Can You Store Cassava Cuttings Over Our Short Winter In The SF Bay Area?

Question

We were in Costa Rica in February, and I was impressed with the amount of food you can get from a cassava plant. Online it says they’re best grown in USDA zone 10 or higher. On the USDA map it looks like I’m in zone 9b in Walnut Creek, CA. I just planted some cassava cuttings. I did see videos showing you harvest at 5-6 months with lesser yield. My question is: how long can I store cuttings this winter, so that I can re-start them in pots before next spring? I should be able to leave them in the ground until the end of October at least, so with starting in pots, I could get 9-10 months of growth. Do I have to do anything special to hold the cuttings for 2-3 months? OK to post answer on the website, but could you please send me an email as well? Thanks!

Answer 1

As long as you have checked the box, this answer will also go to your email.

You may find yourself having to take cuttings, and grow them indoors under horticultural lighting by the end of the year. That, or split one of the tubers to grow indoors.

Doing this will give you a headstart each year so that you can provide those couple of extra months of growth.

Once your plants are ready to go out, they will already be established, and will be well on their way to producing.

Here is an article that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cassava/growing-cassava-yuca.htm

Answer 2

Thanks for the advice! I was looking to see if Icould save the cuttings for 2 months or so before re-planting them, but I can probably get them started in a 1 gal pot, then move them outside when we get past the frost. Thanks!