How to Plant Malaysian Ginger
Malaysian ginger, a perennial ornamental, is originally from the Malay Peninsula of Southeast Asia. A tall growing plant, usually reaching between 6 and 10 feet tall, Malaysian ginger is a relatively hardy plant; its roots can survive to a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit. It produces clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers that resemble the appearance of crepe paper, which is why it is sometimes called crepe ginger. You can plant Malaysian ginger from rhizomes in early spring, March through April. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Malaysian ginger rhizomes
- Hoe
- Shovel
- Amendment
- Trowel
- Planting stakes
- Fertilizer
Instructions
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Choose a good planting site for the Malaysian ginger. A good location offers three to five hours of direct sunshine each day, as suggested by Floridata.com.
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2
Cultivate the soil in the area you have selected for planting the Malaysian ginger. Use a shovel or a garden fork to work the soil 16 to 18 inches deep. Use a metal rake to sift the soil, removing rocks, sticks or any rotting vegetation from the soil.
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3
Place about 2 to 3 inches of leaf mold or well-aged manure across the soil in the planting area. Use the fork or shovel to incorporate the amendment into the soil, mixing it in thoroughly.
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4
Dig holes for each rhizome about 1 inch deeper and wider than the size of the rhizome. Measure out the distance from each hole if planting more than one Malaysian ginger rhizome. Space the holes 3 feet apart.
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Cover all the Malaysian ginger rhizomes with no more than 1 inch of soil.
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Push in 12- to 14-inch-high planting stakes around the perimeter of the area you planted to mark the area for watering and to prevent anyone from inadvertently walking across the area.
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7
Water the area thoroughly directly after planting using a steady mist of water, but do not drench the soil so it becomes soggy. The Malaysian ginger rhizomes will sprout in two to four weeks depending on growing conditions.
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Tips & Warnings
Provide regular watering throughout the growing season. Provide at least 1 to 2 inches of water weekly, or more if there is no supplemental rainfall.
Fertilize Malaysian ginger once a month beginning in spring when shoots begin to emerge. Use a balanced granular fertilizer such as 14-14-14 or similar. The instructions provided on the label will tell you how much fertilizer to use.
To protect the rhizomes over winter, place about 3 to 4 inches of leaves, grass clippings or similar material as mulch over the planting area.
