Is this a ginger?
 

Is this a ginger?

I lost the tag on it.

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

Yes. It looks very much like my Curcuma zedoaria. I should have some pics of it in my photo gallery.

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

Looks better than my ginger.. :^)

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

Thanks Brent! I'll check your photo gallery.

I hope you don't mind, Brent, but I posted your photo here.

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

No problem at all, Dean. I should have said "tentaively" zedoaria, as there are several Curcumas that look like that. Mine had four or five blooms this spring.

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

I'll ask a rookie question. Is this the same type of Ginger that is used in Asian cooking?

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

Some are used in shampoo as well... :^)

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

Just as with many plants (sage, Peppers, even Bananas) there are types that are more ornamental and others that are more grown for food. Cannas were originally a "food" plant also, as are elephant ears.
Most of the gingers you'll see posted here are of the ornamental variety.

You could buy ginger at the grocery store and plant it, but it won't have flowers as nice at the ornamental ones.

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

Thanks Mike. I might just try the local krogers and plant one just to see what happens.

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

You can do the same thing with Elephant ears, I've got one coming up right now that I bouth as "Yautia" at a Latin grocery store.

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

I've grown both ginger and taro from the roots at the grocery. They both perform spectacularly each season. The taro (Colocasia) is used in the shady part of my garden by my water bowl, and the ginger is in the afternoon shade.
Amazing what you can grow from things you get at the grocery.

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

There are at least 5 gingers that exhibit the red midstripe on the leaf. Inodora, Zedoaria, Aeruginosa, Ornata, and Yunnanensis. Additionally, Curcuma "Scarlet Fever" also has the red midstripe but the stem of this ginger is very red, kind of like the Sealing Wax Palm red.

Steve

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

Thanks Steve! I need to go dig around in the mulch and see if I can find a tag.

I found a tag buried in the mulch. It said, Panama Purple.

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

Dont mean to barge into this thread but I have a bunch of gingers I have them in pots there doing real good. There in the sun should I put them in the shade ? I know some are the shampoo gingers and the others Im not sure what kind they are.
Thanks

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

A few gingers can take full sun but most can not. Medium sun is better and by that, I mean good morning sun, and maybe a little late afternoon sun. Hedychiums in particular seem to prefer more shade. Globbas and Kaempferias require full shade. If you would post your list of gingers, I might be able to help more.

Steve

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

Steve I have two pots full of shampoo ginger one pot it a verigated ginger I will have to get the names together on them and than I have a bunch people have given me im not sure the name of. I better get them out of the full hot sun.
Thnaks Steve

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

I guess I'll find out what kind I have when it flowers since the neighbor doesn't have any idea. :^)

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

The shampoo ginger needs medium sun. There are lots of ginger that carry the name "variegated ginger". Most frequently, the ginger most associated with the name variegated ginger is Alpinia Zerumbet Variegated. Have you seen the bloom? That ginger will grow in more sun but will look shabby.

Steve

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

No I haven't and not going to get any more till I figure it out.. I have a nice space for some more with partial sun. :^)

Re: Is this a ginger?
 

I have few Hedychiums growing in full sun for about 5 hours a day as long as they get deep water soaking few times aweek..lol..all my costus and curcumas get morning sun up to 10 am then they are shaded for the rest of the day. I have nearly 60 named gingers..lol..plus with more on the way..