Ginger originated in Asia and is an herbaceous plant rich in vitamins and minerals. Its pungent flavor is ideal to enhance the taste of dishes and spice them. This perennial tropical plant is cool and requires a minimum heat of 50 °F. For this reason, it is preferable to cultivate this rhizome in a pot. However, learn how to successfully grow ginger for a bountiful harvest.
Ginger is a vegetable plant, but also a spice. This rhizome is used to flavor dishes thanks to its peppery taste and also has medicinal properties. In order to take advantage of ginger and obtain an organic and abundant harvest, it is important to successfully cultivate this Asian plant.
How to successfully grow ginger and get a rich harvest?
To grow ginger, you need rhizomes, not seeds, because ginger does not produce seeds. The rhizome is an underground stem that bears aerial roots and stems. To achieve an organic harvest, it is important to choose organic rhizomes, which you can find in health food stores. These have not been treated and therefore can easily germinate. These plant roots should also be strong and not wilted or stunted. Also, choose rhizomes that contain multiple growths. Your harvest will be more generous.
To grow your ginger in a pot, it is important to choose a large container that is also deep to encourage root development. For example, you can opt for a planter box that accommodates up to 3 ginger rhizomes per container. To promote drainage and prevent root rot, place clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot. Then fill 3/4 of the pot with a mixture of 2/3 potting soil and 1/3 river sand and lightly press down. Plant the rhizome flat without pressing it completely into the soil. Part of the rhizome should remain visible. Then water and make sure that no water remains in the saucer.
After planting the ginger, place the pot in a sunny, warm place and avoid direct sunlight. Note that ginger is a tropical plant that likes heat around 77 °F and constant humidity. If your ginger has not yet developed its roots, it is recommended to water moderately, as even the slightest excess can cause your plant to rot. Wait until the first leaves appear and the stems rise to water the soil more regularly. In fact, it should not stay dry. However, avoid standing water in the saucer or planter.
Ginger grown indoors can be susceptible to scale insect infestations. To avoid this, it is recommended that you aerate your plant as often as possible unless it is cold. To do this, place your pot in the garden or on the patio for a few hours, especially in the summer when it is not cold. In case of a mealybug infestation, soak a cotton ball in alcohol and run it over the foliage.
When to harvest ginger?
Ginger can be harvested 9-10 months after planting. When you notice green parts of the plant beginning to dry out, you can dig up the rhizomes for consumption. To get a ginger with a lemonier flavor, remember to harvest it after only 6 months of planting. You can also fragment the harvested rhizomes to plant them and make a new crop. However, make sure that each rhizome fragment contains at least one bud. However, if you respect the needs and requirements of ginger, you will succeed in growing this spice plant and obtain a generous harvest, even without having a green thumb.
