Thanks all!
Barb, is the white curcuma 'domestica'? I need to move mine to more sun, it is not blooming yet. The C.Violet I bought from Tim a couple of weekends ago. I think it goes to z.8.
The many faces of Gingers
Barbara, what is that second one you posted that you said is fragrant? it's gorgeous.
I'm Hooked,what will I need to do to overwinter the ones I have?can I dig them and store bulbs like I do cannas,(which I did not have good luck with last year)
Root, for the ones that aren't hardy here, I just keep them in pots and when they start going dormant in the fall I quit watering them, bring them inside where they won't freeze and forget about them till spring. No matter how tempted you are to water them in the winter, let that pot stay bone dry and leave them dormant. When they start growing in the spring(and some take forever to come up) then you water them. I only killed one last winter. It just looked like it needed water and I gave it a drink. It promptly rotted!
tiG, the second one is a Hedychium, possibly one of the many hybirds.
Root,I don't know too much on how to care for storage of gingers because I can leave mine in the ground year 'round. I do know that when they start going dormant (due to shorter days,less than 12 hours of sun) you should taper off watering them. I know that they need to be kept on the dry side during storage and held over in a peat mixture.
Thank you Ladies,sounds like something I can do Kell,I will have to put a sign on it,DO NOT WATER,I am bad,I think everything needs a drink.
Lisa it looks like your are doing great in shade?do I have mine in too much sun?
Root,
When dormancy begins, go ahead and dig them up. They can be divided at this time as well. Many of the Curcuma varieties have a 3-4x multiplication rate, so in no time at all, you can have quite a collection.
You'll want to store them in a dry, absorbent media, like perlie or vermiculite.
Depending on when the weather warms in your area, start them inside about 4 weeks before you'll have consistent temps of 70 or higher. Plant them in the pots, and add water. Keep them in the hottest spot you can find. Min of 70 with 80'-90' ideal. Water when the top of the soil is dry. Once the weather warms up, move them outside to the aprropriate sun level depending on the variety.
Bward,
Would you allow me to use your cordata white image for my retail site in exchange for some rhizomes? I'll give credit for the image as well.
Chris
Curcuma a. Kimono Pink
This is a dwarf variety
Curcuma a. Tropical Snow
This is a tall variety.
Thanks Chris,great info,will they take the watering I give my other Tropicals,or do I need to move them to a dry area?those sure are some cuties you showed!all of these have really got me tempted and they don't sound like they will be too hard for me to keep over.
Hey Root, if I can do it, anybody can!
Root. Most of the varieties are really thirsty during their blooming days. The only time for concern is when dormancy sets. You'll want to get them out of wet ground pretty quick, because if they're not growing, they'll rot. The alismatifolia varieties seem to rot the easiest. I lose quite a few in Florida if we don't have a drier than average fall and winter.
They're pretty forgiving though during their active stage. I water tehm daily here, and if I forget, these leaves will start to curl in. They open right back up with a drink.
Lisa, the white is curcuma 'domestica.'
ALL RIGHT!The hand is off from over my eyes!I'm hooked,what will be the best time to ask for trades?Fall or Spring?And what do you tease a ginger nut with?More Ginger!?
John That is too cute!!!!
OK,OK,You're killing me!!!
No matter how many I get I still can't get one to bloom....and I kept a bunch of them growing in the GH ALL WINTER LONG!!!
What am I doing wrong!!!!!!!!!
uhmmm...you live in zone 5a.... ;)giggle
But I move them in a HEATED GH for the winter...
I know thats cheating...but........
What varieties are you growing?
I Dunno.....
One is plain green with longish leaves......someone sent it to 4 years ago as butterfly ginger.....its about 3 feet tall.....
I have 2 that are varigated,one is Zerbert which I've been told is a shy bloomer,the other I have no clue
and I have some other tall ones ,green leaves ,from the co-op......
Do they all go, or do you allow them all to go, dormant? Knowing so little regarding what you might be growing, it sounds like they may be putting in all of their energy just to keep going. Many varieties of ginger require that dormant break to kind of regroup. The rest period they require is being interrupted by keeping them in warm conditions during their expected down time. While this can be ideal in forcing them, they can't be forced year round.
Let them completely go in the fall and keep them out of the GH. Inside is fine, but not in any real heat. Toss them back in the heat around March and get them going again. I have a customer flowering them in Anchorage, so I'm confident you can flower certain varieties in NY.
I was told if I let them die back they'd never bloom.....LOL
No CC, only certain kinds flower on second year growth. The hedychiums are hardy here and they still flower after dying completly to the ground in the winter.
like I know what a hedychium is.....LOL
Butterfly ginger is one.
OOPPPSSSS.....
boy,that would save me some space........
Send Em to the Root.
Chris, were you able to use the photos of the Costus' I sent you?
Lisa, I plan to leave mine in the ground year round; I think they will be okay here in 8B.
Buried T, all the ones I got from you have came up and looking good. Cannot believe they grow so fast!
Hopefully, next year, I will have lots to share, if I don't kill them.
Cala, I killed Path. Probably killed it with too much water, fertilizer; wish I would have left it alone , like Country Music, growing great. I hauled Path in and out, when we were threatened by a hurricane, moved it all over the yard trying to find the right light, and sevin dusted it - I did everything, and it died. It is not altogether dead, just no leaves. And the little stalk is looking frail.
If I put them in the ground in an area of my yard that does not freeze would they winter over?
CC, you have a spot that doesn't freeze???
Just today I look through this thread and I'm whithout words!
Thanks for showing the pictures, there is no way that I'll ever have one of those, not available over here and this is the only mean I'd have to enjoy your beauties.
Congratulation and good luck to all of you with such a wonderful plants
Cristina
Yes ,down in my leachfeild,the upper part doesnt get too wet,I've planted garlic in febuary there and cannas have wintered over in there.....
Hi Lisa,
Unfortunately they were just too dark, but I appreciate you letting me try. I have about 30 coming up in the front yard now, so I'll get some good pics out of them. I also discovered my Red Heeler thinks they're are bones. He dug up about 15 in the back yard. He was kind enought to place them all in one little pile for me though.
Look for some really good pics coming in about a month. I head to Japan and Thailand in August to see these all first hand as well as the fields and processing areas.
Lisa..............now ya gone and done it, gal....I'm gonna have to get into my mattress again!!!
"eyes"
LOL Eyes! My mission is to spread ginger fever through out gardenland..heh heh
Chris, I had a Blue Heeler at one time, great dogs! Her name was Meggie.
would any of these pictures work for you?
or this one?
That's the one I killed. I am hanging my head in shame.
*gasp* YOU KILLED MY GINGER????!!!! Baaaad suz, baaaad girl.