🌱 Why Old-School Growers Remove Leaves from Kamote Cuttings

(And Why You Shouldn’t Always Do It)

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Introduction

After a round of strong wind, several of my kamote (sweet potato) vines were nearly snapped.

Instead of discarding them, I did what any balcony grower would do —
I cut and replanted the stems.

That’s when an old piece of advice came to mind:

“Remove all the leaves before planting the cutting.”

It sounded simple. It sounded logical.
But is it actually correct?

Let’s break it down.

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The Old-School Rule

The traditional instruction is clear:

• Strip off all leaves
• Plant the bare stem

This has been passed down for generations — and it does work.

But the real question is:

👉 Why does it work?

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What’s Really Happening

When you plant a cutting, it has:

• ❌ No roots
• ❌ No way to absorb water

But if leaves are present, they continue to:

• Lose water through transpiration
• “Demand” water from the stem

This creates a mismatch:

Water going out > Water coming in

Result:

• Wilting
• Collapse
• Failed cutting

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So Removing Leaves Helps…

By removing leaves, you:

• Reduce water loss
• Lower stress on the cutting

👉 This increases survival rate

And that’s why the advice stuck.

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But Here’s What’s Missing

Leaves are not just “water loss machines.”

They are also:

• 🌿 Photosynthesis engines
• ⚡ Energy producers
• 🌱 Root growth supporters

If you remove all leaves:

• You reduce stress ✅
• But also reduce energy ❌

Which means:

👉 Slower root formation

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The Better Approach (Modern Balance)

Instead of removing all leaves, use a balanced method:

✂️ Keep:

• 1–2 small, healthy leaves at the top

❌ Remove:

• Large, droopy leaves
• Leaves touching the soil

✂️ Optional:

• Trim large leaves by half

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Real Example: Wind-Damaged Kamote Cuttings

The kamote plants with the canopy of leaves -- before the wind and rain.

The stems with large leaves bent to almost breaking. I cut them off and planted them.

Large and droopy leaves from the cuttings were removed. Smaller and younger leaves where retained.

These cuttings came from vines that were nearly broken by wind.

Observations:

• Stems still firm → good water retention
• Large leaves → risk of rapid water loss
• New small leaves → valuable for recovery

Adjustment made:

• Trimmed large leaves
• Kept smaller top growth

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What Happens Next (What to Watch)

Over the next few days:

Good signs:

• Leaves stay firm
• New shoots appear
• Stem remains green

Warning signs:

• Full collapse or shriveling
• Stem turning soft or dark

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Key Takeaway

Old advice tells you to remove leaves to help the plant.
Modern understanding tells you to manage leaves to help the cutting survive and grow.

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Closing Thought

Sometimes, traditional methods are not wrong —
they are just incomplete.

And in a small balcony setup, where every cutting counts:

We don’t just aim for survival.
We aim for faster recovery and stronger growth.