Ipomoea batatas - breeding of Sweet Potato - Camote - New Zealand

[Chris Morrison]

Ahh yes, that was what I had in mind, tomato frame, or similar. As an aside, have noticed that BB is a 'spitter', some pods, whilst drying down inside, have spat seeds out. This has not occurred with G1 or EFR.

[Richard Watson]

You must have wild bamboo growing in and around your area Chris, that's ideal stuff to use for climbing up

[Richard Watson]

Ahh yes, that was what I had in mind, tomato frame, or similar. As an aside, have noticed that BB is a 'spitter', some pods, whilst drying down inside, have spat seeds out. This has not occurred with G1 or EFR.

you might have a few voluntarily pop up next summer.

[Chris Morrison]

Yes, I think that will be the case Richard, bit like my garlic experiments - stuff popping up everywhere now! and as for Bamboo, there is plenty here, but thinking a more robust frame maybe, bit like on that Cornell Uni video, in case of high winds/rain? BB especially is a tricky monster, dense as could be, with little/short.. fat/thick pod stalks, that take an age to mature (again vs G1)

[Chris Morrison]

How cool looking are the BB Cuzzie pods.

[Chris Morrison]

Final Seed tally 376, of which 300 were from 'G1'. The G1 storage roots harvested today did ok also. Over 2kg from the 1 plant , a bit manky as they should ideally have been pulled late March, but seeding went on, an on! No decent roots to speak of, on BB Cuzzie.
Native flowering 'EFR' has decent roots, some up yo 1.6kg (3rd pic). That's us done and dusted for the season - it's been great :-)

[Richard Watson]

What a difference a year makes. Last winter my cuttings that were wintered over inside the house barely managed to pull through, this winter so far they are flying through even with flower buds

[Richard Watson]

BBcuzzie this time last year was so close to dead, this June its flowering. As you have pointed out Mark they do mutate/adapt. 

[Chris Morrison]

My god that plant look healthy! I have just bought some of mine in, and will do rest tomo. Been sidetracked with garlic planting, and also have plenty stored roots for slips, then we need to make a plan for the seed Richard.

[reed]

That plant is much bigger than when I keep them over winter. I just take cuttings and stick them in plastic drinking cups. Most times by spring they are pretty puny looking. Even cuttings do often keep blooming into early winter. Then the drafty windowsill gets too cold and puts a stop to it.

[reed]

Hey, Richard. I'll trade New Zealand 10,000 sweet potato seeds for a little homestead, transportation and citizenship for two. Act fast, the offer could expire at anytime due to circumstances beyond my control.

[Richard Watson]

My god that plant look healthy! I have just bought some of mine in, and will do rest tomo. Been sidetracked with garlic planting, and also have plenty stored roots for slips, then we need to make a plan for the seed Richard.

My stored tubers have lasted well in the shed, the white root is a nice taster

[Richard Watson]

That plant is much bigger than when I keep them over winter. I just take cuttings and stick them in plastic drinking cups. Most times by spring they are pretty puny looking. Even cuttings do often keep blooming into early winter. Then the drafty windowsill gets too cold and puts a stop to it.

They were small when I took the cuttings (2cm tall), so that's all growth they have put on during winter. Hasn't been a cold winter helps though, my area historically always got snow and most winters more than once , if it doesn't snow this winter that will be 5 years in a row. But then how much have these clones adapted over the last three years?

[Richard Watson]

Hey, Richard. I'll trade New Zealand 10,000 sweet potato seeds for a little homestead, transportation and citizenship for two. Act fast, the offer could expire at anytime due to circumstances beyond my control.

Would that mean we would have to move out or would ya be happy to pitch a tent down the bottom end of the paddocks.

[reed]

That would do in a pinch, or maybe a dry spot under a deck.

Was actually looking for a government grant of a nice little spot of our own. When you talk to her let your PM know I can sweeten the deal with a sloppy kiss smack on the lips.