What makes sweet potato plants form tubers?
My plants have been damaged by hail, but I think will continue to grow. Do they flower before they produce tubers? Or is it light or temperature related?

Sweet potatoes are true roots not tubers. As the plant ages it uses the roots roots as storage. They usually begin storing when when about two months old and will continue until the plant dies. They are a perennial and will live until killed by frost. It takes about 3 months on average to form usable sweet potatoes. Many varieties never flower and for those that do has no effect on root development. They are tropical plants in the morning glory family and grow fastest at high temps and humidity.

Thank you! That helps.
We are having higher temperatures, so unless there is early frost I still have hope!

And I have a plan for the humidity for next year:
I will plant them in large Rubbermaid bins, but with drainage holes.
I will place these under the glass topped patio table.
Then I will use tape to make plastic walls around the table
? plastic shower curtains or the like.
If cold spells threaten----I can hang a shop light under the table
to drive off a few degrees of frost if needed.
I could place large pails of water under there too to act as a heat sink.

when is the best time to plant sweet potatoes in Summerville or Walterboro area?

If you are talking about South Carolina, You can set plants from mid-April to mid June and expect a harvest. Southerners are not pressed for time like folks in the North.

This year, I thought that I would try growing sweet potato slips.
These were bought as organic Beauregaurd sweet potatoes.
I propped them in jars so half the potatoe is in water and half is above the water. They formed roots, but no green slips are forming?
Is it heat or light which makes them send up green slips?

Neither really. They do have to be warm Above 60 degrees but I have them sprout in dark storage. Mine usually sprout before any roots show. I don't start them in water tho. They will need light for the slips to green up. Beauregard usually sprouts fairly well so you should be good. I just took this photo of a little one that is sprouting in storage.

Thanks-it helps to know what they look like.
I am thinking to move them to a warmer part of house.
And it is easier if they do not need water.

They will need the water to grow so your current plan should work out. I actually grow my slips in a cold frame using grow mix as a medium. I do like them to sprout before I put them down.

I start mine like you do Ms Scott. Mine have also formed roots and no plant growth yet. It will come. I had mine in a window at house temps but just moved them out to the greenhouse for brighter light even though it won't stay as warm at night. I think they tend to sprout when the time is right as they do when they are stored in the dark.

Please keep us informed as to your sweet potatoe growing!
Inquiring minds want to know!

CarolineScott said:Please keep us informed as to your sweet potatoe growing!
Inquiring minds want to know!

I will hope you will also post your experiences and success.

Yes I will keep you informed of progress here.

Moving these to warmer spot has resulted in a first sprout.


And perhaps another is starting.

Looks good Caroline 😁
Going to my 1st try with them this year. I just bought 2 seed at ace hardware. I like to read all the directions...because....sometimes i learn something.
Well !!!! I did ! It said .... To cut seed in half and put the cut side , half way in the water. Well....gee That makes since !!! Potato can take up water easier. Right !
I'm gonna try it.
😎😎😎

Those will probably send up shoots more readily.
I think these probably were chilled on the way from California.
If they get chilled, then sometimes they do not grow the slips.
They were labelled as Organic so they should not have been sprayed.

I've only tried sprouting sweet potatoes that I bought at the grocery store -- sometimes it takes a while, but eventually they really take off with the sprouts.

Caroline, I can't wait to hear how your project goes... are you planning to grow them in tubs this year? I tried them inside a hoop house one summer and got a LOT of vines but only very small tubers. Sometimes I think I should just accept the fact that I live in the north

Yes, maybe I should accept that I live in the North too!
One year I did get some the size of my little finger.
But that year I ordered slips, and by the time they come, and I root them--
half the growing season is over.
These, that I am doing this year, are from the grocery store.
I just need three slips, and I think that I will get three.
One has a sprout on the top, and also a good strong slip growing under the water. I have tubs and large containers to plant them out in June.
My yard has too many tree roots so I can not plant them in the ground.

I'll be interested to hear how they do for you! and, although I haven't tried them, the vines are also edible...