Sweet Potato 
Convolvulaceae Morning Glory Family 
Ipomoea batatas 
Herbaceous Perennial Vine 
History 
Native to Central and South America 
Cultivated in Peru 8000 BC 
In Caribbean by 2500 BC 
Travelled to Polynesia by 1000 AD 
Reported by Columbus on his 4th invasion of the 
Caribbean 
Introduced to China 1700s now China is #1 producer 
Propagation 
Seldom from seed, flowers sporadically 
Slips/cuttings, 6 – 10” long 
Terminal cuttings best, nodal cuttings 1 – 6 
nodes can be used  
Actively growing insect-free vines 
Clean material virus/disease-free 
Growing 
Banks or beds 
1 ft between plants 
3 – 5 ft between rows 
2 – 4 nodes below ground 
Tuberous storage root 
Supply ample water first month to establish good roots 
Fertilizer 5-10-15 
Weed control  
Preemergent herbicide  Post emergent grass herbicide 
Sweet Potato 
Variety 
Trials 
Red Skin White/Cream Flesh 
 
Brown Skin 
Orange Flesh    White Flesh 
White Skin 
White Flesh 
White Skin 
Purple Flesh 
Harvest 
120 - 150 days Sweeter with Age but more 
weevil damage 
Fork don’t stab the potatoes 
Plow   Cultivator 
Root Harvester 
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
120 Days
150 Days
Variety 
Marketable Roots 
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
B-14
Francia
Mojave
Yel
Sunflwr
Toquecita
Pujol
Okinawa Murasaki Liberty
120 Days
150 Days
Variety 
lb/Plant 
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
120 Days
150 Days
Variety 
% Weevil Free 
Pests 
Weevils 
White Fly 
Iguana 
Leafminer 
Mealy bug 
Rats & Mice 
Viruses