Gingeris widely known as a spice plant and is a frequent guest in our kitchen. However, in addition to its culinary values,ginger has valuable healing,and nutritional properties. Find out about alluses of gingerand see that you can grow ginger yourselfgrowing ginger in a pot byusing ginger in the kitchen !
Ginger - root
Ginger - application
Ginger(Zingiber officinale) is a thermophilic perennial that resembles a reed. It is closely related to turmeric and cardamom, and thehealing properties of ginger are especially appreciated .
Ginger produces a thick, tuberous, highly branched underground rhizome from which sprouts with long lanceolate green leaves. Inflorescence shoots also grow from the rhizome. They are covered with tiny scaly leaves, and at the top, yellow-purple, cob-shaped flowers bloom. Shoots grow up to 60-80 cm in height.
The homeland of ginger is Southeast Asia - India and China. However, ginger cultivation is also found in other regions of the world, primarily in Australia, Africa and Central America. We can trygrowing ginger in a potin the comfort of our own home.
Ginger as a spice plant was known in the Far East and Europe in antiquity. Ginger rhizomes are usedas a spice in many meat and fruit dishes, but also in baked goods. Ginger is one of the main spices in Asian cuisine. Among other things, it is included in the mixture of curry spices. It is eaten fresh or dried. In Asian cuisine, candied and pickled ginger are also used.
Thewarming and circulation-stimulating properties of ginger have been usedin cosmetics. Ginger is an ingredient in cosmetics that reduce cellulite and firm the skin. Since it also has bactericidal properties, it is used in the production of anti-acne cosmetics.
Ginger - growing in a pot
Ginger - healing properties
The healing properties of gingerhave been known to people for hundreds of years. It is widely used in herbal medicine and in natural medicine. In medicine, the ginger rhizome is used, from which the essential oil is obtained.One of the ingredients of the oil is gingerol, which gives the rhizomes a characteristic burning taste. Rhizomes and the oil isolated from them have antioxidant, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and antitussive properties.
But these are not allhealing properties of gingerFresh rhizome extracts and dried powdered ginger rhizome are found in medicines for motion sickness and in supplements that stimulate the appetite and aid digestion. In the Far East culture, ginger is the primary medicine prescribed by Japanese doctors for ailments caused by rheumatic diseases and arthritis, and for back pain. It is also a valued remedy for headaches, colds, cholera, stomachaches and toothaches.
In Chinese medicine, ginger is often prescribed as an anti-asthma, anti-emetic, expectorant and cardiac drug. Chinese women still traditionally useginger teaduring menstrual cramps and to regulate the menstrual cycle.
Ginger - growing in a pot
Togrow ginger in a potwe need a fresh rhizome. It can be a rhizome purchased at the grocery store. We choose a rhizome with a smooth, whitish and shiny skin.The rhizome for ginger cultivationshould be firm and well branched, and it should also have a lot of well-developed eyes or visible growth buds. The flesh should be light yellow and not too fibrous.
Ginger - rhizome with buds, ready for planting
Fig. Danka, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
How to plant ginger in a pot?First, soak the ginger rhizome in lukewarm water overnight. The next day, cut the rhizome into small pieces, each with at least one eye. Place the rhizome fragments completely in the substrate. If, however, our rhizome has already started to release buds, we do not cut it then, but place it entirely in the ground.
We grow ginger in a humus substrateWe use a mixture of leaf soil, compost soil and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. It's best togrow ginger in plasticpots, which keep the ground moist for longer. Since ginger is characterized by rapid growth, it is worth planting rhizomes in large pots or balcony boxes right away.
Containers in whichpotted ginger cultivationshould have good drainage (for this purpose, pour small pebbles or expanded clay at the bottom of the pot) and drain holes in the bottom. Ginger does not require high substrate moisture, but it should be kept slightly moist. It is best to sprinkle water on the substrate using the hand sprayer every day.
The area where you grow gingershould be bright and quiet. Ginger does not tolerate strong direct sunlight, but the growing position must be bright. The windowsill of the west or east window will be the best.
Ginger grown in a potdoesn't like too high temperatures in both summer and winter. In winter, we put the pot on the windowsill of the brightest and coldest window. In summer, we can place a pot with growing ginger on the balcony or in the garden, avoiding places directly exposed to strong sun.
Using the above-mentioned rulesgrowing ginger in a potshould be successful . More about ginger cultivation, photos of planted rhizomes and plants at various stages of cultivation can be found on our forum, in the thread: ginger - planting, growing in a pot, photos of our plants.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
