Does Sweet Potato Bloom? A Detailed Guide to Growing It on a Balcony

Sweet potato, called digua by people in the north, is usually propagated by stem cuttings, but it is not very easy for ordinary households to get cuttings in spring, so you can consider growing it directly from sweet potatoes sold in the market. Sweet potatoes are very easy to grow, and having a balcony at home is enough. So does sweet potato bloom? How do you grow it on a balcony?

1. Does Sweet Potato Bloom

Sweet potato can bloom. However, because regions differ and climate and other factors vary, the sight of blooming is rarely seen in some places. In many provinces and regions in the south, it naturally produces flowers in autumn and winter. But in some central or northern regions, it is hard to see under natural conditions. In these regions, you can promote flowering through grafting and short-day treatment.

Factors affecting flowering

1. Light: Light conditions are the main factor affecting whether it blooms. It is a short-day crop. If it receives sunlight for 8 to 10 hours a day, this satisfies an important condition for flowering.

2. Temperature: If the temperature stays within the range of 30 to 37 degrees Celsius, it will produce more flowers. If it exceeds 37 degrees Celsius, the flower buds will be scorched by the sun, so if you want it to bloom, the temperature must be kept well controlled.

3. Watering: When it has just been planted, it needs a large amount of water to support growth. As it gradually grows, the frequency and amount of watering should be reduced. In the later stage, watering once a week is enough.

2. How to Grow Sweet Potato on a Balcony

Step 1: Buy a few sweet potatoes and bring them home, wash off the soil, and soak them in a basin filled with water. Change the water every 1-2 days to prevent rot. After about 1-2 weeks, the sweet potatoes will sprout white roots.

Step 2: Prepare a flower pot at least 15 cm across, plant the rooted end of the sweet potato upright into the soil. The upper end does not need to be completely buried and can be left with a little bit exposed. There are no requirements for the soil. After planting, water thoroughly once.

Step 3: After some time, the upper end of the sweet potato will sprout. At this point, let it get plenty of sun and keep to the rule of not watering when the soil is not dry, and it will grow rapidly.

Step 4: When the vine grows to 5-8 cm long, you can pinch off its tip. After pinching, new vines will grow from both sides. When the new vines grow to 3 cm, pinch off the tips again. Pick the sweet potato leaves, wash them, and stir-fry them as a dish. They are very good for your health. You can keep picking while it keeps growing, and you will not be able to eat it all.

Step 5: Pick the sweet potato leaves, wash them, and stir-fry them as a dish. They are very good for your health. You can keep picking while it keeps growing, and you will not be able to eat it all.

Step 6: Wait until autumn, remove all the stems of the vines, pour out the potting soil, and you can harvest a full crop of sweet potatoes!