Steve L

Olaf,

The hotel staff did you a big favor. You could never grow Alpinia Purpurata in your zone except in a conservatory in the ground. What they gave you is what is know in the US as Costus Spicatus but is misnamed and is really Costus Scaber. Nevertheless, it is easy to grow in a container and although it goes dormant here in my zone 9 along the Louisiana Gulf Coast, I don't think it has a natural dormancy period. So you should be able to bring it inside during your winter, cut way back on watering, and eliminate any fertilizing. It should continue to grow slowly. Spicatus and/or Scaber can grow in some shade. I would place the container near a window that gets some sun during the day. Your main goal is not to water too much as this will rot the corm. Good luck.

Steve