Manihot esculenta 'Variegata'

[Barb Matthews]

Does anyone have a source for Varigated Tapioca? I would love to find some liners but have had no luck finding them.

[Thomas Duffey]

Hehe, thanks much Paul.  I will be looking into these plants.  You appear to understand where I'm trying to get with this thing.  Much appreciated.

 

Yeah, it seemed to me that at least to some extent, ultimate one-year size of the manihot could be controlled.  I do use both slow-release and frequent but very light soluble fertilizers, so my stuff does put on the growth.  But containerized never achieves the size of in-ground, or at least usually not.

 

Thanks again.

Paul Westervelt said:

Thomas, I've used Manihot successfully in 24" and 30" mixed containers at home and I've seen them used to great effect in combos other places in smaller pots. Longwood Gardens had a great combo several years ago with Manihot, Lantana and Russelia in what appears (from my pic) to be a 20" pot. Norfolk Botanic Garden had a unique vertical combo with Manihot and a very upright, succulent euphorb in what looks (again from my pic) to be an 18" pot. There are piles of growers who have more experience with Manihot than I do, but I've never found it to be a thug that outgrows its container. That said, it does like the heat and will grow right through the hottest times when other plants poop out. There's no way you'll reach anything close to 10' in a single growing season unless you're starting with a massive plant and train it to be upright. 4' is a real possibility though - especially if water and fert aren't limited. They are prunable, but the new growth is so pretty, I'd hate to cut it off. If you just need vertical for show and can get the bulk of your color from the companions, you might try Stachytarpheta mutabilis. It's uncommon and gets a lot of questions at our place. Some of the tropical red leaf Hibiscus might also fit the bill - 'Panama Red' and the variegated 'Haight Ashbury' are two of my favorites. And for something totally weird, consider Amicia zygomeris or Solanum quitoense. For more inspiration, check out Peace Tree Farms - they're great people and some of the geekiest of plant geeks :)

[Patrick Prussing]

Hi Barb, Sunshine Horticulture will have Manihot liners approx March of 2013. Visit our website for contact information www.sunshinehorticulture.com. You won't find it listed on the website yet as we have just started the production of this variety. Thanks.

Patrick Prussing

Sunshine Horticulture, LLC

[Barb Matthews]

Thanks Patrick!
 
Patrick Prussing said:

Hi Barb, Sunshine Horticulture will have Manihot liners approx March of 2013. Visit our website for contact information www.sunshinehorticulture.com. You won't find it listed on the website yet as we have just started the production of this variety. Thanks.

Patrick Prussing

Sunshine Horticulture, LLC