Curcuma petiolata has beautiful Hosta like tropical looking foliage that grows from 3 to 4 ft. tall. In late spring to early summer it will produce long lasting yellow flowers with pink bracts. The flowers are found down in the foliage - thus the common name "hidden ginger". These are very easy gingers to grow and they will increase quickly to a large clump if you lift the rhizomes and divide them in early spring.
They are hardy to USDA zone 7B, but Curcumas have a natural dormancy period during the winter dry season, even in the tropics, and can easily be lifted for winter storage in colder areas. They also can be grown in pots and stored indoors during dormancy. Some Curcuma species are prone to rotting of the rhizomes during dormancy, and should not be kept too wet during winter dormancy.
This species is more tolerant than most with winter-wet conditions, making it easier to grow.
Light: partial to full shade
Moisture: Average moisture, drought tolerant, but grows best with even moisture.
Why I sell rhizomes (underground tubers from which plants are propagated)
instead of plants with green growth and leaves.
instead of plants with green growth and leaves.
Ginger
grown from rhizomes establishes plants quicker than if small plants are
transplanted. The energy in a nice fresh rhizome will make a bigger
plant faster than if you buy a little plant in a 4" pot because the rhizome already IS a big plant (it just hasnt yet put out top growth). Rhizomes
divisions dont suffer transplant stress like plants with leaves do.
THIS SALE IS FOR 1 RHIZOME climatized to bloom here
WARNING: DO NOT BUY GINGER FROM CHAIN STORES:
They get their gingers for the most part from Costa Colors, based in Miami, and they get their rhizomes directly from Thailand where they are field harvested and some never rebloom here. My rhizomes are grown here and climatized for blooming here in Louisiana and are blooming every year in partial shade.
WARNING: DO NOT BUY GINGER FROM CHAIN STORES:
They get their gingers for the most part from Costa Colors, based in Miami, and they get their rhizomes directly from Thailand where they are field harvested and some never rebloom here. My rhizomes are grown here and climatized for blooming here in Louisiana and are blooming every year in partial shade.