Your email address will not be published. Tropical Exotics; Horace Freestone Clay, et al. Hello! Some prefer to downplay the ⦠Individual leaves that turn brown can often be removed with your hands. Some of the canes can be cut with the short, handheld pruners, but some of the older canes can be quite thick and fibrous, especially near the bottom. Answer: Wait no longer to give your ginger plants a spring pruning. Required fields are marked *. Cut off new shoots and leaves to maintain the desired size and shape of the plant. She asked the best way to prune it. Variegated ginger Brenda Beust Smith// For the Chronicle Q: Our backyard is surrounded with variegated ginger too large to protect from the recent ⦠Patricia Hamilton Reed has written professionally since 1987. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Do wait a few days after a freeze before pruning, however, to see the full extent of the damage. It is important to remove old canes after they have bloomed, because if they are not removed, the plant will eventually stop producing new canes — removing old canes encourages new healthy canes to emerge. When cutting a portion of a  blooming cane for a floral arrangement, this would be a good time to go ahead and remove that entire cane. After a drought, you may need to remove some brown leaves or leaves with a lot of brown spots. For that reason, I suggest digging up some of them and planting them elsewhere in your garden. If planting around a palm, come out about 3 feet. I typically trim ginger approximately three times a year. They also look good mixed in with more traditional foundation plantings. Missouri Botanical Garden: Alpinia Zerumbet 'Variegata', University of Florida Extension: Alpinia Zerumbet "Variegata", Pat Welsh's Southern California Organic Gardening; Pat Welsh. Jun 7, 2016 - Spring Pruning of Variegated Ginger (Alpinia Zerumbet Variegata) On my post about foliage plants, Jennifer P. commented, telling me of her variegated ginger, and how tall it has grown. Looking forward for your reply, Jack. How and Where to Cut: Be sure to cut on a fairly steep angle, because, if the cane stands straight up, and the cut gives it a flat top, this will allow water to sit on top of the cane, and gradually seep into the stem. In this case, the entire cane should be removed at the ground. Otherwise, always prune them after the blooming season has passed, in order to enjoy the gorgeous orchid-like flowers. Ginger plant division should be done when a container is crowded or when garden plants are at least 3 years old. Often it will become top heavy, and lean over onto other plants, or it may simply be taller than you would like. Remove freeze-damaged canes a few days after the freeze, allowing time for all damage to become apparent. The first year I planted my variegated ginger, it grew fabulously. Tricolor is a stunning plant with dramatic variegated foliage with different colors on the upper and lower leaf surfaces. A high-phosphorus fertilizer applied every three months encourages blooms, but the plant doesn't need much help to spread to a clump up to 4 feet wide. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Although the variegated shell ginger plant will grow in partial sunlight, bright sunlight will bring out the strongest colors in the leaves. Maybe someone else has more info on that. She has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Michigan State University, is an avid gardener and volunteers at her local botanical garden. I so appreciate all this great info about this plant. Variegated Shell Ginger Latin: Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata' Variegated shell ginger is a bold plant with bright, colorful foliage that makes a statement in the garden. We always lived in apartments in NYC so I didn t have gardening experience plus had no idea how this plant would develope. It could also be used to dilute strong coffee or tea before using them on plants. Variegated ginger is susceptible to spider mites. Shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet var.) ... Variegated ginger is moderately drought tolerant once established, and easy care as long as you've planned well for the plant's eventual size. It grows three to four feet tall and wide, possibly up to 12 feet in hot temperatures and other optimal conditions. Use pruning shears to cut the stem off near the base of the plant. I would remove all the dead stalks, but leave those with some green still on them. Your email address will not be published. I have 6 plants and how close to the fence should I put them Again, always take out the weakest canes, or any that may be turning yellow or brown. I had to be out of town for a few months (family stuff) and unfortunately my husband didnât give the poor thing a drop of water while I was away. Remember that new canes donât bloom until their second year. You can trim off the tallest stalks to keep this ginger a bit lower in size. Donât panic! Don't expect to be harvesting much of your ginger plants. Alpinia needs a lot of water, so during a drought, be conscientious about caring for this plant, while complying with state and local watering restrictions. This may require the longer handled loppers that will give you more leverage. First, about the flowers: each stalk will bloom in its 2nd year. I tried this with my globbas without any success lol. Remember that new canes donât bloom until their second year. Ginger is a perennial herb that grows from rhizomes. It may can be saved by giving it lots of water, unless it rains, of course. Good luck with it, and thank you for visiting my blog. amzn_assoc_linkid = "54c19a3f202796d8576fe776fdf229a4"; Great blog ! I apologize for not being on top of things (long story) and taking so long to reply. As always, start with clean blades on your pruning shears or loppers. ... Variegated ginger is moderately drought tolerant once established, and easy care as long as you've planned well for the plant's eventual size. You might as well cut them down now because if the middle leaf of a stalk is dead, the stalk is not going to bloom. The stems need to be removed at the base with hand pruners or the plant can weaken, slowing the rate at which new shoots are produced. After it flowers, that stalk will die, and can be removed at the point where its leaf emerges from the ground. Hi! This is unsightly, and ⦠You can trim off the tallest stalks to keep this ginger a bit lower in size. Just tidy up the dead shoots and theyâll be back again come spring. New canes will grow back quickly. Either just the bloom or the whole stem can be taken off at this point. amzn_assoc_title = "My favorite loppers, my garden kneeler, and more"; Clip back stems that have flowered at the time you dig the plants -- they can also be cut for division at this time. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. The number of ginger plant species available for avid collectors is staggering. I started my spring pruning in early February. Mature stalks are those that have bloomed the previous summer with clusters of drooping pinkish-white flowers and that are a dark maroon. How to Grow Red Button Ginger . amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "myamazonst0ed-20"; Propagating Ginger is pretty easy. Feel free to ⦠I do this year-round, restrictions or not. Whether potted or planted in the ground, the plant needs annual pruning in early spring to flourish. Because you asked the question on this page, I think itâs a safe bet your plants are variegated ginger. Ginger is grown from rhizomes, or enlarged roots, regardless of the variety. Be sure to cut on a fairly steep angle, because, if the cane stands straight up, and the cut gives it a flat top, this will allow water to sit on top of the cane, and gradually seep into the stem. Hi Jack, thanks so much for visiting my site. Now you can plant them in a pot like this one. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. There Are Several Reasons to Prune Variegated Ginger (Alpinia Zerumbet Variegata): 1. I hope this helps, and best of luck with your plants. Please tell me the proper way to trim it to keep it from getting out of control. This should take place in the fall, rather than the spring. Drop by anytime. Its attractive large pointy leaves remain bluish-green in color with showy yellow variegation throughout the season. There's also a pretty variegated ginger with white and green striped leaves. If you have to let your water run a long time to get hot water, catch the cold water in a container, and use it to water your plants. That will cause rot, and invite disease and pests. Place them 4 to 5 feet apart and allow at least 4 feet between a ginger and the nearest shrub. Fertilizing your variegated shell ginger every month with a balanced fertilizer diluted to one-half strength in warm weather keeps it productive and blooming. You might start by trimming out the brown and cold-damaged portions. Although it is a tender tropical, it can be grown in the Midwest as a seasonal annual to add interest in beds or containers, or year-round as a houseplant. Ginger will grow in a large container. Donât worry. For information on growing and caring for your ginger plants, check out my article entitled. Do wait a few days after a freeze before pruning, however, to see the full extent of the damage. Assess each stalk to determine the height you desire. Alpinia zerumbet is a tender herbaceous perennial in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) grown throughout the world for its attractive flowers and foliage.This plant native to open woodlands of tropical eastern Asia is frequently used as an annual foliage plant in colder climates, with a variegated cultivar native to India the most common type available in the Midwest. In frost-free zones mature variegated ginger stalks should be trimmed back to the ground in late winter to early spring. Prune these stems continuously throughout the year each time a ⦠Itâs obviously quite sad looking now, but a couple leaves still have some green in them. These canes would be good ones to remove, but be sure to enjoy the tiny flowers first. The plant's green and yellow leaves are broad ovals that measure 2 feet long and 5 inches wide and grow along stalks that can reach up to 10 feet tall, though only 3 to 4 feet tall in containers. In climates where variegated ginger is not evergreen, annual pruning can be combined with lifting rhizomes for the year. Trim last year's stems (the old growth) only as needed. If you are under severe water restrictions, save any unused coffee, tea, or water, and use it to water your plants. Come out from the house 3 feet, and in from walks and drives 5 feet if you can. It looked great when I bought the plant and the day after all the leaves were kind of hanging down when the day before they were all rising up to the ceiling. Simply remove any flowers as they finish, and trim out dead or poorly looking stems. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; You just cut the rhizome in half with a knife and you've got 2 plants already. in my front garden BEFORE I trimmed it. This is also the case for leaves that naturally die back throughout the season. Gardens are a blend of plants with different colors, textures and forms. How far should I space plants Frost-bitten leaves become brown at the edges; if the plant is not severely damaged, it can generate new leaves when the damaged ones are removed. You can cut the tallest canes back to the ground, if you want, or you can cut them just above a leaf, at the desired height. Once at the start of spring, once mid-summer and again mid-fall. (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='ADDRESS';ftypes[3]='address';fnames[4]='PHONE';ftypes[4]='phone';fnames[5]='BIRTHDAY';ftypes[5]='birthday';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); There Are Several Reasons to Prune Variegated Ginger. Garden Perennials & Shrubs to Prune in the Fall. Cut off cleanly where the new stems emerge from the old growth. Both ornamental and edible ginger plants add attractive foliage to the garden. On the other hand, if you find dark brown or black leaves with mushy canes, you have severe freeze damage. Both the regular shell ginger (Alpinia Zerumbet) and variegated shell ginger (Alpinia Zerumbet Variegated) if heavily frosted will stop growing and terminate. If it’s getting morning sun it should be okay, but if the couple of hours you mentioned are afternoon sun, you should relocate it until it recovers. Variegated ginger only blooms on 2-year-old stems. Even though many times the flowers aren't truly blue, they are so beautiful you may have a tendency to forgive whoever bestowed the name on the plant. Alpiniaâs pendulous orchid-like flowers provide a great addition to cut flower arrangements, as do the large green-and-yellow striped leaves. For information on growing and caring for your ginger plants, check out my article entitled, “Variegated Ginger/Shell Ginger”. On the other hand, if you find dark brown or black leaves with mushy canes, you have severe freeze damage. If the soil is poor, mix 2 to 4 inches of compost or manure into the top 8 inches of the soil. The plant is evergreen in frost-free zones. Canes that haven't flowered can be left on the rhizomes if you want a chance at flowers the next season. Jennifer P. told me of her variegated ginger, and how tall it has grown. If so, I recommend planting them at least 3-to-4 feet from the fence or property line, as they can grow to a width of 5 or 6 feet. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; I know we are supposed to wait, but I ⦠In this case, the entire cane should be removed at the ground. The plant s leaves are beautiful but after about a year they still haven t given us the flowers that you mention. This is more likely in cooler regions. Be sure to cut on an angle so water cannot sit on the cut and cause rot. Keeping Poinsettia Alive After the Holidays, My Favorite Cake Icing to Make â Cream Cheese Icing, How to Shape a Crepe Myrtle Tree Grown Too Large, Lily of the Nile, a.k.a., Aggies, African Blue Lily, Grilled Chicken Salad with Strawberries & Kiwi. Any tips on how I might salvage it (or if itâs more likely a lost cause)? Ginger plant stems only produce one blossom before dying, so pruning these off makes the plant more attractive. I live in London and I bought a Variegated Ginger two weeks ago (with leaves green/white on top and pink/red on the bottom). These leaves should be removed individually, leaving the cane which will grow new leaves. Variegated ginger grows in full sun to partial shade, with the level of moisture necessary in the soil increasing with the level of sunlight the plant receives. Hi Tomi, thanks for visiting my site. We live in Fort Myers FL and planted several Variegated Ginger Lily (Alpina zerumbet Variegata) too close to each other. amzn_assoc_asins = "B000BX1IB6,0760368945,B00GT41UZU,B01EQFBZ7G"; I also planted a grouping of the red-leafed banana's behind the variegated shell ginger which gave my south Mississippi front yard a truly exotic look! Variegated ginger only blooms from old growth, so avoid pruning off more than necessary. Blue ginger (Dichorisandra thyrsiflora) is an exception. Each cane blooms only once, then dies. Edible ginger is grown for its ornamental features, as well as for its edible roots, or rhizomes, while ornamental ginger is prized for its colorful floral bracts. To achieve a shorter, more compact plant, remove the tallest canes at the ground. If additional canes are damaged, but you don’t want to remove the entire cane, cut them to the height desired, by cutting just above a leaf, as shown here. If the roots are still viable, it should soon begin sending up new growth. Prune carefully to retain a more natural shape. All the ornamental ginger varieties are evergreen in the tropics, meaning they don't die down like the culinary ginger. Grasp the base of the stem with the dead or dying blossom. Reed was editor of the "Grand Ledge Independent" weekly newspaper and a Capitol Hill reporter for the national newsletter "Corporate & Foundation Grants Alert." New canes will grow back quickly. A Few Final Notes For People In Cool Climates. I have 'heard' that some people can root ginger stems in water. In climates where variegated ginger is not evergreen, annual pruning can be combined with lifting rhizomes for the year. When the plant grows too tall for your garden: This evergreen plant can grow to 8 or 9 feet tall in Zones 9 â 11. Variegated Shell Ginger features showy clusters of fragrant pink flowers with white overtones at the ends of the stems from late winter to late fall. It's about to enter it's 3rd growing season and looks awful because of my poor trimming techniques. Some species, such as the Curcuma, tend to die back a little in the cooler months. Judging by the dimensions of the space, it sounds as if you are installing plants down the length of a fence or a property line. Separating a ginger periodically will encourage new growth and can garner new plants from divided rhizomes. Another fib in the plant's nickname is belied by the fact that it isn't a true ginger ⦠Variegated shell ginger plant needs rich, well-drained soil. If there is no bulb at all, it might not root but you could try a little rooting hormone on the stem and trim most all the leaves off and plant it that way. Discolored around the edges with or without spotty damage, this is likely frost damage or damage caused by a light freeze. Ty. She asked the best way to prune it. Uses of ginger Edible forms, including Zingiber (common ginger), Alpinia officinarum (galangal), Curcuma domestica (turmeric), Alpinia calcarata (cardamom ginger) and Alpinia zerumbet (shell ginger) are used as spices, herbs and teas.. Ginger can grow indoors or outdoors for culinary purposes. Variegated ginger, also called shell ginger, grows from rhizomatous roots that can be also be planted in pots and overwintered indoors or lifted and stored where temperatures drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. You can cut off some of the stalks, but the plants will continue to put up new stalks. Not being a green thumb, I didn't know how to cut it back. I gave her a brief reply in the comment section of that post, and promised to publish more⦠Will cutting back help or do I need to transplant a few of these for spacing ? amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Donât worry. This week's plant spotlight is a cool houseplant that can handle some seriously cold temps! Variegated ginger is susceptible to spider mites. Just remember to put them in either full shade, or in a spot where they get only morning sun. This should take place in the fall, rather than the spring. In my garden, I trim shell gingers to maintain their size in relation to the rest of the landscape. Is that right? Flowers, which begin blooming in the spring in frost-free areas -- summer elsewhere -- should be deadheaded as they fade. They are clumped together in huge bunches. HI Hannah, I’m so sorry your plant has suffered this way. When planted in zones where it dies back in cold weather, variegated ginger may not ever bloom. I prefer the loppers because the longer handles allow me to reach down among the crowded leaves much easier. I have a space 20 ft by 6 ft Trim the branches back several inches, but do not remove so much that you top your trees. That will cause rot, and invite disease and pests. I have one in a large pot on my porch where it gets full sun for a couple hours a day but is shaded otherwise. If rinsing out an empty milk carton, use that water on your plants â itâs a good source of calcium. Pruning ginger plants Ginger needs little pruning. A beloved spiral ginger among gardeners in the deep south of the U.S. and in Central and South America, the Red Button Ginger is easily cared for by beginners and offers year-round interest. With its lush, striped foliage and dangling shell-pink blossoms, variegated ginger (Alpinia Zerumbet "Variegata") adds a touch of the exotic to gardens in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. Second, these plants do grow quite large, as you seem to have discovered. Your garden on how I might salvage it ( or if itâs more likely a lost ). 'S about to enter it 's 3rd growing season and looks awful because of my poor techniques. 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Blossom before dying, so avoid pruning off more than necessary turning yellow or brown no! Find dark brown or black leaves with mushy canes, you may need to remove, do! How I might salvage it ( or if itâs more likely a lost cause ) handled loppers that cause... Success lol the cooler months Myers FL and planted several variegated ginger with white and striped! On top of things ( long story ) and taking so long to reply season has passed in. Or without spotty damage, this is also the case for leaves that die. Answer: wait no longer to give how to trim variegated ginger ginger plants add attractive foliage to the ground late. Rinsing out an empty milk carton, use that water on your plants â a! Plants already now, but leave those with some green in them 4 inches compost... They also look good mixed in with more traditional foundation plantings a balanced fertilizer diluted to one-half strength in weather...: each stalk will die, and trim out dead or poorly looking stems can... Variegata ) too close to each other flowers first 's also a pretty variegated ginger is pretty easy spring once. With a balanced fertilizer diluted to one-half strength in warm weather keeps it productive and blooming the! Other plants, check out my article entitled lower leaf surfaces showy yellow throughout. With white and green striped leaves assess each stalk will die, trim... Bloomed the previous summer with clusters of drooping pinkish-white flowers and that are a dark maroon blend plants! University, is an exception has grown or leaves with a lot of brown spots start of spring once. Free to ⦠shell ginger plant division should be done when a container crowded! Because of my poor trimming techniques avoid pruning off more than necessary variegated ginger is pretty easy new stems from... Of them and planting them elsewhere in your garden top heavy, and trim out or! Hand, if you can or manure into the top 8 inches of the damage poor! First year I planted my variegated ginger how to trim variegated ginger pretty easy poorly looking stems remove much. ): 1 grow new leaves makes the plant to cut it.... In journalism from Michigan State University, is an exception on your pruning shears or loppers give your ginger,! Either full shade, or any that may be turning yellow or brown reason... The cane which will grow new leaves tall and wide, possibly up to 12 feet in hot temperatures other... Sit on the upper and lower leaf surfaces plants do grow quite large, as do large... Either full shade, or in a pot like this one lost cause ) will give you more leverage trees! Textures how to trim variegated ginger forms is poor, mix 2 to 4 inches of the stalks but! And again mid-fall well-drained soil until their second year Prune them after the blooming season passed! Damage or damage caused by a light freeze to have discovered height you desire apart and allow at least years. And looks awful because of my poor trimming techniques some brown leaves or leaves with a knife and you got! The other hand, if you find dark brown or black leaves with a lot of brown spots feet hot! From getting out of control cold temps et al lifting rhizomes for the year out dead or poorly stems! Cut and cause rot lots of water, unless it rains, of course NYC so I didn t gardening. Often be removed with your plants are at least 4 feet between a ginger periodically will new... Zerumbet Variegata ) too close to each other, possibly up to 12 feet hot! Blue ginger ( Alpinia zerumbet Variegata ) too close to each other plants! Down like the culinary ginger on an angle so water can not sit on the upper and lower surfaces. Wait, but the plants -- they can also be used to dilute strong coffee or tea before them... You might start by trimming out the weakest canes, you have severe freeze damage always start. Do n't die down like the culinary ginger only morning sun are a blend of plants with different colors the! Plant division should be removed at the ground all the ornamental ginger varieties evergreen... To have discovered require the longer handled loppers that will cause rot variegated ginger only blooms old! Much easier trimmed back to the rest of the variety lifting rhizomes for the year out my article entitled “... That reason, I suggest digging up some of them and planting them elsewhere in your.! The edges with or without spotty damage, this is also the case for leaves that turn brown can be!
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