Chopped ginger root added to sauces for meat and fish dishes, without the original taste of ginger it is impossible to imagine Christmas cookies and cupcakes.
This is interesting! Southeast Asia and India are considered the homeland of ginger, which is where its fame came from. The rhizome of the plant was used to flavor dishes, but soon ginger’s healing properties made it much more significant.
You can read more about the beneficial properties and contraindications of ginger root here.
Ginger, which thins the blood, facilitates digestion, and improves immunity, was very expensive, because almost magical properties were also attributed to it.
It was believed that it ignites passion in women men maintain masculinity into old age . And they took powder or a piece of ginger root with them on long journeys to ward off evil spirits.
Since it became possible to buy not only powdered ginger, but also the whole rhizome, the secret of the plant has become accessible. Now it is grown on almost all continents . And not only for industrial purposes.
Exotic lovers decide to experiment out of curiosity and wonder: is it possible to grow ginger at home? Yes, because in order to grow ginger at home, it is enough to purchase the root in a store or market.
Ginger is grown at home most often as an ornamental annual plant. The planting material is the rhizome.
In the photo you can see how ginger grows and blooms:
Features of the plant
Ginger is a perennial herb. Belongs to the Ginger family and has 140 species. Translated from Sanskrit it means “horned root”, as it is called in the trading network. In fact, ginger, like any plant, has the following structure: root, stem, leaves, flowers, fruit.
Root
It represents a fibrous root system, consisting of a rhizome from which green above-ground shoots grow, cork tissue covering the rhizome with cells filled with yellow-green essential oil.
Stem
Round, without fluff, erect with internodes.
Leaves
Simple alternate with a rounded apex.
Flowers
Collected in spike-shaped inflorescences, consisting of five fused sepals.
Fetus
It is a three-leaf box.
Pruning and loosening the soil
In industrial cultivation, ginger is not allowed to bloom in order to obtain a better root harvest. So in our case, if you are not focused on decorating the windowsill, but want to get only a food product, then already at the bud stage, without waiting for the ginger to start flowering, trim these parts. Thus, more effort will be spent on the development of the underground part.
In the summer, when the threat of return frosts has passed, it is better to take the pot out onto the balcony.
The best results will be shown by planting in a greenhouse. If possible, to get a good harvest, it is better to transplant the sprouted ginger root into protected soil (around May). At home, the harvest of root ginger will always be modest. Root growth will be no more than 200%.
Ginger cultivation: varieties of ginger, methods of growing ginger: (read more)
Home care
When growing ginger at home, you must adhere to the basic rules of caring for it. What you need to know:
- Place the pot on the windowsill of the south window, but at the same time shade it a little with a curtain.
- Water moderately, without excess.
- Apply organic and mineral fertilizers in a timely manner.
- During wintering, do not water and keep cool.
Location and lighting
During the growth period, the plant can be located near windows in any direction, but in the south it is necessary to shade it from direct rays with curtains. In the north, he may not have enough light, then he will have to additionally provide artificial lighting.
In summer, a pot of ginger can be taken out into the garden or onto the balcony, placed in a place protected from direct rays of the sun and drafts.
Temperature
Ginger is a monsoon plant and goes dormant. To ensure its constant activity, you must adhere to the following temperature regime:
- in summer +20-25°C;
- in winter +18-20°С (not lower);
If the plant needs to create a dormant mode, then the temperature needs to be +10-15°C. When kept in rest mode, the temperature should be at least +12-14°C.
Watering
The intensity of watering ginger depends on the time of year and temperature.
In summer, abundant watering is necessary; the water should be settled and soft; filtered water can be used. In winter, at temperatures of +20°C and above, water after the top layer of soil has dried.
In dormant mode and in a cool room (+10-15 degrees), watering should be done only after the soil has dried. More often it is not recommended, the roots may rot.
Air humidity
Ginger prefers high humidity. During the growth period, regardless of the time of year, at temperatures above +20°C, it is useful to spray with soft, settled water.
The soil
The ginger mixture is best prepared from the following ingredients:
- 1:1:1:1 – humus, humus, sand, garden soil;
- 2:1:1:1 – greenhouse soil, peat, sand, rotted manure.
The components must be thoroughly mixed and placed in containers at least 25 cm high. You can use mixtures purchased in the store.
Feeding and fertilizers
During the growth period, when the root is formed, which, in turn, is a storage organ, it is necessary to apply fertilizer once every 10-15 days.
Ginger very well accepts organic fertilizers from mullein and bird droppings, which must be applied alternately, maintaining a proportion of 1:10 and 1:15, respectively. You need to be especially careful with bird droppings to avoid burning the roots.
During the initial growth period, you can water it with a urea solution. The growth of rhizomes is promoted by potassium sulfate at the rate of 50-60 g per 1 square meter. meter. There is no need to feed the plant in autumn and winter.
Selection and timing of fertilizing
The development of ginger should be supported with fertilizers. They are usually applied every 2-3 weeks, and the mineral content is adjusted depending on the desired result:
- nitrogen stimulates the growth and development of leaves;
- potassium fertilizers affect the formation of buds and flowers;
- phosphorus promotes the growth of rhizomes.
Note! For feeding, it is better to use homemade organic fertilizers (since the root is planned to be eaten)
By the end of summer, about a month before the foliage of the flower withers, watering begins to be gradually reduced, and fertilizing is removed completely. This is necessary for a powerful rhizome to begin to form.
Bloom
Much is known about the medicinal and culinary properties of ginger and almost everyone has heard about it, but very, very little is known about its flowering. In addition to common ginger, which is used as a medicinal and culinary product, there are a large number of varieties of ornamental ginger that have very beautiful flowers that are a unique sight.
Ginger flowers grow on long stems, and one inflorescence may contain petals of different shades.
All their beauty lies in their special structure, for example:
- Zerumbeta ginger produces rose-like flowers;
- Remarkable blooms powerful, corn-cob-shaped flowers of a bright pink hue;
- The Kasumunar variety has orchid-type flowers and is white in color.
Flowers appear after the second or third year of growth. Plants bloom for quite a long time.
Lighting temperature and humidity
As already mentioned above, the ginger flower does not really like direct sunlight (there is a risk of burns on the leaves). But a slightly shaded place or with diffused lighting is perfect for him.
Here we again remember the plant’s home climate - warm and humid. In a dry room, spray and water the ginger more often. It is advisable to maintain the temperature at least +15°C, but not more than +20°C. While waiting for germination, the temperature can reach +22°C, and during the active growth phase - +25°C.
Reproduction
Ginger is propagated by dividing the rhizome (cultivated ginger does not produce seeds). The rhizome is cut into pieces with a sharp knife, each of which should have at least 2-3 buds. Prepared planting material to activate the buds can be placed in warm water for a while, then planted in shallow containers to a depth of 2-3 cm and placed in a warm room.
Before the first leaves appear, watering should be moderate and the humidity should be high. Soil composition with pH 5-6. To obtain healthy and suitable for growing seedlings, the rhizomes must be in the soil for at least 10 months.
Purchase
When choosing a root to plant, pay attention to its condition. It doesn’t matter where you buy it, in a specialty store, at the market or in the vegetable department of the supermarket, the only condition is that the ginger root must be fresh .
Look out for these signs:
- the skin should be even and smooth;
- the root itself should not be damaged;
- a wrinkled and fibrous piece of rhizome is unlikely to germinate;
- you cannot take frozen ginger;
- there should be several living buds on the root, similar to potato eyes.
Important! To grow ginger from the root at home, before planting, place it in warm water for several hours .
If you have purchased a large enough piece of rhizome with several buds and bridges, you can carefully divide it and try to grow several plants
Growing ginger
Ginger is grown in several ways, depending on its further purpose. They are grown in greenhouses and indoors for food consumption, and also to produce a flowering plant.
Growing in a greenhouse
There are two things you need to do first:
- Soil preparation - loosen to a depth of 30 cm. It should be loose, of medium acidity. Add humus, add 60 g per square meter of nitrophoska. It is advisable to create a drainage base from large pebbles or pine chips.
- Planting seedlings - rhizomes with shoots in April-May are planted in prepared and moistened soil in pre-made grooves about 20 cm deep. Seedlings are placed 30 cm apart. You can sprinkle humus on top.
Growing indoors
As with propagation, cut the ginger rhizome into pieces and plant it in a container. Flower pots, unnecessary pans, and other objects with a depth of at least 25 cm are suitable for this. Plant to a depth of no more than 3 cm. After about a month and a half, the first sprout will appear.
For everything to go smoothly, the following conditions must be met:
- create heat (+25-30°C);
- high humidity, spraying with soft water;
- provide moderate watering until leaves appear;
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
For example, if ginger is planted in February, then in November you can harvest it by first stopping watering and waiting until the leaves and stems of the plant dry.
Cultivation to produce a flowering plant
Decorative varieties delight owners with beautiful colors. By the way, these flowers can also be used as medicine. In order to be able to contemplate the beauty of blooming ginger, you need to know and fulfill the following conditions:
- Water moderately, avoid excess moisture.
- Carry out mandatory spraying to create humidity.
- Apply fertilizers twice a month - potassium salt, superphosphate.
- In autumn, reduce watering and remove the plant to a dark place (basement).
- In the spring, change the soil and replant.
Blooms for approximately two weeks. With such agricultural technology, ginger grows almost everywhere.
Ginger is not grown in open ground in Russia, only in the southern regions as an annual plant.
How to protect ginger from diseases and pests?
Ginger is highly resistant to diseases, so even when grown in an open substrate, the species is practically not affected by infections and pests. But to ensure that the quality of the plants does not decrease, they should be treated with special means. The best method of protecting plants from fungi is considered to be spraying with Fitosporin; as an alternative, you can replace the drug with 1% potassium permanganate. Such procedures are performed periodically, every 2–4 weeks.
Of the pests, the crop is most often affected by spider mites . To combat insects, use any contact insecticide. However, if you plan to use the root of the bush in economic activities in the future, it is better to replace chemicals with folk remedies. The most effective of them is considered to be a soap solution, which is periodically sprayed over the above-ground mass of the plant.
Ginger in a home pot is not exotic at all, but a very real indoor inhabitant. Despite its exotic nature, growing this plant in an ordinary apartment is not difficult. To do this, you should prepare the root tuber for planting, comply with the requirements of the crop in fertilizing, watering and the necessary microclimate. In return, the plant will delight you not only with a fragrant harvest, but also with an exotic decorative appearance.
Medicinal properties
Ginger is a universal medicine from ancient times. Almost cures all diseases.
- Contains ten antiviral compounds used in the treatment of viral infections.
- Medicines and tea – helps people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, eliminates nausea and vomiting. Relieves symptoms of a cold.
- Powder - used in the treatment of inflamed joints, arthrosis, arthritis using lotions and compresses.
- Essential oil - to calm the nervous system, lower blood pressure, normalize blood composition, prevent blood clots, inhalation.
- Ginger oil is used to massage diseased areas of the body, drops are used to eliminate flatulence, indigestion, and cramps.
- Ginger is used as an antidote for seafood and fish poisoning.
- The use of the root is indicated for expelling parasites from the body.
- Promotes burning of subcutaneous fat during fasting diets.
- Ginger improves memory.
- Helps tighten and smooth the skin.
Description and varieties of crops
Ginger is a perennial plant with thick roots that are eaten as a seasoning. It has a pronounced sharp and fresh aroma and the same taste. Has a positive effect on the immune system.
The plant has tall stems, reaching 1.5 m in height, and elongated, pointed leaves. The flowers resemble cones - the same layered, scaly ones. The color can be pink, red, crimson, orange, brown, yellow. Sometimes the colors blend smoothly into one another.
The main places of growth are India, Australia, China, Jamaica, West Africa, Indonesia. Due to the high demand for the crop, high doses of mineral fertilizers are used to increase the weight of the roots during cultivation. This reduces the medicinal qualities of the plant. There is positive experience in growing ginger in Russia.
See an overview of useful properties:
At home and in places of industrial cultivation it is a perennial plant. At home, it can be grown as an annual crop.
There are two ways to grow ginger:
- For 1 year. When growing for roots, it is necessary to provide the plant with a wide, low pot.
- For flowering, a tall, large pot is preferable. Flowering occurs in the 2nd year.
Growing ginger begins with the purchase of planting material. The purchased root tuber must meet the following requirements:
- smooth light skin;
- elasticity and lack of drying out;
- there is no mucus on the broken areas;
- growth buds in the form of small tubercles are visible;
- There is no smell of rot or mold.
It can be difficult to find planting material - in stores they break off the buds, and it will not be possible to grow ginger from such a root.
Later, when the ginger grows, it will be possible to propagate the plant at home by dividing the root. It is impossible to grow ginger from seeds.
The most prolific varieties are “Barbados Black” and “Bengal White”.
How ginger blooms at home
To grow a flowering plant, the rhizome is dug out of open ground and brought home. Warm wintering conditions allow ginger to bloom the following year. If the culture grows at home constantly, then no manipulation is required.
Based on the type of flowering, the following types are distinguished:
- zerumbet – the flower resembles a rose;
- cassumunar - white flowers, somewhat similar to orchids;
- purple – has a powerful peduncle with a bright red flower;
- Japanese - produces the most fragrant flowers;
- wonderful - blooming with scarlet flowers that do not fade for a long time.
To watch a video about the flowering of a plant:
Kinds
This family contains more than 140 species. Ginger has long been relegated to the category of garden plants. Breeders have developed quite a few varieties, slightly different from each other in shade, roots, aroma, size and shape. All known varieties are defined in two groups:
- white - ginger from this group is more gentle, not bitter;
- black – has a sharp aroma and pungent taste.
The most common of all types is ginger officinalis.
Just one look at the ginger root arouses interest due to its shape, but there is no need to talk about its benefits - it is a treasure trove of useful substances that can support our immunity all year round. Therefore, the presence of this root in the house, along with onions and garlic, is mandatory. It is unpretentious in care and, having set the goal of growing it in your home, it will not be difficult to achieve results. All it takes is desire.
Rules for planting ginger from the root in a pot at home
To successfully grow this plant at home, you must plant the seedling correctly. Despite the fact that ginger is a specific crop, its planting is practically no different from the propagation of any tuberous or bulbous crop. To do this, you only need to properly prepare the soil and seedlings.
How to germinate ginger from root tubers?
Ginger can reproduce in two ways: by fruit or parts of the bush.
In the first case, a genetic exchange occurs between two daughter plants, due to which a new specimen grows with an exclusive set of genes. At the same time, the plant does not lose varietal characteristics.
Reproduction by parts of a bush is the so-called vegetative method of forming new plants . In this case, a young sprout can be obtained by germinating leaves, stem shoots and root tubers. This makes it possible to instantly propagate the species and obtain genetically identical specimens.
Description of culture
Ginger root is a dense and hard part of the plant, slightly yellow in color, with a thin skin. Ginger root has a unique spicy aroma and pungent taste. Despite the fact that gardeners are not interested in the stem part of the plant as a useful raw material, flower growers are not averse to planting ginger in their flowerbeds, since ginger has high decorative properties. A distant relative of tulip, cardamom and turmeric, native to exotic Asia, ginger attracts gardeners with its delicate yellow-red flower that forms on one of the plant's many stems. Home-grown ginger reaches 1 m in height. The room in which this culture lives is filled with a subtle aroma of lemon. Many gardeners rightfully believe that the ginger root is, in fact, its stem. Its complex, lumpy shape bears little resemblance to the refined root we are accustomed to. But no matter what part of the plant the familiar ginger root is called, growing it at home will not be difficult.
