Zone Ten Nursery

Tropical Plant Rhizome

Planting and Growing Instructions

Prepared ginger rhizomes

Most heliconias and gingers, which are related to bananas, cannas, prayer plants and birds of paradise (all in the order Zingiberales), will thrive and flower in full sun up to 80% shade but the ideal for most of these plants is somewhere around 30% (light or intermittent) shade. Many will grow indoors or in a greenhouse. A few species, (Globba, for example) require at least 50% shade. Some of the gingers are surprisingly cold hardy, though they may go into dormancy in colder areas. Some do that anyway. The Ginger page on this web site gives plant hardiness zones for the species we carry at our nursery.

Warm and humid conditions are favorable during growth periods, but the soil should not be soggy, especially when first planting a rhizome, or fungal rot may occur. We make clean cuts on divided rhizomes, then soak them for a half-hour or so in a bucket of water containing a fungicide such as Captan. We then remove them and plant them right away with the fungicide still on them. (Refer to our Rhizome Division page for details.) If you purchase prepared rhizomes from a mail order company, they will probably have all of the roots removed. They will probably still grow, but it will take a lot longer for them to get established than if healthy root tissue is in still in place.

A rich organic soil containing peat makes for a good growing medium, though we have many of these plants growing in calcareous rock soil and they do survive and increase, especially when mulched. Many gingers die back to the soil during their dormant period (winter or the dry season). They do not need to be watered during this time. Cut away the brown leaf stalks as they form in the fall. Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can stunt plants, but we do (briefly) get temperatures at the nursery down into the high 20's, and haven't lost any of these plants yet. We irrigate continuously if the temperature falls below freezing.

Choosing a spot out of high wind will help to preserve the lush look of the leaves. The ideal planting time is spring and summer. Trying to start a rhizome outdoors in fall and winter may result in a lower success rate, but it isn't impossible. Plant the rhizomes horizontally 1 to 3 inches deep with any obvious growing points pointing away from a border such as the edge of a pot. Stems and the stubs of cut stems should protrude above the surface of the potting mixture. What you should do is attempt to orient the plants similarly to how they were growing before they were divided.

Liquid and slow release (pelletized) fertilizers containing minor elements along with regular watering will ensure good foliage production once growth begins. This should occur within 2 to 8 weeks from planting depending upon the species, the growing conditions present and the time of year. Winter dormant species such as Hedychium spp. or Zingiber zerumbet, for example, may take many months to start growing if planted in the fall. As the rhizomes become larger, they may be divided and re-started, or left as they are to fill in larger areas.

These plants are not accustomed to growing in the impoverished soils of South Florida. They have evolved to grow in rich volcanic soils, so they don't get all the nutrients they need here. Well-drained soil is usually the best and organic matter and mulch along with adequate moisture (but not soggy soil) is a good starting place. After one of our "cold" winters especially they sometimes need a bit of a pick-me-up cocktail. Here is what we use in addition to a regular (say 2 or 3 times a year) application of a balanced fertilizer with minors:

For each gallon of water, add:

one tablespoon of a complete liquid fertilizer such as Peters 20-20-20 with minor elements (sometimes called micronutrients on the label)

plus one tablespoon of potassium nitrate

and one tablespoon of epsom salts. "Epsom salts" are actually magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. Our soils are deficient in magnesium and these plants need it.

Beginning in late winter or spring, apply as both a foliar spray and as a soil drench every two weeks until the plants start looking green and healthy. After that, once a month is usually sufficient. All these chemicals are fairly inexpensive. This treatment is actually good for just about any plant, but is especially helpful for the Zingiberales and other herbaceous tropicals like aroids. (When you want blooms, you can substitute one of the "Bloom Buster" formulas of liquid fertilizer. They will have a formula like 10-50-10 or 10-60-10.)

 Tom and Linda White, Zone Ten Nursery

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS page last updated 7/31/02

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