While the method of placing a Kumara saved from the previous year into a glass of water suspended by toothpicks will work, there is a much more productive method.

The glass jar method may get a dozen or so slips (Tupu), while the sandbox will  produce many times more Kumara shoots. You may only a  few plants for your home use, but having a year round supply for your family might need a change of thought.

The sandbox Method:

1.Place approximately 50mm of sand into a plastic tray, this is enough depth for initial root development.

2. Place your Prized Kumara into the sand on its side, inspect for potential eyes (where slips start to appear) and placethis side downwards. I have found that slips that grow up through the sand have good root development and your plants will have a head start.

3. Cover most of the Kumara with seed raising mix, this helps to keep the moisture in the sand and helps root growth.

4. Water the tray with luke warm water so the sand is moist but not wet. You will need to inspect this moisture content about once  per week and adjust. This can be done by drilling your finger down through the mix, and reforming afterwards.

5.Place your tray onto a heat pad, with a grow light. I  find once the Kumara have sprouted strongly the tray can be relocated to a sunny inside window. The initial temperature is critical, I set my heat pads to  24 degrees C and the seed raising house quickly increases to a very high humidity.

Under these conditions of temperature, light (12 hours per day) and high humidity the Kumara will come to life.