Mashua (Anu, Tuberous Nasturtium)

Plant tubers in spring in moist, slightly acidic to neutral, well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun to partial shade; mashua is one of the 'lost crops of the Andes' — a climbing nasturtium relative that produces edible tubers at the base of its twining stems. It is the most productive of the Andean tuber crops (producing more calories per unit area than potato under appropriate conditions) and is naturally resistant to insects and some nematodes through bitter compounds in its tissues. The tubers have a distinctive sharp, peppery, mustard-like raw flavor that mellows dramatically when cooked (especially by frost exposure) to a sweet, starchy taste similar to parsnip. The attractive red and orange tuberous nasturtium flowers are edible and ornamental. Mashua is a short-day plant that forms tubers only when days shorten in fall — it performs best in zone 7–9 where frost is not severe but fall days are distinctly short. Спосіб посадки: Посадка бульб Відстань між рослинами: 12–18 дюймів Висота: 36–84 дюймів

Plant tubers in spring in moist, slightly acidic to neutral, well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun to partial shade; mashua is one of the 'lost crops of the Andes' — a climbing nasturtium relative that produces edible tubers at the base of its twining stems. It is the most productive of the Andean tuber crops (producing more calories per unit area than potato under appropriate conditions) and is naturally resistant to insects and some nematodes through bitter compounds in its tissues. The tubers have a distinctive sharp, peppery, mustard-like raw flavor that mellows dramatically when cooked (especially by frost exposure) to a sweet, starchy taste similar to parsnip. The attractive red and orange tuberous nasturtium flowers are edible and ornamental. Mashua is a short-day plant that forms tubers only when days shorten in fall — it performs best in zone 7–9 where frost is not severe but fall days are distinctly short. Спосіб посадки: Посадка бульб Відстань між рослинами: 12–18 дюймів Висота: 36–84 дюймів --- Час посадки: -2–2 тижнів spring Plant tubers 3–4 inches deep in moist, slightly acidic to neutral, well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun to partial shade; mashua is a short-day plant that initiates tubers only as days shorten in fall, making it best suited to zones with mild fall weather. Spring through fall is the growing season.