Just wanted to share a pretty bloomer - Orchid Board

JennS · #1 07-25-2008, 05:53 PM

Hello again! I have been very bored with work today so i am just poking around the OB instead. This is a shot taken yesterday. This is the third year I have had this plant. It was a division from my mom's plant. It dies back each winter and doesn't come up until about May, but was more toward late May this year. Anyway, I am hopeful for a third bloom as well. They are very long lasting even if cut and the foliage is pretty as well. The flower color is pretty ture to life, but the foliage is more of a lighter green.

I have heard it called a Hawaiian hidden Ginger and believe the Scientific name to be Curcuma Petiolata, but I could be wrong. Hope someone enjoys.

Oh, and I appologize for the sideways pics, I don't know how to turn them!

Royal · #2 07-25-2008, 06:38 PM

Yup, it's a Curcuma. Most of mine, except one, are early spring bloomers. My Hedychiums are just starting though!

quiltingwacko · #3 07-25-2008, 06:41 PM

So pretty! Hard for me to imagine things like that just growing right in your yard. Of course, I live in Oregon.

cb977 · #4 07-25-2008, 08:34 PM

That's really pretty

last year, we discovered Shampoo Ginger popping up at the base of a tree that we left standing when we had the land cleared. Have no idea how it got there but it's lovely

Thanks for sharing yours

By the way, I adjusted your photos.
It's easy to do...when you have the picture open, look below it and you'll see a group of little folder-type icons.
The first one on the left in the bottom row is the "edit" button. Click there and you can go in to make adjustments

Tindomul · #5 07-27-2008, 04:31 PM

Thats really pretty. Has anyone tried growing supermarket ginger, I am, and it grew, but not sure what species it is, or what its supposed to look like.

stonedragonfarms · #6 07-28-2008, 10:51 AM

Very cool looking flowers! Do they have any fragrance?

JennS · #7 07-28-2008, 04:42 PM

I have never noticed any fragrance. I actually have a third flower coming up and the second one is pretty much open too. They start off looking kind of like a squished up pinecone. HAHA...bad description.

About the fragrance though, I have to say I am not the best judge though because I have orchids that other people claim have a scent, but I hae never detected one. I will get real close and give it a good sniff though and see if I notice something.

Tindomul, what do you mean by supermarket ginger? You mean the root that you can buy at the store? If so I have never thought to grow it, but I have seen lots of other gingers with a similar root, but neve the exact one that is edible. Or do you mean a ginger plant that you got at the supermarket? In my experience, I just plant the root or bulb or whatever it is called and they sprout with very little encouragement. I think semi-moist soil is good. In Florida the soil is very sandy, or maybe the sand has a little soil in it? They seem to be happy in it. I have another type too that I just forgot to plant and saw the roots sprouting the other day. So, they seem very hardy and I would just plant the whole thing underground and it will pop out when ready. Some of them rest in the winter, but I have one that does not rest ever and is actually a bit of a pain. Anyway, if you have any more info, I am happy to help if i can. Good luck!