Beginner Gardening: Sweet Potato slip question, 1 by jkehl

jkehl wrote:
I've got a couple of sweet taters suspended in water learning how to grow the slips. They have grown roots and each one has 5-6 slips popping out. One of them has the largest slip on it (see pic) that has grown up about an inch and then branched into 3-4 side shoots. I know I've got a bit before I separate them from the tater, but I was wondering if the slips should alwayd be separated right where they grow out of the tater or will roots form on each of the branches if I separate them there?

Also, do I just snap them off by hand or is it better to cut them with a knife?