Re: Ginger

Marie,

A friend just gave me the piece that I have, and I don't know much about
them either.

Mine is a tropical plant and, therefore, must be brought in for the winter.
They like it hot and somewhat moist.  Give water for 9 months of the year,
and let it rest during its dormant period.  Tubers can be lifted and stored
over winter like a dahlia, but you will sacrifice flowers.  Can also bring
pot indoors and just leave for the winter.
Most gingers thrive in good light and love the hot, humid summers we have
here in PA.  Light requirements vary depending on the particular plant you
have.  They are heavy feeders and can benefit from a feeding of Epsom salts.
There are few pests that bother gingers and diseases are few.  This info cam
from Fine Gardening, August 98 issue.

There are also the wild gingers:  Asarum europaeum is a vigorous, evergreen
perennial growing from rhizomes that have large, heart-shaped leaves that
are quite glossy.  They hide very small, brown flowers that appear in
spring, but you have to look for the flowers.  Grows 6 inches in height and
spreads and spreads and spreads.

There is also a native asarum that I see growing along streams in woodsy
areas in PA.  I also grow it as a groundcover in my garden, but can't
remember the name of it.  Its been doing well for a number of years in a
fairly dry, heavily shaded area.

Don't know if you have the wild ginger or the tropical, but hope this helps
some.

Ginny

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