Ginger is a plant that is becoming more and more fashionable all over the world, although it has been used for centuries in Asia, for its many health properties. For this reason, more and more people want to have their plant at home, because if you have space, this way, it is much easier to take advantage of the root of the plant and ensure that it is as natural as possible. Learn all about how to grow ginger root step by step in this article.
Table of Contents
Properties and Uses of Ginger
As we mentioned at the beginning, the root of this plant is full of benefits and for this reason, it is widely used. The main health properties of ginger are that it is an anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, digestive, analgesic, antihistamine, antispasmodic, antitussive, antimicrobial, anticoagulant, and many more, all thanks mainly to the shogaoels and gingerols it contains.
The main uses of ginger for health are to prevent and treat respiratory problems, digestive, circulatory, pain in general and to have more energy, among many more uses. In short, it is a plant that if you can have at home is better not to miss the opportunity. Take note of the care and cultivation of the ginger plant.
How to Get the Ginger Root with Sprout for Planting
If you want to have the ginger plant in your garden take note of the first thing you need to do. First, get a good piece of ginger root or rhizome or leave it for a while in a place with some moisture to generate rhizomes. To do this, you can put the piece of ginger root or several pieces in a glass of water to absorb it for 3 or 4 hours, then remove the pieces and let them release a little water on absorbent paper, and then store them in a closed plastic bag, preferably with a zipper, and wrap it with a cloth. After a week, the first sprouts should appear on the piece of ginger rhizome.
Thus, the piece of ginger before planting will have to have some thinner roots, like threads of different thicknesses, as well as small green bumps or buds through which the plant begins to draw stalk.
How to Grow Ginger Root Step by Step
When you have this piece of root prepared with some sprouts, take note of everything you will need and the steps to follow to how to grow ginger root at home:
Materials
1 piece of ginger root or rhizome.
1 pot of about 16″ (40 cm) deep and as wide as possible or a wide piece of land.
3 parts of earth, if possible organic.
1 part of compost or worm castings.
Steps to Plant Ginger Root
Follow these simple steps to find out how grow ginger root at home.
1- Prepare the garden soil or pot. Make sure it has adequate drainage to avoid waterlogging and prepare the compost or humus and soil.
2- Fill the soil or pot with 1 part compost or humus and 3 parts organic soil.
3- Prepare the root piece and, if you have enough space or several pots, cut it into pieces to have one sprout in each piece and no more. It is okay if there are several in a single piece but if there is space it is better because the plants will grow more easily and with more space.
4- To plant the ginger you do not have to make a hole and place and cover the piece, but it is much better to bury it superficially. To do this, you just have to place the rhizome horizontally and carefully and with gentle movements go sinking it a little in the mixed soil, until you leave it more or less buried only halfway and leaving the buds or shoots out.
5- Finally, water the soil a little without touching the rhizomes directly, but around them, and you can put the pot wherever you want, taking into account what we say below.
Now that you have ginger planted in a pot or your garden, you will be interested to know that 3 or 4 months after it starts to grow, you can harvest some small pieces of the roots for your use. To do this, stir the soil along one edge until you find a rhizome and cut the right amount needed. Cover the rhizome well with soil and it will continue to grow.
Location and Temperature for Growing Ginger Root at Home
To place the ginger plant at home you will first have to be clear if you are going to have it outdoors or indoors. It will always be better to have it outdoors even if it is a small terrace or balcony where there is some shade.
So, once you have managed to plant the ginger, do not place it in an area of direct sunlight, as many hours of direct light and heat are not good for it and can damage the plant a lot. It is much better to place the ginger in a semi-shaded area.
The optimum temperature for growing ginger at home is between 68°F (20 ºC) and 69.8°F (21 ºC) and never below 50°F (10 ºC), as it does not tolerate intense heat or cold. Also, if you have the plant indoors, put it near a window or balcony where it can get a lot of light, but not the direct and strong sun, and avoid putting the plant near air conditioners or heating radiators.
How to Water the Ginger Plant
Finally, regarding the watering of the ginger plant at home, we recommend that you use, especially at the beginning after planting the rhizomes, water mixed with a little earthworm humus.
The best thing to do is to water lightly and frequently, that is to say, use a small amount of water at one time but the water often making sure that the soil is always moist but never waterlogged. To water correctly you will have to pour the water, whether mixed with humus or not, around each rhizome to avoid wetting them directly.
If you notice that the soil becomes waterlogged or that the plant seems to suffer from over-watering, if it becomes sickly, droopy, and dark, then it is best to repot the ginger plant to a new area or pot with new soil.
