Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

Jumping off the banana wagon for a moment I wanted to show some of my other passions that folks might be interested in. Instead of individual pictures, I'll leave a linkto my PictureTrail album. Thanks for looking!
Kabby
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...2392&members=1

Re: Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

Kabby,

Very, very nice hedychiums. And I thought I had a lot. You've inspired me to take pictures and post as well. Maybe we can do a swap. I've got some that maybe you don't have and I know you've got some that I don't have.

Steve

Re: Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

Nice!

My first and only ginger is a Luna Moth, and it's just starting to flower.

Question: Are gingers in any way related to orchids? Some of the flowers certainly remind me of orchid flowers I've seen.

Also, the Hedychium family of gingers, are they edible like the ones used in cooking? Or are they just ornamental?

Thanks!

~Joe

Re: Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

Those are fantastic shots!

Re: Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

Thanks for all the compliments. Steve we just may be able to do that swap. I have about a dozen hedys that haven't bloomed, I hope to get at least 2 of those to bloom this yr. I sold the heck out of several last yr but have plenty of other cultivars. And yes please do take pics!
Joe I've never heard of anyone eating hedychium rhizomes before. They smell good to me when digging but I haven't been tempted to take a bite out of one or cook with it. And no they aren't related to orchids(that I know of) but I can see the resemblance that you are speaking of.
Kabby

Re: Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

Joe,

They are not related to orchids. They are in the same family as bananas, heliconias, and Birds of paradise. Hedychiums are not edible to my knowledge.

Kabby,

I'll get a list together of the hedychiums I grow and send you a PM.

Steve

Re: Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

After researching it, I had no idea there were so many different families of gingers! I'll definitely not try to eat mine!! :chefnaner:

Here is a picture of my Luna Moth - it sure looks set to flower, but has been this way for a while. Since this is my first ginger can you tell me when it will bloom? (I'm counting down the weeks until everything dies or gets moved indoors!)



Thanks,

~Joe

Re: Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

Awesome ginger pics, Kabby! Thanks for posting!

Re: Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

Joe I'm not sure when you will bring your ginger in but give it plenty of water and full sun for the remainder of your season. The culture is essentially like bananas, water, fertilizer and sun but less sun for us here in the south. And fertilizer wouldn't be a good idea now since your plants will be soon be brought in for the winter.
Anyway it shouldn't be too much longer before it blooms, you will love the scent! Sun and water!
Kabby

Re: Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

I received an unknown variety of hedychium ginger in a plant swap. It has good sun and plenty of water, but appears to be getting some leaf burn (scald). Should I move it into the shade? Without knowing the variety, I'm planning on moving it inside this fall. Advice? Pic was taken on 8-5-07 url=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5260&ppuser=1040][/url]

Re: Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

Great pics you guys!!!! I have only been growing gingers for a few yrs.. Man.. they test my patience.. I have a few Heliconias going..:nanablowskisses: I can't wait till next yr for they to bloom.. Yep!!! They are coming in for the winter..
Kylie

Re: Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

My 'Luna Moth' has finally flowered, and has beautiful flowers and a fantastic smell. I'm very sad, however, at how short the flowers lifespan is. Just a few days and they're done... I guess I was expecting a flower more like the heliconia which seems to last forever, my Andromeda still has all of its flowers which started coming up in June.

But I will certainly grow gingers next year, hopefully some other types, because even those few days of flowering are certainly worth the effort!

Pics to follow...

~Joe

Re: Hedychium gingers and crinum
 

I haven't checked in lately but lo and behold I find that your Luna Moth has bloomed Joe! That's great! No the flowers don't last that long but when you get a clump of hedychiums going, you can catch that scent wafting on an afternoon breeze and it's magnificent. Drought has played havoc with mine this yr. I was doing fine with watering until the 2 straight weeks of 100 deg weather in August. I didn't poke my head outside unless I had to.
Saltydad yes your ginger looks like it has too much sun. Moving to a little more shade is an option but I find that my gingers in particular are stunted and don't grow to the heights that they do in full sun. Once your gingers are established, water them like you would a banana, they can't get enough.