What are the key points to note when growing sweet potatoes? This one article is all you need

Sweet potato is actually a general term for many root crops, but because the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is the one that appears most in people's lives among all the "digua," it later became another name for the sweet potato. Nowadays, many new varieties of sweet potato have appeared, which not only have higher yields, but their cultivation has also changed somewhat compared with the past. So let's take a look below at what issues still need attention when growing sweet potatoes today.

1. Planting time

Nowadays, the planting time for sweet potatoes is very broad; it can be said that except for summer, planting can be done in all other seasons. But here the editor wants to remind everyone about the best planting time in each season, so you can pay attention to this, as it can increase the yield of sweet potatoes. In spring, it is best to plant from the end of March to early April; in autumn, it is best to plant at the end of August; and in winter, it is best to plant around mid-October. Finally, when planting, be careful to choose cloudy and rainy days, as this can increase the survival rate of sweet potatoes by at least about 5 percent.

2. Planting methods

There are many methods for growing sweet potatoes, but if we want to increase the yield, it is best to choose these several cutting methods. Our first choice is the horizontal cutting method; the sweet potatoes produced by this planting method are relatively uniform, and the number of sweet potatoes produced is large, but the only drawback is that it is not drought-tolerant. Second, we can use the direct planting method, which produces larger sweet potato tubers. Finally, we can also choose the diagonal insertion method, which gives the highest survival rate for sweet potatoes. Here the editor wants to remind everyone that for the sweet potato seedlings used for cuttings, it is best to cut them into small sections with five leaves as one node, as this is more conducive to their survival and growth.

3. Weeding and lifting the vines

One point that needs special attention when growing new sweet potato varieties now is weeding and lifting the vines. After the sweet potato seedlings survive, we need to carry out one thorough intertillage and weeding. Second, when the sweet potato seedlings grow to about 40 cm, carry out the last intertillage and weeding. Then, during the tuber growth period, weeding should mainly be done by hand-pulling weeds, as this will not harm the growth of the sweet potatoes and can also reduce the consumption of nutrients. Second, while hand-pulling weeds, we need to lift the vines of the sweet potato seedlings, as this can prevent the vines from rooting and consuming nutrients.

4. Topping and pinching

Sweet potatoes grown in the past also needed topping and pinching, except that at that time a suitable amount of sweet potato seedlings also needed to be removed, which could reduce the absorption of nutrients by the branches and leaves, thereby promoting tuber growth. Now, new sweet potato varieties usually only need pinching, because their branches and leaves grow just right; they will not consume a large amount of nutrients and can better carry out photosynthesis and respiration. Pinching can prevent excessive growth of the main vine, thereby promoting the growth of side branches and reaching the standard for tuber expansion.

5. Water and fertilizer management

The growth of sweet potatoes requires sufficient water. During their growing period, we should maintain soil moisture at least around 60 percent. If the moisture is too high, drainage should be carried out in time, otherwise it will cause sweet potatoes to become deformed or even rot. In the process of fertilizing, note that nitrogen fertilizer should not be applied in a one-sided way, as this will cause excessive growth of branches and leaves, and the sweet potato tubers will be unable to expand.