Growing Sweet Potato, also Kumara

Ipomoea batatas : Convolvulaceae / the morning glory family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in Australia - cool/mountain regions

  • Plant shoots or cuttings (Slips). Best planted at soil temperatures between 17°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in Separate bed

Your comments and tips

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07 Apr 15, Susan Johnson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am desperately trying to source N Z Kumera in Australia, Peter. Yes, agree - NZ kumera are nothing like the yellow or white sweet potatoes we grow in Australia. My research suggests that the NZ variety may be called 'Candy Kumera', and may have origins in the Pacific Islands. Do you know if this is correct? I assume it wouldn't be possible to import live plants to Australia these days, but am wondering if New Zealanders may have brought it here in the past, in which case there could be slmeone out there growing it.
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07 Jun 15, Nins Ricci (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Send me your addess by email. I have heaps of the real NZ Kumera, purple with white flesh and spots inside. Will nail you some runners. Also in Qld. Mine growing crazy but have not yet had a harvest.
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30 Apr 24, Ali (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello Nins, hope all is well! Do u still have Kumara runners?
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26 Jun 22, Tracy M (Australia - arid climate)
Hello, would I be able to pay for some runners also? I assume they can grow in Melbourne's climate? Many thanks!!
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30 Sep 21, Matthew Steele (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, I have been looking everywhere for these delightful New Zealand Kumura for years. May I also ask if you would mail me some runners? Happy to pay! Many Thanks.
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04 Sep 20, Rick (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Nins, another kiwi missing his beloved kumara. I imagine you've been inundated with similar requests for runners. Happy to pay something and/or donate to Gardenate if you have plants and the time. thanks Rick
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07 Nov 21, Ian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi I've just stumbled across this thread to NZ kumera, by any chance did you manage to source any runners. Thanks
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03 Jul 17, Jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Nins If you have any more of the nz kumara i would be most appreciative if you could share a runner or cutting. Jenny
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27 May 16, Meia (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Nins, hoping you are still perusing these pages.. i am really hoping you still have, and are willing to post on some tubers. Thanks ;)
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04 Sep 15, Hamish (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Nins, I am also very interested in real NZ Kumara if you had some spare Thanks Hamish
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I talked to a commercial grower yesterday. Fertilise the ground before you plant. What fertiliser you use depends on how fertile your soil is. You would need a soil test to really find that out. But fertiliser with a reasonable amount of N, good P and high K. Mix this through the soil profile. If you cut off slips, make them about .4m long, strip off most of the leaves but leave the growing head part. Dig a furrow 50-75mm deep and place the slip in the furrow (place the slip level in the soil). Cover the slip over with soil but leave the growing bit sticking out of the soil. You could put the slips in a jar of water for a week or so to start the roots growing. Once you have planted the slip make sure it is watered for the next week, lIke each day. The soil around the slip has to be wet for the roots to shoot and grow. After a week or so you should notice the plant growing. The slip will produce sweet potatoes from where you stripped the leaves off giving a higher yield of crop. If the vines grow really long then I believe too high N, but I was told they need plenty of N. I was mainly asking about the placement of the slip but will ask more about the fertiliser next time.

- anon

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