Variegated Tapioca

Has anyone had success in rooting Variegated Tapioca Manihot esculenta?
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/64799/index.html

I keep finding references on the web about how easy it is to root cuttings, but haven't had success to-date. Another experienced gardening friend also confided that they hadn't had any luck either.

Also, when I lifted my plant to store it inside for the winter, it went into shock and looks very sad at the present time. Does anyone have any tips on storing it? Does it go dormant?

Oh - I have rooted these in a matter of a few weeks, just in about an inch of soil and dipped in rooting hormone. I used appr. 6 inch cuttings with all the leaves removed.
Hope this helps.

Hate to sound stupid, but let me ask a couple of questions - Dutchlady.

Did you use tip cuttings or stem cuttings? Did you "tent" the cuttings?
Did you leave your cuttings outside? If yes, was it warm/hot?

This plant is the common cassava (obviously variegated though...) that is widely grown in the tropics for food. You can find many articles on the net about the ease of commercial propagation even done in open ground (yes, outside in soil!). Normally though the stems are cut into many pieces with two nodes each and rooted in whatever mix you like. Like Dutchlady, I take off any leaves (if you don't most of them will fall off anyway). You can use the lower parts of the stem without any leaves too. I use bottom heat on all my cuttings but I've rooted these without it.

Digital Dave describes what to do very well. I used tip cuttings; I did not tent them; I left them outside but it was hot (between 80-90 daytime temps, 70-80 nights).

nathalyn
yes it will go dormant and loose all of its leaves,mine did,and now it is getting leaves again,do you have a GH? or are you keeping it in the house? with sun or no sun?
plmk
moretz

Here in SW Florida zone 10a it's still thriving and in full leaf.

Beautiful plant!

I envy you Dutchlady!!! We had heavy frosts 2 weeks earlier than the normal first frosts - - - and no light warning frosts! We went from 80 degrees to having killing heavy frosts 2 days later.

Moretz,
I have mine under lights in my "indoor greenhouse". I have a large pop up greenhouse in my basement garage with fans and lights. I am considering keeping mine in a pot next year in order to avoid the shock it goes into when you pop it out of the ground. It's good to know that yours is leafing back out. I'll keep an eye on mine.

What a great plant, I was lookinig for something with an asian feel to it to go with my bamboo, it reminds me of a Japanese maple.

It would do great in the Keys.

It looks so cheerful. I hope yours pulls thru Nathalyn.

Mine is starting to sprout new leaves - - so I think mine will make it! Next year, I am going to try cuttings during the middle of summer - - rather than waiting until fall.

I have over wintered the common green form here with a good mulching in zone6. I would think the variegated form a bit harder to over winter but if you get seedlings started it might be worth a try. If you do get seedlings I might be up for a trade. Good luck.

bwilliams
i will have rooted cutting next spring just email me in the spring and we can go from there ok? mine got huge this year when i put it in the ground loves the ground better then a pot (i think) because in the pot it didnt have the room to grow like it did in the ground,let me see if i can find a pic of mine
moretz

here you go

Brian, It's good that Moretz has cuttings to trade with you in the spring, as it will be next summer before I have another shot at attempting them. By all means, get this plant as it is one of the most striking plants and really looks great mixed in with other tropicals.

I got mine from Singing Springs (which has ceased their mail order business) as a small plant and by summer's end, mine was about 3 ft. tall.

here is another pic but it got even bigger then this,which i am trying to find lol

Wow, Yall! I need to start pinching my tapioca! Yours are much fuller. As with Dutchlady (she's right around the corner), we are able to plant ours all year. Man Hetty, we have so much in common!

moretz~

Is that a 'Red Star' in the mix? I got one of those this spring and I really love it.

Robert.

Carol trim that bush and start rooting; I am amazed how easily they root.
I WILL visit you soon.... just a lot of distractions at the moment.....

I definitely will, DL!

Robert
yes it is,i had it in a pot and it seemed to like it at first but then it died so i will have to get me another one in the spring i LOVE that spike even the green ones they make such a staement in the garden