Allotments 4 All

Has anyone had any luck growing ginger?

I stuck a piece of supermarket ginger root in a pot of compost and it has sprouted a shoot about 9inches, with a few leaves. It's now in an unheated greenhouse and wondered whether it is likely to survive the winter. Anyone know how big they can grow? Not sure if any more root is growing underneath or whether there is less than I started with!

I always got impatient - Google 'growing ginger', for the 'horse's mouth, and look at Growing Lifestyle - note  frost sensitive! - Tim

I tried growing ginger last year, and gallangal (similar to ginger, but used more in Thai cookery)  The ginger grew very quickly prodicing masses of growth, and looked kinda like a canna.  However, some rotted away, me being over friendly with the watering can, and the rest didn't survive the winter!  Tut!!  I shall try again next spring.  I have a fabulous pot of lemon grass though, I keep this in the greenhouse and have had it for about 3 years now.  Just took a stem of lemon grass from the supermarket, bunged it in the pot, and off it went!   ;D

oH DEAR-I do feel inadequate :-[-no joy with ginger-Lemon grass is fine but it has to come inside(behind me in my study) in the winter.

I found that one must keep the crown bone dry in the cooler months to prevent it rotting.

On the subject of the slightly more exotic- has anyone ever got caper seeds to germinate?

Stephan.

thanks for the advice. Does anyone think an Exotics section on this site might be a good idea, or is it OK under 'Edibles'? Growing exotics seems to be such a hit and miss thing, I think it could benefit from the combined wisdom of this group!

EJ - you have warmth? Or just very green fingers?  - Tim

PS - Just LOVE galangal!

Hiya Tim, I have warmth, and lots of lagging thanks to hubby!  Overwinter all tenders in the greenhouse - the conservatory is tooo crammed already!

I love trying to grow the weird and wonderful - I have Bird of Paradise about to burst into flower for only the second time in 15 odd years!