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cassava plant : Complete Guide and Care Tips

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The Cassava Plant: A Comprehensive Guide to Growing and Caring for This Versatile Crop

Gardening enthusiasts are always on the lookout for new and interesting plants to add to their collection. If you’re looking for a crop that is both versatile and easy to grow, look no further than the cassava plant. Also called yuca or manioc, this woody shrub is native to South America but has since spread across the tropics, becoming a staple food source in many regions.

What Is Cassava?

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a perennial plant with tuberous roots that can grow up to several feet long. The tubers are rich in carbohydrates and have been an important food source for centuries in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and South America.

Varieties of Cassava Plants:

  • Sweet cassava (also known as soft cassavas)
  • Bitter cassavas (also known as hard cassavas)

cassava

How To Grow Cassava Plant?

Soil Requirements:

Cassavas prefer well-drained soils with ample organic matter content. For best results, grow them in sandy loam or sandy soil if possible.cassava

    Tips on how best to prepare soil include:
  • Add composted manure
  • Avoid waterlogged areas
  • Propagation:

    cassava

    The propagation method depends on whether you wish to establish your planting material using stem cuttings or seeds through vegetative propagation.

    If propagating through stem cuttings, follow these steps:

    1. Cut 6 -8 inches long stem cuttings
    2. Dry the stem cutting
    3. Plant in well-draining soil with at least one or two nodes in watered soil.
    4. Water regularly and maintain moisture levels until establishment.

    cassavaIf propagating via seeds, follow these steps:

    1. Select mature cassava roots for seed extraction
    2. Extract the seeds and air-dry them under shade (sunlight will reduce their viability)

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    Care Tips:

    The following tips will help you ensure that your cassava plants thrive:

      Tips on how best to care for your cassavas include:

    • Water regularly – Cassavas require plenty of water during their growing season.

    • Fertilize often- Apply a balanced fertilizer every two months during active growth stages. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers that might encourage foliage growth to the detriment of root yields. .

      Harvesting Cassava Plant

      The time it takes for cassavas to mature depends on variety, climate conditions, and practices implemented throughout the crop’s growing period.Cassava tubers are ready for harvest between 8-12 months after planting depending on varieties, climate conditions, and management practices implemented through its growth cycle.The average yield per acre ranges from about 25-30 tonnes. To harvest:

      1. Cut back plant tops before digging out tubers using a spading fork or hoe.. Note: Be careful when harvesting as some varieties of cassava contain cyanide and when not handled well, can be a potential hazard to human health.

      In Summary

      With proper care, cassavas are easy to grow and are an excellent addition to any garden or farm. The plant is both versatile and resilient, producing bountiful yields even under adverse growing conditions.

      Whether you’re looking for a new food source or simply want to experiment with different plants in your garden, the cassava plant is definitely worth considering.

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