Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a vegetable that originated from Indian and it’s a very popular herb in Asia that adds flavor to food dishes. Most people have started using this herb in almost all their dishes because of the enticing that comes along with it.
The famous spice has traveled all over the world and is second only to pepper. It’s such a spice you’ll love to try to your delicacies if you haven’t done so yet.
In this article, you’ll know the family of Ginger, where it can be grown, its benefits, how to grow in a container, etc.
The plant is a family of Zingiberaceae and can be grown where there’s full sun or partial shade. It is a potent superfood with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effects, and many people cherish it for its ability to soothe an upset stomach.
The rhizome is the modified stem we know as ginger roots. The plant’s underground root system is ginger rhizomes, whilst the erect system is long aerial shoots and leaves. It’s harvested in the winter after being planted in the summer-spring.
How To Grow Ginger In A Container
The following are guidelines to help you grow your Ginger in a container and get a huge harvest.
- To begin, go to the grocery shop or nearby garden center and purchase Ginger roots that have not been treated with chemicals to avoid growing.
- Soak your new ginger root for 24 hours to clean it before chopping it for planting.
- Make a drainage hole in the bottom of a deep container. Keep in mind that the thumb-size slice could mature into a 36-inch (91-centimeter) plant, so use a large pot. Fill the container with a potting medium that is loose, rich, and well-drained.
- Then, with the bud facing up, plant the ginger root and cover it with 1 to 2 inches of soil (2.5-5 cm). Sprinkle with water.
- It takes time to grow ginger in a container, so be patient. In two to three weeks, you should observe sprouts developing from the root.
Conditions For Growing Ginger In A Container
The following are conditions necessary for growing your Ginger in a container:
1) Temperature
The ginger plant prefers open, sunny environments, although it can also thrive in partial outdoor shade. Set your containers in the correct order.
2) Soil requirements
If the ginger plant is to generate large rhizomes, it requires loose, well-drained soil. Add a high-quality potting mix with plenty of additional compost.
3) Fertilizer requirements
Use fish emulsion, seaweed extract, or another organic fertilizer like bio-compost and Vermicompost to fertilize the ginger plant every six to eight weeks.
4) Watering of the ginger
The ginger plant needs to be well-watered. The container should be irrigated with a watering can in the shape of a shower.
Read also: Can you compost ginger?
5) Harvesting
The initial harvesting can take anywhere from 5 to 6 months following implantation. Ginger rhizomes should be ready to harvest when the plants reach a height of at least 3-4 feet.
Otherwise, when the leaves start to turn yellow, which takes around eight to ten months, it’s time to harvest ginger. When the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, bring container-grown ginger plants inside (10 C.).
Remove some of the soil around the container’s outside edges and feel around for rhizomes to harvest small portions as needed. When you discover one, cut what you need from the outside edge using a sharp pair of scissors, then carefully return the remainder of the root to the earth.
Living in South Africa? Learn when to plant ginger in South Africa
Conclusion
I hope you find this article helpful. I would like to hear from you. So, let me know if you have any questions about growing ginger in a container. Also, learn how long it takes ginger to grow here.
References
- Agrifarming “Ginger farming techniques in container” retrieved from here
- GardeningKnowHow “Growing Ginger In Containers: How To Care For Ginger In Pots” retrieved from here
