Ginger root

I have just been given a bit of (culinary) ginger root that appears to be starting to sprout. It appears that you can make it grow, as once I got past the medical references on Google, I managed to find this. http://www.plantcultures.org/plants/ginger_grow_it.html

Has anyone done this? And what does it do - does it flower?

 

I keep trying this and get plants 1-2' tall which haven't yet survived the winter- they are supposed to die back but mine don't come up again :(
What they do is produce more ginger roots!
They don't often flower in uk but can produce a crop without flowering.

 

Seeing this, I got three pieces rooted last year and had nice leaves but no flowers and then the leaves died off.

I'll go have a gentle "root" to see if I can find more roots!

 

Many thanks Liz (very speedy!) and L of L. I will have a go. However I think the requirement of a minimum temperature of 28C is pretty daunting. Its a shame there won't be a flower - but a chalenge is good fun, and I can always eat it if I get bored with it :D

 

Marley, I went out between the showers and there is nothing in the ground! Maybe mine rotted with the winter rain.

I don't think I'll bother again as it is so cheap to buy, 20p for a good sized piece ... and my leaves were tatty looking as well!

It's the same with Lemon Grass, grows and spreads quickly but looks tatty.

 

Mmmm, Marley, that's interesting ... I'll keep my peepers peeled.

I hate to say, I think I've overtaken Pal tonight in postings and am second to you ... will have to go look ... :eek:

But, we'll NEVER catch up to our rosa ... bless her

 

I agree Marley - the ornamentals gingers look more fun to grow. Thats a very nice site. I see that it says they are all hardy down to 0 F, I understood they needed winter proctection. Is it a problem of wet rather than pure temperature?

And do you think Elizabeth will really grow to 9 foot tall here? I fancy that.

 

I was just looking through Chiltern's catalogue and they have four varieties, so I shall have a ponder on this.

PeterS, there's one listed (H Stenopetalum, the Slenderpetal Ginger) that can grow to 12 foot or more :eek: and produces 18 inch spikes of ghost-white flowers with curled petals that are fragrant. Mmmmm!

 

Thanks L of L and Marley. That zonal map of Britain is the best one I have seen. But as it says British zones are differant from the notionally same American zone.

It is great to see that there is a good range of gingers here. But they are expensive when you add carriage. Perhaps the sensible way to start is with seeds from Chilterns - H Stenopetalum looks good 8 - 12 feet and nearly hardy.

One thing I love about this forum is that you can start on one subject and end up being introduced to something totally new. I owe the light chamber that I made to a post by someone. Perhaps I can use my chamber to grow a pot plant (potted ginger of course). :D

 

Hello Peter, there are some wonderful ornamental gingers out there and the Hedychiums are very easy for someone new to gingers.
H. coccineum "Tara" is a lovely, lush easy one with lovely flowers too and reasonably hardy.

Good luck!

Fletch