Ukrainian Grows Sweet Potatoes with Three-Kilogram Tubers in Chernihiv Region
Resident of Chernihiv region Volodymyr Yakovenko has harvested a significant yield of sweet potatoes on his plot near Nizhyn — a type of sweet potato that is a popular product in Central America and often replaces the traditional potatoes familiar to Ukrainians.
This is reported by AgroReview
Sweet Potato Cultivation Technology
Volodymyr Yakovenko has been growing sweet potatoes for several years. He is attracted by the exotic nature of this crop, as well as the absence of natural pests and diseases in our climate that could harm the plant. According to the farmer, the technology for growing sweet potatoes differs somewhat from traditional potato farming.
“After the New Year, I plant the tuber in a container with soil. I place the container on a radiator, covering the tuber by just an inch or two. After a while, the sweet potato starts to sprout. These sprouts or cuttings need to be carefully cut and placed in water. In three to four days, the cutting will develop roots, and after that, it can be placed in a cup with soil as a seedling. In spring, I transplant the seedlings into the ground,” explains Volodymyr Yakovenko.
On average, Volodymyr gets up to three kilograms of tubers from one bush, with some specimens weighing over 800 grams. The peculiarity of sweet potatoes is that they are propagated not by tubers but by cuttings, which are first sprouted in water and then planted in the soil.
Care Features and Advantages of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are considered an undemanding crop and are suitable even for beginner gardeners. However, it is important to adhere to the temperature regime: it is recommended to plant sweet potatoes when the soil has warmed to at least 12°C, as the plant is sensitive to frost. Even a brief drop in temperature to 0°C can lead to the death of the leaves.
Sweet potatoes grow well both in open beds and under cover — in greenhouses or plastic tunnels. Volodymyr Yakovenko prefers to grow sweet potatoes under agrotextile, and he mulches the rows with straw to retain moisture and combat weeds.
“As the plant develops, it sends out a shoot and begins to root. To prevent the sweet potato from wasting energy, I placed it under agrotextile and mulched the rows with straw,” shares Volodymyr about his technology. “While I’m not chasing super yields, I average three kilograms of tubers from one bush. In my opinion, that’s a good result.”
In addition to high yields, sweet potatoes have another important advantage — they are resistant to diseases and pests, which significantly eases care for the plant. Sweet potatoes are also noted for their pleasant taste, which is highly valued among Ukrainian consumers.