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Discover the secrets of growing hydroponic sweet potatoes in your own home. Dive into our comprehensive guide for practical tips, easy setups, and more!
Growing Hydroponic Sweet Potatoes involves GROWING the sweet potato slips in a coco coir and perlite grow medium and nutrient-rich water solution with adequate aeration.
Use a water pump for circulation and ensure the pH level stays between 5.5 and 6.5. Maintain a temperature range of 70-75°F and provide ample light for successful growth.
Have you ever thought about growing hydroponic sweet potatoes? Now you might be wondering can you grow sweet potatoes hydroponically?
We’re here to tell you it’s not only possible but it’s also a thrilling adventure waiting right at your fingertips.
Imagine cultivating these delectable tubers right in your home, no soil is needed, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Why Grow Hydroponic Sweet Potatoes?
I love sweet potatoes but storebought sweet potatoes leave a lot to be desired. Quality is variable and they are not cheap to buy either.
Unfortunately growing sweet potatoes outdoors in my Western Washington climate is a no-go.
We just don’t get enough heat in a cool maritime climate.
But I can grow sweet potatoes indoors in 5-gallon buckets.
But I want to automate the lighting and watering and that’s where growing sweet potatoes hydroponically comes in.
I am growing Purple Okinawan Sweet Potatoes. They taste different than regular sweet potatoes.
They are sweeter and also drier. If you ever had roasted chestnuts the taste is kind of similar.
I got mine on Amazon here. They are pricey but I will only have to buy them once.
I tried raising slips from storebought sweet potatoes before but they are treated with sprout inhibitors. You also have no idea what kind they are
So I took the plunge and received really healthy slips that had already started growing roots.
Let’s plunge into this exciting world and find out how your own bucket can be the starting point of an amazing hydroponic journey.
Growing Hydroponic Sweet Potatoes
Hey there, folks! Ready for a fascinating journey through the world of hydroponic sweet potatoes?
We’re about to unfold a story that takes us from simple five-gallon buckets to thriving green plants, all nurtured without a speck of soil.
We’ll be exploring the ins and outs of hydroponics, the role of coco coir, and the mechanics of a top-feed drip system.
Not forgetting, of course, the tips and tricks to keep your grow lights on point.
So stick around and let’s turn your curiosity into a green thumb adventure!
Catching Up on Our Sweet Potato Journey
Remember the journey we began in the last video? The little sweet potato slips we planted in five-gallon buckets, cozily nestled in coco coir?
Fast forward to today, and you wouldn’t believe the progress they’ve made.
Only a week later, those tiny slips have flourished beautifully in their new hydroponic home, inside a neatly set-up grow closet.
The sweet potatoes are off to a fantastic start, promising a fruitful yield ahead. Let’s dig into how we got them thriving so well!
The Basics of Hydroponics
Hello, fellow growers! Ready to dive deeper into the magic of hydroponics?
This method, which might seem a tad unconventional to some, actually holds an impressive potential for cultivating our beloved sweet potatoes, and a whole lot more.
It’s all about swapping the soil for some water, nutrients, and a little bit of science. Intriguing, right?
So, let’s clear the fog and get the lowdown on hydroponics and why coco coir is our new best friend in this adventure.
Prepare to have your gardening world turned upside down – in the best way possible!
Unraveling Hydroponic Cultivation
Here’s the big reveal, my gardening friends! Hydroponic cultivation is essentially a super cool way of saying we’re growing plants in water, not soil.
It’s like giving your plants a VIP all-inclusive resort experience, directly delivering all the nutrients they need right to their roots.
And the cherry on top? It’s sustainable, efficient, and perfect for indoor gardening.
The Sweet Side of Hydroponics: Sweet Potatoes
Now, sweet potatoes and hydroponics might sound like an odd pair, but trust me, they’re a match made in gardening heaven.
Sweet potatoes thrive in hydroponic systems because they get their nutrients and water directly, no soil-borne diseases to worry about, and the growth? It’s off the charts!
Coco Coir: The Unsung Hero of Hydroponics
Ever heard of coco coir? It’s like the silent hero in our hydroponic saga.
Derived from coconut husks, it’s an inert, eco-friendly medium that just loves water as much as hydroton, another popular hydroponic medium.
While it may look similar to soil I assure you it is totally different. If you treat it like soil you get soil results.
But if you use it as a hydroponic growing medium the way it is meant to be used the growth and yields will explode far beyond what soil can produce.
I use only Canna Coco because it is prebuffered and the quality is great. I prefer using Canna Coco Bricks but it is available in bags too.
Perfect for our water-loving sweet potatoes, don’t you think?
Coco coir is a safe place for our sweet potatoes to hang out and soak up all the good stuff they need to grow.
Plus, it never likes to dry out, making it an ideal choice for our hydroponic setup.
The Setup
Alright, folks, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty, metaphorically speaking, of course, as we’re going hydroponic!
You may be wondering, how exactly does one set up their own hydroponic system at home?
Don’t sweat it, we’ve got you covered. We’re about to delve into all the nitty-gritty of our setup, from our simple yet effective five-gallon buckets to the intricate top-feed drip system.
Let’s embark on this journey together, transforming your space into a thriving hub for your sweet potatoes. Here we go!
Your Hydroponic Haven: Five-Gallon Buckets and Coco Coir
So, let’s begin with the basics. Remember our sweet potato slips tucked away into five-gallon buckets?
Those buckets are now their haven, filled to the brim with coco coir, an ideal hydroponic medium.
It’s kind of like giving them their own personal condos to grow and thrive in.
It is recommended to only use one sweet potato slip per bucket so they have lots of room to grow and the sweet potatoes will be larger that way.
And, the coco coir is just perfect – it’s like a water-loving, nutrient-holding cushion for the plants!
Mastering Water Delivery: The Top Feed Drip System
Next up, we have the lifeblood of our hydroponic setup: the top feed drip system.
It’s like a fancy irrigation system for your sweet potatoes, delivering the right amount of water and nutrients directly to their roots.
And as for the drip tubing, we’ve got a nifty trick up our sleeves. We’re using open-ended tubing instead of emitters.
Why, you ask? Because it’s a charm, it just doesn’t get plugged up!
The Unsung Hero: FloraFlex Manifold and Tubing Setup
And do you know what’s the hero behind our top feed drip system? It’s the FloraFlex manifold and tubing setup.
We have two manifolds, each with eight tubes coming out – imagine an octopus and you’re on the right track.
With four 5-gallon buckets, each has four drip outlets, ensuring a smooth and even distribution of water and nutrients.
Timed to Perfection: Feeding and Watering Schedule
With the setup in place, let’s talk about feeding and watering.
Our handy pump, on a timer, makes sure the plants get a generous 3-minute watering session thrice a day.
It’s like a well-scheduled spa treatment for your sweet potatoes, only with water and nutrients instead of facials and massages!
The Nutrient Storehouse: The 20-Gallon Reservoir and Jacks Nutrients
Last but not least, we have our nutrient storehouse, a 20-gallon reservoir loaded with Jacks Nutrients, following the 3-2-1 formula.
This is a 3 part system using 3 parts Jacks Hydroponic Nutrients, 2 parts Calcium Nitrate and 1 part Epsom Salts (available at any drug store)
These nutrients are an absolute bargain, they work wonders and are even used in commercial greenhouses.
All the essential goodies our sweet potatoes need are here, ready to be delivered straight to their roots!
Lighting and Automation
Hey there, fellow green enthusiasts! Now that we’ve got our hydroponic setup humming along smoothly, it’s time to shed some light on the subject, quite literally!
Lighting and automation play crucial roles in our sweet potato journey, ensuring our plants get their daily dose of ‘sunshine’ and stay well-hydrated, all while you can sit back and watch them flourish.
So, are you ready to illuminate your hydroponics knowledge and explore how automation can turn your setup into a nearly self-sustaining sweet potato factory? Let’s dive right in!
Meet the Sunrise: The Automated Light System
Let’s kick things off with our automated light system. Just like clockwork, it ticks away, giving our sweet potatoes a solid 12 hours of light each day.
It’s our very own mechanical sunrise and sunset! Set on a timer, it ensures our plants get their daily dose of light, crucial for their growth, without us having to lift a finger. Pretty neat, right?
Keeping Things Flowing: Minimal Maintenance
The best part about our setup? It requires minimal maintenance. With everything automated, all you have to ensure is that the reservoir stays full. That’s it!
It’s as simple as keeping an eye on the water level, topping it up when necessary, and letting the automated system do the rest. You’re free to sit back, relax, and watch your sweet potatoes thrive!
Star of the Show: The HLG 650R LED Light
Speaking of lights, let me introduce you to the star of our setup: the HLG 650R LED light.
This powerhouse of a light doesn’t just shine, it dazzles! Its potency goes above and beyond our requirements for the grow closet, meaning we actually have to dial it down a notch.
But boy, does it deliver when it comes to aiding plant growth!
Light Up Right: Choosing the Perfect Grow Light
So, how do you pick the perfect light for your grow space? Light is the lifeblood of any indoor garden, but it’s not one-size-fits-all.
Remember, our HLG 650R LED light is pretty powerful, so a closet or a small grow tent may not need something this intense.
The key is to consider your grow space’s size and the light’s output.
This light could cover a 4×4 to 5×5 space easily and although it is dimmable you probably won’t need a light this large.
Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through how to figure this out in another article. After all, we’re all about keeping things bright and happy here!
Possibilities Beyond Sweet Potatoes
Greetings, aspiring indoor gardeners! Are you enjoying our hydroponic sweet potato adventure?
Well, hold on to your gardening gloves because we’re about to expand your horizons even further.
Yes, hydroponics is awesome for sweet potatoes, but guess what? It’s not just limited to them.
A world of leafy greens, vibrant flowers, and even more veggies can thrive in your hydroponic system too!
So, ready to explore the endless possibilities that extend beyond our beloved sweet potatoes?
Let’s step into this expansive hydroponic universe together!
Broaden Your Hydroponic Horizons: Beyond Sweet Potatoes
Fellow growers, there’s an entire hydroponic world out there just waiting for you to explore!
While we love our sweet potatoes, they’re just the beginning of this exciting journey.
Imagine cultivating crisp lettuce, fragrant herbs, colorful peppers, flourishing tomato plants, or even vibrant flowers, all hydroponically grown in your own home.
At this point in time I actually have some Dahlia tubers alongside my sweet potatoes.
The possibilities are endless! If you can dream it, you can probably grow it hydroponically. So, why not give it a try?
A Leaf from My Book: Former Cannabis Cultivation
And if you’re wondering about my hydroponics experience, well, let’s just say I’ve had an interesting journey.
You see, there was a time when I was cultivating cannabis in my grow closet. Yep, you heard right – cannabis!
But now, I’ve traded in my cannabis leaves for a variety of other green, leafy plants.
And guess what? I’m still using the same hydroponics equipment. It just goes to show, once you’ve got the basics down, you can grow pretty much anything hydroponically!
Future Content Teaser
Alright, my gardening friends, we’re nearing the end of our sweet potato saga, but this is not the end of our gardening rendezvous!
We have so much more to explore, to learn, and to grow together. In fact, I’ve got something exciting up my sleeve that I can’t wait to share with you.
Eager for a peek into what’s coming next? Well, stick around, because we’re about to give you a tantalizing glimpse of our future content.
Let’s keep this green journey going, shall we?
The Next Chapter: Peek into the Closet Setup
The green curtain is about to rise, folks! Next up, we’re about to take you on a grand tour of our grow closet, where our sweet potatoes have been happily growing.
I can already hear your eager questions: What’s in there? How is it set up? What makes it so special?
I promise we’ll delve into all the specifics, revealing every nook and cranny, in our upcoming content.
So, stay tuned for that behind-the-scenes look!
A Green Promise: More In-depth Information Coming Up
And that’s not all. We’re committed to making your hydroponics journey as smooth and informative as possible.
So, in our future articles, we’ll dive deeper, exploring topics like the perfect light for your grow space, nurturing other vegetables, and much more.
We’ll keep the information flowing, aiming to equip you with all the knowledge you need to make your hydroponic garden flourish.
So, keep those gardening gloves close, because our green adventure is far from over!
Hydroponic Sweet Potatoes At One Month
Here are my sweet potatoes at one month. They are in 5-gallon buckets filled with coco coir and watered with a top-feed drip system.
Growth is very good and they are very healthy. At some point, I may need to start trimming vines back. Right now it’s fun watching them take over the closet.
Hydroponic Sweet Potatoes FAQ
Growing sweet potatoes in hydroponic systems using coco coir as a growing medium is an interesting subject.
Coco coir is popular for its water retention and aeration properties, making it an ideal medium for hydroponics.
However, sweet potatoes have specific requirements when it comes to nutrition, water, and growing conditions.
Below, you’ll find a Q&A section that will address some of the most commonly asked questions about growing sweet potatoes in coco coir hydroponically.
Q: Can sweet potatoes be grown in coco coir hydroponically?
A: Yes, sweet potatoes can be grown hydroponically in coco coir. The coir serves as a good support medium and helps in water retention.
Q: What nutrients do sweet potatoes need in a hydroponic setup?
A: In a hydroponic setup, sweet potatoes require a balanced nutrient solution that includes essential macro and micronutrients. Calcium and potassium are particularly important.
Q: How often should I water sweet potatoes in coco coir?
A: The watering frequency can depend on the growth stage and the specific hydroponic setup. However, coco coir retains water well, so overwatering should be avoided.
Q: Do sweet potatoes grown in coco coir require a different pH level?
A: No they don’t. The ideal pH for growing sweet potatoes or other vegetables in coco coir hydroponically is slightly acidic, usually between 5.8 and 6.2. This range helps in better nutrient uptake.
Hydroponic Sweet Potatoes Final Thoughts
And just like that, we’re wrapping up our hydroponic sweet potato adventure, my fellow plant enthusiasts.
We’ve planted, nurtured, and learned so much together! But remember, this is not the end.
Rather, it’s the start of many more green ventures that we’ll embark upon together.
As we conclude today’s post, let’s look back at our journey, relish our learnings, and gear up for the exciting road ahead.
After all, the world of hydroponics has so much more in store for us. Ready to keep growing? Let’s wrap things up for now!
Celebrating Our Sweet Potato Success
Before we wrap things up, let’s take a moment to appreciate our thriving sweet potato plants.
They’ve started off strong, and they’re only going to get better from here!
And the best part? We’ve done this together. This green journey has been nothing short of incredible, and it’s all thanks to our hard work, dedication, and of course, our lovely sweet potato plants!
Keep Growing, Keep Shining: Words of Encouragement
To all my fellow gardeners out there, remember that every leaf, every root, and every flower you nurture is a testament to your green thumb.
So, keep gardening, keep exploring, and keep it green. There’s a whole world of plant wonders waiting to be discovered, and you’ve got the best tool in your hand, your passion for gardening.
So, here’s to many more days of joyful gardening!
Signing Off, Until Next Time
And with that, it’s time for me to say goodbye…for now!
It’s been wonderful sharing this hydroponic sweet potato journey with you.
I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have, and I can’t wait for our paths to cross again in the world of hydroponics.
Until then, keep your green thumb waving high, and happy gardening! See you all soon, folks!
Read more: How To Grow Vegetables In A Closet For Beginners
Read more: Using A Grow Tent For Vegetables
