How to Plant Pink Ginger
Pink ginger (Alpinia purpurata) is a semi-tropical to tropical, herbaceous perennial flowering plant. Under ideal growing conditions, pink ginger can grow to as high as 15 feet, but usually grows to between 3 and 4 feet tall. It has deep green foliage and slender, 12-to-32 inch long leaves. Pink ginger is coveted for its unusual cylinder-like blossoms, which make attractive cut flower arrangements. Plant pink ginger in pots so you can bring them indoors when temperatures fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Choose suitable planting pots for the pink ginger. The pots should be large enough to allow the ginger room to grow, but not so large that you cannot easily move the pots.
- Pink ginger (Alpinia purpurata) is a semi-tropical to tropical, herbaceous perennial flowering plant.
- Pink ginger is coveted for its unusual cylinder-like blossoms, which make attractive cut flower arrangements.
Sterilize the planting pots to help prevent the pink ginger from developing a fungal disease. Pour 12 cups of water into a large bucket or basin. Add 1 1/2 cups of household bleach into the water. Soak each of the planting pots for approximately 30 minutes. Rinse off with hot water and set aside to dry.
Fill up the planting pots halfway with a good-quality potting mix. Mix together 1/4 peat moss, 1/4 perlite (or vermiculite) 1/4 fine sand and 1/4 dehydrated plant-based compost to create your own potting mix.
- Sterilize the planting pots to help prevent the pink ginger from developing a fungal disease.
- Fill up the planting pots halfway with a good-quality potting mix.
Divide the rhizome clump into four smaller sections. Each section should have approximately one to four stems. To prevent water loss, cut back each of the stems.
Dust each of the pink ginger rhizome clumps with a broad spectrum fungicide according to the directions on the product's label. A fungicide can also help prevent the pink ginger from developing a fungal disease.
Plant one pink ginger rhizome into each of the planting pots. Push the rhizomes gently into the soil to set them in place. Scoop in approximately 2 inches of soil over each of the pink ginger rhizomes.
- Divide the rhizome clump into four smaller sections.
- Dust each of the pink ginger rhizome clumps with a broad spectrum fungicide according to the directions on the product's label.
Put the pots into a location where it was warm during the day, and cool at night. The location should also provide protection from direct sunlight and wind. Provide a daytime temperature of approximately 60 to 65 degrees F, and nighttime temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees F. Keep the soil in the pots moist, but avoid over watering.
Move the pots once the pink ginger rhizomes have sprouted and are actively growing, usually three to four weeks after planting, depending on conditions. To prevent the blossoms from scorching, the location should provide dappled shade throughout the day in hotter southern climates. In cooler northern climates, provide morning sun and afternoon shade.
Tip
Fertilize pink ginger once a month during the spring and summer using a 1-1-1 or 3-1-5 fertilizer. Use granular, or liquid fertilizer according to the suggestions the manufacturer specifies since spread rates can vary greatly by manufacturer.
Pink ginger grows best when the temperature is at or above 60 degrees F.
Provide pink ginger plenty of water during the summer season. Water when the soil at a depth of 1 inch feels dry to the touch.
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Tips
- Fertilize pink ginger once a month during the spring and summer using a 1-1-1 or 3-1-5 fertilizer. Use granular, or liquid fertilizer according to the suggestions the manufacturer specifies since spread rates can vary greatly by manufacturer.
- Pink ginger grows best when the temperature is at or above 60 degrees F.
- Provide pink ginger plenty of water during the summer season. Water when the soil at a depth of 1 inch feels dry to the touch.
Writer Bio
Katelyn Lynn has been writing health and wellness articles since 2007. Her work appears on various websites. Lynn is a certified holistic health practitioner who specializes in orthomolecular medicine and preventative modalities. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in health sciences from TUI University and has extensive experience in botany and horticulture.
