Sunday, June 20, 2010

Second try at growing turmeric

Last year I bought some fresh tumeric tubers at our local fresh market and planted them in my garden.

They sprouted growth but never seemed very happy and the argentine ants invaded the tubers and the plants just died back. I lifted the few remaining tubers and stored them until late January after the last day of frost, then planted them and kept them moist in my little greenhouse. They only started growing in late April, seems they really need shady, moist, warm and humid conditions. In retrospect, I think the site was too dry and too sunny.

After they grew real leaves, I planted them in this box container and placed it on the patio where they will receive a few hours of direct sun, If I see them deteriorating, I'll move it to a full time shady spot, maybe under one of the trees.

So far the leaves are really beautiful kind of reminds me of shell ginger or even canna.

8 comments:

  1. They really do look wonderful!!! Very pretty! Turmeric is so good for you too...
    Looks like you found the perfect place for them!!! Yeah!

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  2. Yes, I've read that turmeric kill cancer cells. Now that I think of it, they are family of ginger, so no wonder the leaves look familiar.

    Have you had success with ginger ? I tried it but every time I get one single frond and then it dies and nothing further comes of it. Maybe I need to plant it in a similar container and keep it moist and in shade ?

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  3. The turmeric doesn't like our relentless full sun - some of the leaves were turning brown with that typical scorched look, so I have moved the container under the persian lime tree.

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  4. I have never tried to grow ginger. It could be fun. I am not in a state to try anything new though, right now, ...I planted Milkweed, and Basil seeds and all I have gotten is weeds! I'm really bummed at this point!!! It won't last long! :) LOL.

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  5. You have me wondering about th3e cancer rates in countries that use a LOT of Turmeric. Hmmmmm...

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  6. Plain old official ginger (Zingiber officiale) is not very ornamental, but some of the other gingers (not sure if they are edible) are truly gorgeous, take the variegated shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) growing all over our area.

    http://www.floridata.com/ref/A/alpi_zer_var.cfm

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  7. Hey Karel,
    With a name like that I'm guessing you're probably from South Africa! Me too...and I'm looking to grow tumeric and ginger so that's how I found you.
    Turmeric has a generally anti-inflammatory effct on the body. Inflammation is now known to be the underlying cause of cancers, heart disease and alzheimers. According to Dr Andrew Weil by reducing inflammation in the body you protect yourself from the early onset of these particular diseases.
    Turmeric generally is found in indian dishes and has a distinctive orange color.
    In Okanawa (not sure of spelling) which is a small island off the coast of asia the people drink turmeric tea and have a very low rate of these diseases.

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  8. In India and Pakistan, people sprinkle turmeric powder on their wounds which stop bleeding and enhance the natural healing process. People expert in home remedies also advise to drink turmeric powder dissolved in warm milk for the purpose.
    Turmeric powder is a must in almost all salty meals. People who grow turmeric plants sometimes make sweet dish (Halwa)from fresh Turmeric roots. Its a magical plant !

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