Ginger Flowers
 Gingers are widely considered to be one of the world’s
most vibrant flowers. The plant, which is officially called Zingiber
officinale, is native to southwestern India. Although best known for its
flavorful root, gingers also make great additions to gardens and home
décor. The plant sports vibrant flowers in bold hues like purple and
yellow (curcuma ginger and cautleya ginger respectively). These flowers
are also remarkable for their unique shape, with petals blooming in
vertical tiers. The plant also has long, glossy green leaves, which can
reach up to a foot in length. In terms of height, a healthy ginger plant
can reach up to four feet.
 If you are planning to grow your own gingers, you will need to start
with a root that has some new buds peeking out. Once your root is
planted, its roots need very little room to grow. This also means that
gingers require minimal, but regular, watering. In fact, a surplus of
moisture will cause the plant to rot quickly. The ideal conditions
feature soil that is constantly damp yet never has an excess of standing
water. Additionally, gingers do not enjoy direct sunlight. Rather, they
should be placed in a bright area out of the direct path of the sun’s
rays. However, they do require warm temperatures reminiscent of their
tropical origins. Thus, they should be kept in an area that is 70 to 80
degrees Fahrenheit with moderate to high humidity. During the growing
season, the plant should be fed fertilizer once per month to ensure
optimum health. |
