How To Propagate Potato Vine. 2 Best Methods

There are two methods to choose from if you’re interested in learning how to propagate potato vine. This article will discuss how to start from cuttings and layering to create more Solanum laxum. However, do note that you can also use the following techniques to the sweet potato vine, which is also an attractive annual that you can add to your garden. 

You can start your potato vine plants in the greenhouse to help them root quickly. Remember that establishment will be easier if the conditions are controlled and not fluctuating. This will guarantee vigorous plants for transplanting later on. 

 

How To Propagate Potato Vine Successfully

 

Method #1. Cuttings   

As mentioned earlier, you can propagate potato vine plants from cuttings. You can also apply this technique if you want to propagate sweet potato vines. The process itself is no different when taking cuttings from other plants, so those with cutting propagation experiences should have no trouble producing plants from potato vines. 

 

Site preparation

First, you must prepare the site or container before taking the cuttings. Remember that you don’t want to wait for too long after taking the cuttings, or else they would dry up and get damaged. You must amend the soil in your garden to create a fertile and well-draining environment or fill a well-draining container with peat moss and sand for your growing medium. 

 

Cutting preparation

You can then select a healthy parent plant for taking the cuttings to ensure that it won’t get stressed. Growing potato vine in a stable environment like the greenhouse should yield healthy parent plants suitable for producing cuttings. More so, check the sections you took if they are free of any signs of diseases. 

Use a sharp and sterilized tool and cut a 4-inch section above the leaf of the potato vines. Prepare them for rooting by removing the leaves at the bottom two-thirds or bottom half of each cutting. Much like when rooting other plants, dip the section ends in rooting hormone before planting. 

 

Rooting

For planting, you can plant one cutting per container or space them in a garden so no cuttings will contact each other. You want to firm the medium around each cutting to stabilize them and ensure that no leaves touch the ground. Then, mist the potato vines cuttings and maintain soil moisture to encourage development. 

 

Transplanting

Once you notice new growth, you can decrease your watering to prevent root rot. Allow the ground to dry before watering and wait for the plants to develop around 1-inches of roots. This can take a few weeks, and you can transplant the potato vines afterward. 

 

Method #2. Layering

 

Wrapping

Another method that you can do for these ornamental vines is layering propagation. This technique is more straightforward, and most gardeners find it more comfortable. Fill a container with potting soil and wrap the tip of a vine along the inside of a container. 

 

Burying

Make sure that you are burying the vine with the soil and then secure it into place. The crucial factor here is keeping the vine under the soil to encourage root development. Darkness is necessary for root formation as well as consistent soil moisture. 

 

Separation

Much like in starting potato vines from cuttings, you can expect root establishment after some weeks. You can then wait for several new growths before separating the vine from the parent plant. However, be mindful of cutting it off to avoid damaging the parent plant and the propagation itself. 

 

Caring For Potato Vine

To ensure that you will produce healthy vines, you want to know the plants’ ideal maintenance practices. Potato vines will not do well in extreme temperatures; therefore, you must place them in the greenhouse before the first frost. More so, a bright area that provides sun protection should keep these plants happy in the long run. 

You can also lessen the amount of watering in the winter but keep the soil moist, especially during dry climate. Take note that container potato vines will also require more frequent watering. You can use a high-potassium fertilizer and stop feeding by the start of fall to encourage flowering for the feeding itself. 

Overall, maintenance and caring for potato vine is easy as long as you won’t expose them to extreme and challenging conditions. Over time, they will need pruning and repotting to prevent overcrowding and help rejuvenate them. 

 

Conclusion

Ornamental vining plants like potato vines and sweet potato vines will surely bring a unique look to your landscape. And the good news is learning how to propagate potato vine itself is relatively easy and fool-proof under diligence throughout the methods. You can start potato vine from cuttings of a healthy parent plant and plant them as you would with other plants. 

On the other hand, you can wrap the tip of a vine around a pot and then separate this rooted part from the parent plant later on. The main takeaway here is to place the propagations somewhere fertile and well-draining to encourage root formation. You can also benefit from growing them in the greenhouse to create vigorous transplants. 

Overall, maintenance and caring for potato vine is easy as long as you won’t expose them to extreme and challenging conditions. Over time, they will need pruning and repotting to prevent overcrowding and help rejuvenate them.