Stake it well, Lucinda. If it does break, hopefully it will break about 4 sets of leaves from the ground. Then it will branch out. You might need to be away of any hollow stem that may let rain in, and let rot commence. I wish there was a picture to help us further appreciate your dilemna.

You can plant it deeper- like you would do tomato plants-- take the first set of leaves off & plant it so where they were is underground. This will shorten the spindley stem & also you'll get extra tubers where the leaf nodes are.

Thanks John and Plantlady!

The problem I had was I planted it temporarily and stakeless in one of those very rounded terra cotta pots for azaleas. Consequently, I wasn't able to get a stake in deep enough for my tastes to feel the tuber and stalk was very secure. But my little corset of ties worked and I've planted deeper as plantlady suggested. PHEW!