymouse on August 20, 2006 05:11 PM
actually, they are part of the "sweet potato" family. not yams exactly, but definitly not potatoes. however, the ornamental vines have the tubers just like regular sweet potatoes, and regular sweet potatoes make pretty vines too! how's that for confusion [Big Grin] [Big Grin]
by gardeningmomma on August 21, 2006 01:02 AM
Never knew that, that is really neat. I'll need to "borrow" my in-laws basement- ours is heated. I can't stand to be cold [grin]
by Jiffymouse on August 21, 2006 02:30 AM
just keep them from freezing and you will be fine!
by gardeningmomma on August 21, 2006 01:36 PM
Thank you [grin]
by gailo on September 22, 2006 08:09 PM
I don't have a basement to store tubers. Do you think I could put them in a styrofoam cooler in my garage and that would keep them from freezing? The garage is unheated and sometimes it gets very cold here but sometimes not so bad. Last year it wasn't all that cold so I figure this year it will probably be cold.

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gailo
by TulsaRose on September 22, 2006 09:38 PM
gailo, it's worth a try. Pack in some peat moss or something for additional insulation and they probably will be OK. You can take cuttings now to root in water and they will really put on a nice show in the house over the winter. Then pot up in the spring. [Wink]

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Rosie z7a
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by ND farm girl on September 23, 2006 03:06 AM
I have 3 potatoes in a box in my basement right now! I thought it was funny that they looked like an actual sweet potato!

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PattyM
by joclyn on September 23, 2006 03:39 AM
well, this is good news! i really loved the tri-color spv that i bought this year!

i'm going to root some cuttings and then let what's left die off and then store the pot in the basement...can i do that? or should i pull the tuber out of the soil?
by gailo on September 23, 2006 08:24 PM
Rosie, I read what you wrote before about rooting in water and I did that. I was surprised how fast they rooted. I may have to break the thing I put them in to get them out. I think I will take some more cuttings just before frost so I'll have an extra chance to get them through winter. I will try the tubers in peat in the garage in a styrofoam cooler and let you all know how it works.

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gailo

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