The Batate does not tolerate any cold at all, as temperatures as low as 10 degrees pose a danger to the frost-sensitive plant. Overwintering the entire plant, including the leaves, usually involves a lot of effort and often promises little chance of success. It is better to overwinter the sweet potato using its cuttings. This method also has the advantage that new offshoots can be obtained from the mature seedlings. You can find out how to get the cuttings through the winter safely in this article!
Gain cuttings
The best way to take cuttings is in late summer, while it is still relatively warm and the plant has not yet wilted. In principle, however, the cuttings can be taken until the first frost occurs. For this purpose, a strong, he althy mother plant is initially chosen. Under no circumstances should it have any diseases or a lack of nutrients, because cuttings from such a plant are neither suitable for overwintering nor for propagation. Once the appropriate mother plant has been chosen, proceed as follows:
- Choose a shoot that is about 10 to 20 cm long
- cut off below the leaf axis (nodium)
- this is a thickened stem area
- from this the leaves are formed
- Be sure to use a sharp, sterile cutting tool to cut it off
- Secateurs, for example, are suitable for this
- High-percentage alcohol is suitable for sterilization
- then rinse and clean the cuttings with water
Tip:
Instead of rinsing the cuttings, they can also be soaked in water for around 10 minutes. If necessary, a small splash of soap can be added to the water to kill any pests.
Germinating cuttings
After the shoots have been cleaned and freed from possible pests, they are ready for germination. There are two different methods for this, as they can germinate in a water vase or in a standard seed tray. For both variants, however, the lowest leaves of the cuttings should be removed first. Depending on the method chosen, the subsequent procedure is as follows:
Germination in the water vase
No special equipment is required for this method, as fresh water and a container are completely sufficient. Ideally, the container is transparent so that root development can be observed. For example, a vase or an ordinary glass is suitable for this. If you want to germinate the cuttings in water, it is best to proceed as follows:
- Place shoots in a container with fresh water
- ideally the water is slightly warm
- make sure that no leaves come into contact with the water
- remove additional leaves from below if necessary
- change the water every few days
- the old water is suitable for watering other plants
- Place the container in a place out of direct sunlight
- the warmer it is, the faster the cuttings will root
- After a few days the first roots will form
Tip:
The leaves of the cuttings often droop or even fall off. However, this is not a cause for concern, it is completely normal!
Germination in the seed tray
For this variant, you will need a bowl or pot as well as standard potting soil. This method requires less work because the cuttings do not require any special care after they have been planted. The cuttings germinate best in the seed tray if you proceed as follows:
- Fill the pot or bowl with potting soil
- insert cleaned cuttings
- pay attention to high humidity
- Temperatures of at least 20 degrees
- optimum temperature is 25 degrees
- a mini greenhouse on the windowsill offers the optimal conditions
Overwintering the cuttings
There are two different options for overwintering the cuttings. Because they can remain in the water vase all winter long or be placed in their own pot. Please note the following:
Wintering in the water vase
- check the water regularly
- to make sure this doesn't get too slimy
- or even evaporates
- because the water level should always be above the roots
- the roots must never dry out
- also change the water every few days
Overwintering in a pot or bucket
- Fill container with loose substrate
- Ordinary potting soil is suitable for this
- Put cuttings in your own pot
- as soon as the first roots have formed
- then place in a bright, warm location
- a windowsill is ideal
- Substrate must not dry out, but should always be evenly moist
- so water regularly
Tip:
After around two months, the plants are usually strong enough to grow new cuttings from.
Conclusion
Overwintering the entire sweet potato plant is usually not very successful, whereas overwintering the cuttings is successful in many cases. What is essential here is the optimal location and regular watering of the cuttings. The work required is relatively low, but the chances of successfully overwintering the offshoots are even greater.
