Dating back to the late 1700's, many are natives of Mexico and used by the Aztecs for medicinal and animal food. Now, they make excellent border plants, and long lasting cut flowers. Colours in shades of yellow, red and lilac-purple. Subject to harvest, T&M include D. coccinea, D. merckii, D. sherifii & D. tenuicaulis. Seed has not been harvested from the wild. Height 5 feet. Planting distance 27 inches.

Sow 6mm (¼in) deep from late winter to early spring at 20-25C (70-75F) in a good seed compost. Make sure that the compost is moist but not wet and seal in a polythene bag after sowing. Germination usually takes 7-10 days.

Transplant when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow cool and well lit. To ensure that you grow all the species in the mix, transplant all the seedlings whether large or small. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost 30cm (12in) apart in rich, moist soil and a sunny, sheltered spot.

Lift the tubers in the autumn before the frosts dry off and store in a cool, dry, frost free place through the winter.