Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Use containers at least 14 inches deep, as plants need 12 inches of soil. Sow seeds
1 inch deep and with 4 inches between seeds. Give each vine a pole to climb. Fertilize
about once a month.
Ginger, page 144
Zingiber officinale
Even if the fresh root were not essential to Chinese and many other cuisines, ginger
would be worth growing merely as an ornamental houseplant. Start with a whole knob
showing at least one bud; plant it 3 inches deep in a 6-inch pot. When the shoots have
reached about 10 inches, repot in a larger container. From then on, repot as needed.
A 5-gallon container accommodates the full-sized plant. Fertilize every two weeks with
half-strength liquid fertilizer.
Keep the soil moist. If you grow it in the house, put the pot on a tray of pebbles and
keep the pebbles moist to humidify the air around the plant.
Don't put ginger in full sun until shoots are 3 inches high; partial or even full shade
is better. It can be set outdoors once the air is warm and the nights no longer cold. Bring
indoors for the winter when the nights drop down to around 50°F. (See page 146 for
how to give plants a rest.)
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