White (Butterfly) Gingers in Central Texas

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kenaipd May, TX Aug 10, 2011

I can't remember if I wrote on this before but I have some butterfly gingers that have been in the ground several years. They come up really pretty after winter and even though they are somewhat more in the shade than in the sun, they do get plenty of sun yet soon turn yellow brown and appear to be dying. At the same time, new shoots are coming up. Once out of the ground good, they never look good and never bloom. I try to water them daily. I keep them mulched and see no signs of any bugs or diseases. As you know here in Texas we have had intense heat all summer, running in the low 100's and no rain whatever. All of my plants, including my cannas, etc. seem to be doing the same thing as the gingers so I have to feel it is the intense heat. Any other thoughts?

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Aug 10, 2011

I would not water them daily. A good slow soaking once a week should be enough for them. You did not mention if you fertilize them or not. Even some of the more drought tolerant plants are having problems this year with the combination of no rain and intense heat. Perhaps the full sun exposure is your problem. Most info I find on them suggest part sun to shade. I have some planted in morning sun only and some that are growing under a live oak that only get very dappled light and they are blooming...not as heavily as usual however.

http://www.magnoliagardensnursery.com/productdescrip/Hedy_WhiteBut.html

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kenaipd May, TX Aug 18, 2011

I will fertilize them and water less and see what happens. Any fertilizer suggestions? Thanks.

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Aug 18, 2011

If they are planted near a large tree, you may need to soak them a couple times a week as the tree will compete with them for water. If they are getting afternoon sun, especially now with the heat and drought, you might try giving them extra shade..even if it is a patio umbrella during the hottest part of the day. Mulch also help keep the plants roots cooler, so maybe some extra added mulch would help.

As for fertilizer any basic water soluble like miracle grow will work. I usually try to work some 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 granular into the top soil in the spring and water it in before I add mulch.

We have had some really hot windy days here and I notice that some of the thinner leaved plants get a bit of a "sunburn/windburn" not much you can do about that save for making sure the plants stay well and deeply watered.

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