Which end up and which one down

[Auburn]

Bought these this morning and the bag indicates that they are organic so I assume they are suitable to grow slips to plant. My plans are to use toothpicks and a container of water to grow slips. My issue is not knowing which end goes upward. The first picture is were the vine enters the sweet potato and the second one is we’re I think the root continues. I would like to get started with the process so any opinions are welcome. Up or down. Thanks

1

[marknmt]

Root down, isn’t it? just like garlic cloves?

[zendog]

Generally, the pointier end will be the root end.

I put this one in water a little over a week ago and you can see it budding out on top and the roots forming at the lower side that is in water. I’m getting lazy in my old age and just stand them in a jar of water if the tater is tall enough and the jar isn’t too tall.

[Auburn]

Thanks. I hope that I see sprouts in a week. I would like to plant a few about mid April.

[Audi_o_phile]

@Auburn

My issue is not knowing which end goes upward.

Would you be open to trying a slightly different propagation method? Last year I tried what was suggested here and it worked perfectly for me.

@Eme

Just throwing this out there for any other small backyard growers (I have an 8x4 sweets bed) - planting 1” slices of sweet potato directly in the ground works better. We do still make water slips because they’re fun for the family to watch, but the slips produce noticeably fewer and smaller potatoes than just directly planting 1” slices 5-6” deep- as one would imagine given that a potato can easily make 50 slips for me. So, if you’re not in need of 100+ plants, consider just slicing and planting.

[ZombieFruit]

@zendog

I’m getting lazy in my old age

I am with you. If your potatoes will keep for a second year, they will send up slips in a dry basement without any coaxing. I just pop off the sprouts and drop them in a cup of water.

[Auburn]

I had to test one microwaved potato. Wrapped in a moist paper towel. Cooked 5 minutes and turned and cooked 3 more minutes. Easy and was really good.

[Auburn]

I only need a few slips. I used 3 with the tooth pic/water procedure and I have 1 remaining to chop up into 1” pieces. This is a completely new method for me. Does it matter how the pieces are oriented. Skin up and down or cut area up and down.