Bengali Ginger

In short: Bengali ginger (Zingiber rubens) is an undemanding perennial up to 1.2 m tall with orchid-like flowers. Soak the seeds 24 hours in water at about 20 °C, press them into substrate with pH 6.6 and germinate at around 22 °C. Water regularly but never overwater – that is the usual reason it fails to bloom.

Bengal Ginger

Bengal Ginger - (lat. Zingiber rubens) - belongs to the ginger family (lat. Zingiberaceae). Ginger originates from the tropical Asia region. Its origin is in India - Bengal (a region in Bangladesh, in the territory of western India). It is a very perennial and undemanding plant. It will bring joy to everyone, even amateur growers.

Ginger is among very decorative plants. It grows up to 1.2m in height. Bengal ginger belongs to the lower species. It has distinctly green leaves and contrasting red inflorescence (yellow with red dots). The inflorescence consists of hard bracts and delicate flowers that "sit" on the ground. Ginger blooms three weeks after the buds form. The flowers of Bengal ginger may remind you of orchid flowers. Ginger belongs to medicinal plants and can also be used in the kitchen. In the Himalayas, it is grown as a spice (seed capsules).

Sow ginger seeds into prepared substrate and let them germinate at room temperature. Place in a warm and sunny location.

Bengal ginger belongs to perennial plants. It blooms with very original flowers composed of firm inflorescence and petals resembling orchids.

Growing Bengal Ginger

Growing Bengal ginger requires the correct procedure. As soon as you receive your ordered seeds, soak them in water for 24 hours. The water temperature should be around 20°C. Maintain the temperature during seed soaking. Prepare a mini greenhouse with ventilation or a bowl with substrate. We recommend substrate for subtropical plants or one specifically intended for sowing. Ginger will also germinate in regular substrate for houseplants. The substrate should have a pH of 6.6. Press the seeds into the substrate moistened with a spray bottle. In the mini greenhouse, maintain a temperature around 22°C. In a bowl, you can place the sown seeds on a sunny windowsill. Spray the substrate surface regularly.

After you transplant the ginger plants, choose a sunny location for them. For its growth, ginger needs regular watering.

Recommendation: Between individual waterings, always wait until the water is completely absorbed and the substrate dries slightly. For ginger, moist, well-drained soil is ideal. Ginger cannot tolerate overwatering. If your ginger does not bloom, reduce watering to a reasonable amount needed for growth. It doesn't bloom due to overwatering.

Ginger flowers are what every grower wishes to see. Ginger has beautiful inflorescences similar to orchid wings, which "sit" on a firm waxy cone-like flower spike. Ginger flowers can appear both below the soil surface or slightly above it. You will be pleasantly surprised by their unusual beauty. Each flower blooms for about 4-5 days. The entire plant flowers for about a month.

Overwintering ginger is very simple. The stems seem to kneel to the ground and overwinter in this position. It can therefore be overwintered in the garden bed or in a covered room. Ginger is a hardy plant that can survive even colder winters. During winter months, do not water the plant, let the substrate dry out.

Ginger flowers are an interesting phenomenon in the garden, appearing both below the soil surface and on the surface. And in the next season, you will again enjoy abundant flowering.

Ginger is easy to grow, just like succulents, for example. Generally, they don't require more attention than a typical (average) houseplant. In colder months, move it to a warmer room and provide water and light. This is the only secret to successful ginger cultivation.

When repotting ginger, ensure sufficient perlite as a drainage layer. You can also mix perlite with regular substrate to lighten it. The roots will grow more easily and obtain nutrients.

Bengal ginger interesting facts

All ginger species are interesting. Some have magnificent, beautiful flowers, others have colorful or striped leaves. Most flowers grow on firm rhizomes that are easy to divide and propagate. The plant is now commonly grown worldwide. Its origin is therefore not clearly proven.

TIP: All ginger species thrive both in containers and in open soil. Just choose the variety you want to grow. You can find seeds in our e-shop.

Varieties are divided into sun lovers and shade lovers. Ginger flowers appear with good lighting. If there is too much light, they bloom and fade faster.

Do you like trying something new? Then try growing ginger from seed...

Will someone support you in growing? Share the article with friends on Facebook!

Author: Hana Michalíková