scrimflicker

does any one out there in webland know of someone who can post a few cuttings of Manihot esculenta to the UK, legally and without costing a small fortune? As I have tried growing them from seeds with out success. They grow to about 3" tall and then die. It seems that most who try over here in the UK have the same fate. I think it is such a pity as it is such a gorgeous looking plant. And considering it grows almost everywhere in the states and in many parts of the earth just like a weed. I saw a picture of a verigated manihot on the web and I couldn't take my eyes of it for ages. I hope I'm not breaking any laws by writing this thread. But I though I would at least give it a try.

chong

I have found that Manihots like very warm temperatures. If you've propageted them from seeds, you're already halfway there. They do not like their feet very wet. If they die beyond the 3-inch height, it might be that your medium is too wet, and the ambient temperature too low for them.

I brought back cuttings of these from Homestead, FL, that I saw growing at the side of the road, and actually rooted them and started growing branches. Then when the weather got cold here in Seattle, WA, I brought them inside my greenhouse, but they all just stopped growing. The cuttings dried out.

I do not think there's anything illegal about wanting some cuttings because it's usually plants with soil that are mostly prohibited. The only reason they may be restricted is if your country does not allow importation of Manihot due to their toxicity. Tapioca root is poisonous when uncooked. Heat takes away the toxins. But if you see Tapioca roots for sale in your area, i.e. in Asian, Indian, or Pakistani stores, there is no reason why cuttings would be illegal.

If I can find some of the mail order places that have these plants, I will post them here. Variegated version of Manihot is not Esculantus, I don't think. though the plant looks the same except for the variegation. If you are looking to have the plant for foliage, the variegated one is your best bet. They are hardier than the Esculantus, but I don't think they produce edible tubers.

scrimflicker

Thanks Chong for your reply. It's possible I may have been trying to germinate them in the same way as other seeds which could have caused their death. I am looking to acquire them because of their foliage, so the edible roots are not important to me. The idea of variegated manihots sounds good to me, and the fact that they're a little hardier is better for me here in the UK. I welcome your suggestion about mail order sites. Thank you again Chong, and I'll be waiting in anticipation for any replies.

chong

I was incorrect in saying that the variegated Manihot was not Esculentus. In fact, it is called Manihot Esculentus var. 'Varegata'. Here is picture that I found in my achives from the internet several years ago:


Here are some sources for different varieties of Manihot, including the smaller hardier M. Grahamii:
Page Title (Sells cuttings, a little spendy but best bet for mailing)

Shrubs and trees M-Z Guava Macadamia (This Vendor might ship to you. You need to email her and find out. She has the eBay ad in the following link.)
Tapioca Tree, MANIHOT plant - eBay (item 110241014828 end time Apr-13-08 17:32:26 PDT)

Sale List

http://arboretum.sfasu.edu/events/20...gPlantList.pdf

This one says they are not a Mail Order company, but states that they will do limited shipping:
Welcome to Caldwell Nursery - Bamboo for Texas, Tropicals, Rare, Interesting, Beautiful Plants

This company has the Varegata on sale on eBay from time to time, but do not have them as of now. You can email them to ask when they will have them again:
Wellspring Gardens Home Page

I have ordered from this company before. They list Manihot in their general catalog, but not in their 2007 mail order catalog. You will note on the lower left corner of the opening page is a photo of Manihot leaves.
Cistus Nursery Mail Order

scrimflicker

Thank you Chong you have been very helpfull. I have sent an email to the link that sells cuttings. So I will have to wait for either 'you must be joking' or 'yes we do'. I'll keep you informed. All the best, friend.

chong

You are most welcome. And the very best of luck to you. And if I happen to come upon a site that will ship to your area, I will post it here right away.

Chong

scrimflicker

Hi Chong, I said I'd keep you posted so here is the situation to date. About the middle of April I received some manihot cuttings from the US through the post. Straight away I put them in a pot with 50/50 of sand and compost and have kept them moist. They have been kept warm in a green house. But I have seen no response at all so far. I am beginning to come to the conclusion that they were frozen on the flight over. As the aircraft's do fly very high. Thereby all I have seem to have done is plant dead sticks. It was worth the try, but I will try again to acquire a manihot plant from the UK. Who knows maybe I get lucky. Thanks for your help in the past. All the best.

chong

Thanks for your feedback. Did your sticks look "yucky" when they arrived. By that I mean that did they appear as though they were blanched? Or where they very, very dry? How long did it take for the sticks to get there from the time they were mailed?

Let me try to find some more sources for you. Sorry that I haven't found any since I last sent you some info. But I will actively look for more sources.

Thanks again for keeping us posted.

Chong

Chironex

There is one at auction on eBay right now. They will ship worldwide according to the listing.

MANIHOT ESCULENTA 'VARIEGATED' - Tapioca plant - eBay (item 170231825732 end time Jun-28-08 1800 PDT)

__________________
Scot


"Grow 'em if ya got 'em!"

chong

Thanks Scot,
I don't know why it didn't come up when I did a search earlier. I will try to bid for it for Scrimflicker. Unfortunately, the Seller says the plant only ships to the US. Also, the plant shown has unique variegation for the Manihot. Usually, the light color is cream to light yelllow. This one has white.

Scrimflicker,
I also found a couple of other sources that may be able to ship to me. They are closed today, so I couldn't contact them to find out if they'll ship to the UK. If I get some, though, I will do some air-layering on them and let you know if I get them to root in a coconut coir and water crystal medium.

Chong

scrimflicker

Chong, thanks for taking an interest in my quest. I believe if you send a manihot over by air, it will share the same fate as my cuttings. When I received them they looked pale and very dry. On one of them it looked as if it started to shoot leaves that grew to 1/4 inch long but they were shrivelled up and brittle. Also I would not want to put you to any inconvenience or expense if it is to end up the same. Over here they are very difficult to keep alive due to the lack of summer heat. The weather here so far has been wet and colder than average for this time of year. There is 'Manihot grahamii' which is supposed to be hardier but it is not varigated. Oh and I wouldn't want you to bid on my behalf on ebay not only because of the flight over (unless the captain carries the plant over in his cabin)but also the cost. The cost of sending a plant over is much higher than cuttings. Any way I think you have been very helpful so far and I thank you for it. I for my part will scan the garden centres and keep a eye open on 'ebay.co.uk' maybe I might get lucky. If I do, I'll let you know. Cheers mate.

Chironex

You might ask the seller to include a heat pack in the shipping container. Some are able to provide warmth for 72 hours. This might be your answer to prevent freezing during high altitude pond jumping. Good luck.

__________________
Scot


"Grow 'em if ya got 'em!"