I have some potted gingers. Some go dormant in the fall and I was wondering when was the best time to divide them. I store them in the garage when they are dormant (in thier pots).
If I divide them in the fall will they rot?
Would it be better to wait till spring and if so then should I wait until I see new growth on them before I divide? Thanks.
Dividing potted Ginger?
i would like to know also:)
I just divided some of mine----actually I waited until pretty late to divide some last year and bring them in, both the ones in pots and the ones outside came back fine...
but still an expert needs to speak cause I'm talking hedychiums and that may not be the same for everything else :)
Well I am glad I am not the only one who wants to know lol. I was beginning to think I asked a really dumb question lol.
not a dumb question at all...but no takers....hmmmmmm
Well get ready cause those root are tough!!!! I tried everything to divide mine and finally took saw type of gardening tool to some of mine and did a terrible job of dividing them. They make dividing OLD stands of daylilies seem like a piece of cake!!!
Judy
If your gingers are ones that naturally go dormant (Boesenbergia, Curcuma, Globba, Kaempferia and some Zingibers) then it is best to wait until spring when they are just beginning to emerge from their winter respite. Dividing in the springtime they are less apt to rot, in the winter the rhizomes have stored up food for the winter and are full of starches. Do not water your dormant gingers in the winter, no matter what zone you are in.
FYI: My mother taught me that there is no such thing as a stupid question :)
Liz
birdlady...so that means just let my littte babies stand here in the cold and go dormant? i am so sad,....they are so pretty:)
Birdlady, thanks so much for your reply. It makes perfect sense. I will wait till spring then- one less thing I have to do now:)
If a plant naturally goes dormant that means it needs a period of rest, for some plants it is merely because where they come from has a very dry winter, so therefor the plants survive by going to sleep during the dry periods. In zone 7a make sure your plants are root hardy there down to a deep freeze, otherwise place your dormant plants in a basement where they might over winter in safer temperatures.
Liz@GingerlandTropicals.com
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i have that plain vanilla yellow and green ginger....does that need to go dormant?
This message was edited Sep 22, 2007 8:11 PM
this is the one i have:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55244/
Your Alpinia is naturally evergreen and very cold hardy. It does bloom on 2 year old growth, so if it does freeze back it will not bloom. When it blooms it blooms the same as green Alpinia zerumbet. If you want you can overwinter it inside whenever it's going to below freezing. Take it outside on days when it's gong to above freezing.
Liz@GingerlandTropicals.com
liz..so does that mean it doesn't require a dormant period?