Extremely easy to care for and excellent for food: today we’re going to talk about how to plant ginger and its countless benefits. First, it is important to emphasize that this root requires little space to be cultivated, since its need for light is only partial. Another advantage is not having to water as often.
Ginger is a root of Southeast Asian origin and was one of the first spices to reach the Mediterranean. Its consumption is dated approximately 3 thousand years ago. There is even a record of the use of ginger to season meat sauces in general before the birth of Christ.
The ginger plant belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and is native to the island of Java, India and China. In our country, ginger was introduced by the Portuguese around the 16th century.
Characteristics of ginger
The ginger plant is herbaceous with long stems, its leaves are usually long and narrow. Its extremities sprout flowers very similar to orchids, in greenish-yellow tones. Its size can reach up to 1.5 meters in height.
Climate
The climates that most favor production are tropical and subtropical, hot and humid. The most suitable temperatures are between 25 °C and 30 °C and with precipitation of 1,500 mm/year. Take special care during long periods of drought, as ginger must be irrigated. However, be careful with too much moisture in the soil, as it can rot the roots.
Over fertile, loose soil, it should be well drained and rich in humus. The soil pH should be in the range of 6.0 to 6.5, however, if it is below this value, liming must be done to correct the acidity.
Care when planting ginger
Because ginger is a tropical plant, its preference is for warm places. Therefore, the plant should be in an area that always has sun, however, without being direct. The idea is to leave your vase near windows or doors. Another important point is to water the ginger frequently, so as soon as the sprouts start to sprout, add plenty of water.
In the case of harvesting, you must be aware of yellowish stems, this means that the ginger is at the right time to be removed. This time varies from 7 to 12 months, so pay attention to the development of the plant to harvest it at the right time.
However, it is essential that the soil is well fertilized so that the ginger receives all the nutrients that are important for its growth.
Ginger has fiber, sodium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, protein, potassium, zinc, copper, thiamine, selenium, riboflavin, and niacin. In addition, he is rich in vitamin C, with oxidants which help to fight free radicals, i.e. aging and helping in the immune system.
How to plant ginger in a pot
Ginger is considered an aromatic plant, is widely used to season foods and make teas. If you like to have fresh options on hand, learn how to plant ginger in a pot! You will need:
- A large vase;
- Several medium-sized stones.
- land for planting;
- Fertilizer;
- Ginger pieces.
- Planting method:
- First, take the vase and place the stones in its bottom;
- Then add the chosen land and fertilizer;
- Finally, place pieces of ginger vertically.
How to grow ginger in a PET bottle
How about reusing that PET bottle that would go into the trash? The packaging can replace any vase. First of all, gather the following items:
- A clean PET bottle;
- A stylus or a sharp knife;
- Various pebbles;
- Own land for planting;
- Fertilizer;
- Ginger pieces.
- Check out the step-by-step guide on how to plant ginger in a PET bottle:
- First, cut the tip of the PET bottle, leaving it in a vase shape;
- Then make small holes in the bottom and add the pebbles for better water flow;
- From now on, put the soil plus the chosen fertilizer;
- That’s it: just place the pieces of ginger vertically inside the PET “vase”.
How to plant ginger in water
Learn now how to plant ginger in water following our tips. However, before you start, you will need:
- One ginger (approximately thumb-sized or slightly larger). In fact, look for a root that is light in color and firm, with small, knobby buds at the tip;
- A large, deep pot with a drainage hole;
- Own land for planting;
- Own fertilizer;
- A bowl;
- Warm water.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to plant:
- First, prepare the chosen pot, filling the pot halfway with soil and fertilizer, which should be rich and well-drained;
- Now, you should soak your ginger in a bowl of warm water for several hours or overnight until it buds;
- Then plant the ginger root with the bud pointing up and cover the root with 1 to 2 inches of soil;
- At this stage, you will have to be patient, as growing ginger in a pot usually takes a while, but water the soil carefully;
- In about two to three weeks, you will see shoots emerging from the root;
- Place your vase in a warm place, always with indirect sunlight. If the plant is outdoors, leave the ginger in a place that receives sun in the morning, but is in the shade on hot afternoons;
- Be careful with the cold, in particular temperatures below 10°C;
- To harvest ginger, keep an eye out for when the leaves start to turn yellow (typically 8-10 months later).
