Cassava – Togo

(Please be advised that the best time for cassava planting in most of Florida is springtime. These offerings are for people to get access to the germplasm which they can grow out to use for future plantings or to overwinter in the ground for later harvests.)

Togo is a great cassava variety from West Africa.  For a number of years this has been our standby cultivar due to the high quality of the roots and early production.  This variety produces dense, starchy roots with a very nice flavor and pleasant texture.  Core fiber is minimal.  Unlike some cultivars, even under stressful conditions the roots never become bitter.  Friends from cassava eating cultures have commented on the good eating quality of this variety.  Lack of bitterness indicates this is a “sweet” variety low in HCN (cyanide).  Under our conditions Togo has been a consistent producer provided it is grown with good amendments and occasional water during droughts.  Some gardeners in other parts of the state have had more mixed results.  Under good conditions, good sized roots can be available in as early as 8 months, though 9 is more typical.

We mail rooted plants in a 6 inch pot or 5 thick cuttings with densely packed nodes. Due to the variability of plant growth at different times of year, sometimes only thinner cuttings are available.  In these cases we will compensate by including some extras.  In central and north Florida, cassava typically needs to be planted by April to get a good yield within that growing season.  Cuttings ordered out of that season can be grown out by the customer to yield more planting material for future plantings.  Manihot esculenta.