How to Grow and Care for Ginger Herb

Ginger is a perennial herb which originate in the southwestern coast of India. Gingers were introduced to the West approximately 2,000 years ago.

The edible ginger, "Zingiber officinale", is only one of 1,350 species of the diverse Zingiberaceae family.

This article will show you how to grow ginger for many uses, including the addition of new colors to spice up your home interior and garden.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Planter
• Potting soil
• Water soluble fertilizer
• Ginger root
• Gardening tools
• Patio, deck, yard, or garden (all are optional)

1. 
    
   Red ginger flower

   Buy fresh ginger roots which already have new buds cropping out. You can find them in the supermarket.

2. 
    
   Ginger herb

   Plant the root in a small pot, and barely cover the root with quality potting soil. To speed up the growing process, cover the pot with a plastic bag and placing it in a sunny location in your home.
   
   The root needs very little water; it will rot in overly wet soil.

3. Remove the plastic bag when you see the first shoots. At this point, you can either transplant to a bigger pot or plant it in the garden.
   
   In both cases, place the root in a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight and water it regularly (once a week is more than enough); damp soil, not soaking wet. Since ginger originate in tropical regions, it prefers tropical temperatures between 70-82 degrees F. and moderate to high humidity.

4. In the growing season, feed them once a month with a water soluble fertilizer.

5. 
    
   Pink ginger blossom

   Under optimum growing conditions, the stems will reach 2 to 5 feet tall with glossy, narrow, dark green color leaves that can reach up to 1 foot long.

6. 
    
   Yellow ginger flower

   Ginger is a multifaceted herb. Along with its flower, other than culinary and medicinal uses, it enjoys a special loving position in the botanical world with its elegance in color, form, texture, and beautiful symmetry.

Tips & Warnings

• The oils of ginger are used in making candies, perfumes, condiments, pesticides and medicines. In medical practices, ginger is used mainly for easing stomach distress, constipation, headache, and curing the common cold.
• The highest quality, most expensive varieties generally come from Australia. However, ginger is grown throughout the tropical areas on earth.
• Ginger blossoms are one of the most beautiful and colorful flowers in the world.

Resources

• Grow Your Own Ginger
• Information on Ginger / Wikipedia
• Fun and Rewarding Experience Growing Ginger

[Merriment]

on 1/31/2009 Oooo.... neat. I think I'll give this a try!