When the first new shoots gradually become visible, you've done it. Germinating a sweet potato is not always successful, but with the right method it is definitely possible. The work is always worth it, because the orange-red tuber is not only culinary versatile and a real culinary delight, but also forms a decorative plant if you forego the harvest.
What do I do if my sweet potato sprouts?
To germinate a sweet potato, you can either place it in a glass of water or store it in moist potting soil. Shoots form within a few days. A germinating sweet potato is still edible if it is in good condition, but the shoots should be removed.
Sweet potatoes rarely germinate
Unfortunately, a very hard shell surrounds the seed of a sweet potato. The resulting low supply of water and oxygen makes it difficult for the tuber to germinate. Therefore, you should use seeds instead of seeds if possible
- Cuttings
- or a sweet potato from the supermarket
place in the ground. But even the latter option does not always result in new shoots. The sweet potato comes from the tropics, which is why the European climate is too cold for some varieties. If you buy a sweet potato at the grocery store, you often don't know what variety it is.
Grouping Sweet Potatoes
To germinate a sweet potato, all you need is a tuber from the supermarket. Now you have two options available:
Germination in a glass
- cut off one end of a sweet potato
- place the sweet potato cut side down in a glass of fresh, warm water
- after a few days the first shoots will appear
Germination in the soil
You can also germinate your sweet potato in a box filled with potting soil. You should store these in a bright place and always keep the soil moist.
Are sprouting sweet potatoes still edible?
When stored for a long time, sweet potatoes tend to re-sprout. If your batate does not have any other pressure or mold spots and is not otherwise wrinkled, it is still suitable for consumption. However, you should carefully remove the new shoots before processing.
