or can propagate vegetatively using basal shoots, pieces of stem or suckers. Vegetative propagation is the technique that is used most often. If a plant is reproduces using a basal shoot it can usually be harvested after one year. If a sucker is used then it may be a longer period of time before the plant can be harvested. Mauka is planted into holes in long narrow grooves that are one meter by one meter and must be earthed carefully. In Ecuador, farmers intercrop mauka with maize to optimize soil structure for root development. Mauka can grow with a minimum of of rainfall, optimally with an annual rainfall between . The absolute minimum pH level that mauka can survive with is 5.5, but the optimal level is between 6 and 7. Mauka is usually harvested annually but can be left in the ground for long periods of time. After two years of growth yields increase substantially. Potential advantages of Mauka for poor farmers are that it is very inexpensive to reproduce because it can be done by vegetative propagation and once it is planted it requires very little labour. A potential disadvantage is its long growing period. Poor farmers may not be able to wait two years for it to reach its optimal yields. Stress tolerance Mauka is a stress tolerant crop. “It can be grown at cold, windy altitudes above 2700 meters”. It is able to survive in places of constant winds and near-constant chill, two factors that place heavy physical strain and stress on the crop. An advantage of Mauka for poor farmers is that it can stand up to such harsh conditions making it an ideal crop for regions of high altitude and harsh weather. Intercropping Intercropping with maize is a very useful solution for preventing attacks from slugs and certain types of insects that dig into the plant's underground root. Intercropping provides a much stronger soil structure that will help the root develop. Intercropping increases predator biodiversity, which in turn helps limit pest outbreaks. An advantage of this pest solution is that many farmers already grow maize; however, a disadvantage of this solution is that some poor farmers cannot afford to intercrop. Consumption and uses Mirabilis expansa yields a large amount of edible stems and storage roots. The roots of some forms if eaten directly can irritate the mucus membranes, and should be sun-dried and boiled