When the sweet potato is planted from vine cuttings it passes through a difficult period of healing the wound and initiating roots. The initial treatment of the cutting is therefore, very important. The effects of four simple practices such as removal of leaves of cuttings versus non-removal, holding the cutting for two days and stimulating roots versus immediate planting, delayed versus immediate irrigation, and planting in the morning versus planting in the afternoon, were tested in small, replicated trials with four clones of sweet potato. Removal of leaves reduced respiration and water loss but delayed establishment and reduced yields. Holding cuttings two days and stimulating rooting increased the number of storage roots and thus yield. Delayed irrigation tended to reduce root size. Planting in the morning versus the afternoon did not significantly affect any yield components. Thus, leaves should be left on the cuttings, cuttings should be prerooted before planting, and immediate irrigation appears beneficial.