I've been doing some experimental off-season indoor gardening to beat winter depression. I planted sweet potato slips on October 28. For reference, they're supposed to be planted in the spring, about a month after the last frost.
Conditions: Southern California, indoors, out of season, temperature controlled to the low 70s Fahrenheit, light and warmth comes from a south-facing frosted glass door.
I've been relying on ChatGPT for guidance. Here is what ChatGPT said when pushed to give a probability:
I will attempt to harvest on a day in the window of February 5 - February 25, which corresponds to a range of 100-120 days after planting. I will select for signs of readiness (withering/yellowed vines, loosened soil) when picking the day.
If I find any edible sweet potatoes (regardless of number or size) when I dig, this question resolves YES.
If there are no tubers to be found, or if they are rotten, this question resolves NO.
I will provide a photo of the results!
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Healthy roots and vines at day 109 or 110, but no sweet potatoes at all ๐ญ It doesn't seem like an additional 10 days would have helped. Here's a photo of the end of the rootball, but I combed through the entire container of soil to be sure.
My theory is that in the lower winter light, the plant prioritized vegetative growth. We've been getting a lot of rain and cloudy days in SoCal this winter. I reburied the healthy roots and I'll try putting it outside later in the year.
If youโre growing indoors, I donโt think thereโs anything that can really go wrong. The biggest problems gardening are from bad weather, weeds or pests.
@soweliSon That seems reasonable- I hope you're right!
I have grown plenty of succulents, but this is my first try growing food indoors at all.