I've had this Kahili ginger for three years and it grows strong and fast, but it doesn't bloom.
Is there anything I should be doing to it or for it?
Also, I've had a white bird of paradise for three years and it's about 6' tall and very healthy, but it doesn't bloom either.
Both plants are put in cellar over winter and are in full sun in Atlanta at this time.
Suggestions?
Kahili Ginger
I don't know about the Kahili ginger, but I do know that many require a longer growing season than a temperate climate allows.
And it seems the bird of paradise will take a very long time to bloom . There is a thread on Carolina Gardening about it.
Tropicanna,
Thanks for the speedy reply.
I grow Plumeria, White Ginger and several other tropical plants here in Atlanta and have very little trouble. I've even grown bananas.
I know they suggest you let the Kahili Ginger get potbound and it is and I know the Bird of Paradise needs to be several years old, but mine is six years old, six feet tall and looks really healthy.
I guess I'll wait until next year.
Thanks,
Paul
Yeah, my white butterfly ginger blooms here with no problem in zone 7b-which is much milder than Atlanta. I just started w/ gingers last year, but the ones I planted mid-summer (Elizabeth &Flavenscens) never did bloom. I kept them inside for winter and hopefully that gave them the kickstart they need. Are yours in lots of sun? Cause I wonder if mine were not in quite full sun enough.
Here is the link on the white bird of paradise thread on Carolina Gardening-there is also a link in there to a thread I started on Tropicals about it: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/714119/
I stubbornly hold out hope that mine will flower one day though :)
Kahili ginger is hardy here in my zone, so I assume in Atlanta it would be as well. I would leave it in the ground over the winter and let it build up the rhizomes and it should have a better chance of blooming that way. When it gets cold , mulch heavy over the rhizomes and cut the foliage back.
Tropicanna, my Elizabeth was in the ground over the winter and came back very nicely. I planted it last summer, and I am hoping that it blooms this summer.
I have a white bird of paradise-have had it for a while, but I seriously don't think it will bloom in a container in this area. I must like the foliage!
I left some of both in the ground and brought some in, too-paranoid, I guess.lol
did it come back?
The Elizabeth has come back-the Flavenscens still looks alive, but no green yet. I put out some Ti plants too-no growth but the roots seem alive.
Hey Tigerlily,
You gave me a great idea. I leave the white gingers in the ground over winter so, with all the rhizomes I can keep some indoors for protection and I can leave the rest outdoors to give them more growing time. I had not realized the kahili is cold tolorant.
Tropicana,
Thanks for the website.
Paul
The reason your flavescence may not bloom for you is because it is a later bloomer and that far north it doesn't have enough time. The colder your climate the more you need earlier bloomers like white butterfly, chrysoleucom, Daniel Weeks, Tara, Pink V.. etc.
Gardnerianum doesn't have to be pot bound to bloom, it isn't one of our most reliable bloomers here either.
In Atlanta you should have no problems growing in the ground, well mulched.
Liz
