Achiras grow best when placed in full sun on well-drained, rich or sandy soils. Vegetative growth begins when the winter cold ends and progresses throughout the warm season until the first frosts occur, at which time the aerial part of the plants dries out and the underground rhizome remains as a reserve organ, which will remain dormant (i.e. its buds remain dormant, with no cell divisions and very little metabolic activity) until temperatures begin to rise again.
▶ In areas with mild winters, the rhizomes can remain in the soil during the winter. However, in regions with very harsh winters (e.g. where the surface soil horizon freezes down to -10°C) the rhizomes should be taken out of the soil as soon as autumn is over and stored, protected from the low temperatures (above 7°C), until spring.
▶ Credits: GAD-BM – [Image of Public Domain]
The rhizomes should be planted 10 to 15 cm deep, 50 cm apart. During the growth of the stems and leaves, the plants can be fertilised with mineral nutrients (containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium) if the soil is not well endowed with them.
Similarly, adequate moisture must be maintained throughout the growing period as achiras do not tolerate drought. Watering can be spaced out or eliminated when the leaves begin to dry out at the beginning of the cold season..
Achiras can also be grown in pots or containers, where care must be taken with regard to watering and nutrients such as fertilisers..
NOTE: Reference material