Growing Sweet Potato, also Kumara

Ipomoea batatas : Convolvulaceae / the morning glory family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • Plant shoots or cuttings (Slips). Best planted at soil temperatures between 63°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in Separate bed

Your comments and tips

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10 Mar 19, Mike Logan (New Zealand - temperate climate)
It may survive if you plant it now - might not grow much or produce a crop. Might be better to try again say Oct and plant out Nov Dec. You are temperate climate.
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07 Mar 19, Bruce (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live on the Sunshine Coast Qld and I am trying to source runners or tubers of the NZ Kumara, if anyone has some available I’m willing to purchase, the Aussie sweet potato is so so different.
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15 Dec 19, Greg (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Bruce I live just up from the sunny coast,I know someone who grows them,but not got any at this time.did you have any luck.
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15 Jan 20, Bruce (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Greg, short answer no. Had no luck getting the NZ kumara, can you get them . Willing to pickup or pay postage , oh for some NZ kumara so so different. Cheers Bruce
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15 Jun 19, Chris Herden (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Bruce. I have cuttings available of the new zealand kumara. I can send phot if you wish. How many were you after? I am based in Lismore and Hunter Valley, NSW.
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09 Nov 19, Bruce Windsor (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Chris, sorry for the late reply, I am really interested in the NZ kumara if you can email me pic or contact me I live on Sunshine Coast QLD Thanks Bruce
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08 Mar 19, Erin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I have Beauregard sweet potato if that is a nz variety?
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12 Apr 19, Bruce (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Unfortunately that one isn’t the NZ kumara
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07 Mar 19, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Try the internet - seed and bulb places - like diggers club. You would probably have to buy a SP and then plant it to produce runners/shoots /slips.
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08 Feb 19, Jan Clifford (Australia - arid climate)
I have grown a sweet potato in a glass and want to know if I can plant it or not. I an in the Central West NSW in the arid zone. TIA Jan Clifford
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I live in the Redlands on the sourthern outskirts of Brisbane. I am trying to grow sweet potatoes for the first time. I have grown my own slips and planted them out and the vines are growing nicely. What I would like to know is where do the tubers grow from. Is it from the base of the slip or from the vines. Also I only have one vine growing from each plant. Do I need more than one vine and if so how do I encourage the extra vines.

- bernie

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