sweet potato vine problem

We transplanted several of these into a very large pot at the school garden a month or so ago. They are all pale yellow like the ones in the center of this photo which I borrowed from another Dave's subscriber. They aren't growing much and a few leaves have actually turned brown and crisp.

They are in total sunshine in the middle of a playground. They get watered regularly, maybe too much sometime. But being in the large clay pot, I wonder if they are drying out sometimes - is lack of water the problem? Also, they are planted in a compost mixture that originally was 90% oak leaves - too acidic?

Too much water?
Not enough water?
Too much heat and sun? (mid to high 90s everyday)
Soil to acidic?

mine is in the shade. watered only when needed. no fertilizer. growing like a weed.

mine is in potting mix in a plastic container. i found that clay pots suck the water away from plants and then the plants dont get enough water.

clay pots are only good for cacti and orchids in my book.

John, my tricolor and black ones are in full sun, they are doing great. Margarite(the yellow one) is in part sun, and gets dry from time to time but not bone dry. If they are planted in clay pots, they take lots of water or the edges will turn brown. I use plastic pots like Imzadi, the only things I put in clay are cactus or succulents because I tend to overwater them anyway!
I have some potato vines in the ground, some in pots.

Have you thought about planting them in the ground?
The Margarite is not considered hardy for me in my 8aTX Zone,
BUT, I had a couple of tubers live over the winter. Also, Cuttings root VERY EASILY in water. I rooted several, planted them in containers, and over-wintered them successfully to have to grow this year.
Here is a photo of one of mine as it started really spreading.

This message was edited Jun 24, 2005 6:12 PM

Here is a photo of their Pink Blooms

I brought them in with my geraniums, plastic pot, over winter. They appeared to die (they did die back) but once out in the sun, in springtime, they are thriving again.

The older you get the less you "enjoy" the weight of the big clay pots.

Thanks everyone. You've convinced me to get rid of the giant beautiful clay pot. Or maybe I will but a smaller plastic one inside it.

Emmagrace, I lived in Palestine and Neches about 30 years ago. J'ville always seemed lush to me. I love to go back from time to time.

Anyone know why these planys are so pricey?
I've wanted some for several years but I can't bring myself to pay perrenial prices for annuals . . .

hey thats an idea put a plastic pot in the clay pot and then you will still have it. cool idea.


in some zones they do come back and in others they dont but if you over winter them they do come back agian Hoa_rd

Hey MrJohn -
Neat!
I know right where Neches is.
In fact drove right past there this afternoon out of Palestine on Hwy 79 -
on my way back from Galveston.