Cassava root (yuca, manioc)

Does anyone know if this is something we can grow here in the desert?  If so, how difficult is it to harvest.  My husbands family loves to cook with it in soups and I thought I might try to grow it but I am having trouble finding much information on it.  

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  • Thanks. The purdue links says that it is typically grown in a savanna climate so it might work here. I have bought it at a few markets here in town and just peeled it and boiled it along with potatoes in soup. My husband is gluten intolerant and I use tapioca flour a lot. I didnt realize it came from this plant. I think I might try it if I can find the right spot for it.
    • We grew a lot of cassavas in our backyard when I lived in the Philippines. We grew them out of 12 inch cuttings. We don't put them in soups though. We cooked them like sweet potatoes or yams. We have candied cassavas and cassava cakes which are cooked with coconut milk and brown sugar. You can get them sometimes at Lee Lees Oriental Market or at any Philippine stores.
    • Thanks! We live really close to Lee Lees. I will try that.
  • I did a liitle Googling, and didn't turn up much. This was the most informative site:

    http://www.gardenguides.com/taxonomy/cassava-manihot-esculenta/

    Looks like it could probably happen here, if its microclimate is right. It likes a warm, humid environment. It might be too dry here. Also, it's not easy to grow from seed.

    Also, they're trying it out, large-scale, in Gila Valley:
    http://www.eacourier.com/articles/2009/05/05/news/doc49e52ecb360fd3...
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