Anyone grow curcuma?

I don't know the first thing about curcuma, I done a few searches and looked in the PF, but I am not finding any answers to my specific questions. The little bulbs on mine are pretty dried out, and all have either totally broken off the parent (??? I don't know what to call it, sorry, still a newbie...). Are they still viable? WIll each little bulbet make a new plant or do they need to be connected to the top portion? Each arm is totally dried out and cracked, it's hard to see that from the photo, and every little bulb is just hanging on by a thread...

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I would really like to save this plant if at all possible.
Raven

I am hoping that Chris (buriedtreasure) will come along and answer your questions since he is the curcuma guru. If not, drop him an email. I know he has the answer.

I have an answer. I called Chris with the same question. As far as the little tubers that have come off, he said to throw them away. they are the plant's food source and once broken are of no value.

Treat the end that does not have the tubers as the "head" and the tentacles as the "feet". Dig your hole and insert feet down, with head 1 1/2" below soil line. Cover, water and watch grow. Chris said part sun or shade is best. Can grow in sun but eventually leaves will burn and dry out and who wants that? Then again Oregon sun is not as brutal as TX or FL sun, so perhaps you can get away with it, if you must.

I planted mine yesterday per above instructions. I forgot to ask how long before green starts peeking.

I went to our arboretum plant sale yesterday, and they had curcuma C. Cane for $30 a little plant. I really felt that I'd gotten a treasure from Chris after looking at that price tag. The tag said it naturalizes so I am looking forward to a sea of Cand Cane. LOL

Thank you so much for your help vossner, my heart is much relieved now! A planting I go! :O)

Raven

I just ordered several bulbs from you but am not very good at knowing how to plant them... what soil to use, how much to water, spacing, and best light conditions...etc. Anyone have any ideas??

The following is what I ordered:

Canna Lucifer 'Dwarf'
Costus variegata
Curcuma a Blue Moon
Curcuma a. Candy Cane x. Deep Rose
Habranthus Cherry Pink
Kaempferia rotunda
Zephyranthes carinata