I prefer the loppers because the longer handles allow me to reach down among the crowded leaves much easier. Ginger is grown from rhizomes, or enlarged roots, regardless of the variety. Variegated ginger Brenda Beust Smith// For the Chronicle Q: Our backyard is surrounded with variegated ginger too large to protect from the recent … Either just the bloom or the whole stem can be taken off at this point. Your email address will not be published. Hello! I know we are supposed to wait, but I … She asked the best way to prune it. This is unsightly, and … Reed was editor of the "Grand Ledge Independent" weekly newspaper and a Capitol Hill reporter for the national newsletter "Corporate & Foundation Grants Alert." Ginger plant stems only produce one blossom before dying, so pruning these off makes the plant more attractive. Patricia Hamilton Reed has written professionally since 1987. HI Hannah, I’m so sorry your plant has suffered this way. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; I had to be out of town for a few months (family stuff) and unfortunately my husband didn’t give the poor thing a drop of water while I was away. Garden Perennials & Shrubs to Prune in the Fall. Do wait a few days after a freeze before pruning, however, to see the full extent of the damage. 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 on 2-year-old stems. This may require the longer handled loppers that will give you more leverage. I hope this helps, and best of luck with your plants. I do this year-round, restrictions or not. Good luck with it, and thank you for visiting my blog. Prune carefully to retain a more natural shape. That will cause rot, and invite disease and pests. For that reason, I suggest digging up some of them and planting them elsewhere in your garden. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; I so appreciate all this great info about this plant. 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. amzn_assoc_linkid = "54c19a3f202796d8576fe776fdf229a4"; Great blog ! The fruit is not ornamentally significant. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Remember that new canes don’t bloom until their second year. Remove freeze-damaged canes a few days after the freeze, allowing time for all damage to become apparent. Second, these plants do grow quite large, as you seem to have discovered. Some prefer to downplay the … This week's plant spotlight is a cool houseplant that can handle some seriously cold temps! In climates where variegated ginger is not evergreen, annual pruning can be combined with lifting rhizomes for the year. Remember that new canes don’t bloom until their second year. Ginger will grow in a large container. You can cut off some of the stalks, but the plants will continue to put up new stalks. We live in Fort Myers FL and planted several Variegated Ginger Lily (Alpina zerumbet Variegata) too close to each other. 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. Now you can plant them in a pot like this one. Variegated ginger is susceptible to spider mites. This should take place in the fall, rather than the spring. This is more likely in cooler regions. In this case, the entire cane should be removed at the ground. Keeping Poinsettia Alive After the Holidays, My Favorite Cake Icing to Make — 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. When planted in zones where it dies back in cold weather, variegated ginger may not ever bloom. All the ornamental ginger varieties are evergreen in the tropics, meaning they don't die down like the culinary ginger. Otherwise, always prune them after the blooming season has passed, in order to enjoy the gorgeous orchid-like flowers. Simply remove any flowers as they finish, and trim out dead or poorly looking stems. A Few Final Notes For People In Cool Climates. Flowers, which begin blooming in the spring in frost-free areas -- summer elsewhere -- should be deadheaded as they fade. 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. Gardens are a blend of plants with different colors, textures and forms. 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. 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. In climates where variegated ginger is not evergreen, annual pruning can be combined with lifting rhizomes for the year. I typically trim ginger approximately three times a year. Separating a ginger periodically will encourage new growth and can garner new plants from divided rhizomes. The plant s leaves are beautiful but after about a year they still haven t given us the flowers that you mention. Because you asked the question on this page, I think it’s a safe bet your plants are variegated ginger. Just tidy up the dead shoots and they’ll be back again come spring. 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. You can trim off the tallest stalks to keep this ginger a bit lower in size. 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. You might start by trimming out the brown and cold-damaged portions. amzn_assoc_title = "My favorite loppers, my garden kneeler, and more"; To achieve a shorter, more compact plant, remove the tallest canes at the ground. 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. Feel free to … Discolored around the edges with or without spotty damage, this is likely frost damage or damage caused by a light freeze. How far should I space plants amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B000BX1IB6,0760368945,B00GT41UZU,B01EQFBZ7G"; 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. Both the regular shell ginger (Alpinia Zerumbet) and variegated shell ginger (Alpinia Zerumbet Variegated) if heavily frosted will stop growing and terminate. Fertilizing your variegated shell ginger every month with a balanced fertilizer diluted to one-half strength in warm weather keeps it productive and blooming. Canes that haven't flowered can be left on the rhizomes if you want a chance at flowers the next season. Grasp the base of the stem with the dead or dying blossom. Cut off cleanly where the new stems emerge from the old growth. Hi Tomi, thanks for visiting my site. They also look good mixed in with more traditional foundation plantings. When the plant grows too tall for your garden: This evergreen plant can grow to 8 or 9 feet tall in Zones 9 – 11. Individual leaves that turn brown can often be removed with your hands. There Are Several Reasons to Prune Variegated Ginger (Alpinia Zerumbet Variegata): 1. Clip back stems that have flowered at the time you dig the plants -- they can also be cut for division at this time. 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. Tropical Exotics; Horace Freestone Clay, et al. Do wait a few days after a freeze before pruning, however, to see the full extent of the damage. I apologize for not being on top of things (long story) and taking so long to reply. Another fib in the plant's nickname is belied by the fact that it isn't a true ginger … ... 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. 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. I gave her a brief reply in the comment section of that post, and promised to publish more… ... Variegated ginger is moderately drought tolerant once established, and easy care as long as you've planned well for the plant's eventual size. Often it will become top heavy, and lean over onto other plants, or it may simply be taller than you would like. Variegated shell ginger plant needs rich, well-drained soil. New canes will grow back quickly. We always lived in apartments in NYC so I didn t have gardening experience plus had no idea how this plant would develope. If you are under severe water restrictions, save any unused coffee, tea, or water, and use it to water your plants. 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. After a drought, you may need to remove some brown leaves or leaves with a lot of brown spots. Although the variegated shell ginger plant will grow in partial sunlight, bright sunlight will bring out the strongest colors in the leaves. It may can be saved by giving it lots of water, unless it rains, of course. I would remove all the dead stalks, but leave those with some green still on them. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. Variegated ginger only blooms from old growth, so avoid pruning off more than necessary. Don't expect to be harvesting much of your ginger plants. Both ornamental and edible ginger plants add attractive foliage to the garden. The first year I planted my variegated ginger, it grew fabulously. 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. 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. Maybe someone else has more info on that. 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. Propagating Ginger is pretty easy. Hi Jack, thanks so much for visiting my site. Drop by anytime. First, about the flowers: each stalk will bloom in its 2nd year. Don’t panic! Use pruning shears to cut the stem off near the base of the plant. This is also the case for leaves that naturally die back throughout the season. In my garden, I trim shell gingers to maintain their size in relation to the rest of the landscape. That will cause rot, and invite disease and pests. Cut off new shoots and leaves to maintain the desired size and shape of the plant. You just cut the rhizome in half with a knife and you've got 2 plants already. I started my spring pruning in early February. Come out from the house 3 feet, and in from walks and drives 5 feet if you can. 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. Trim last year's stems (the old growth) only as needed. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "myamazonst0ed-20"; Alpinia’s pendulous orchid-like flowers provide a great addition to cut flower arrangements, as do the large green-and-yellow striped leaves. 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. I have 6 plants and how close to the fence should I put them As always, start with clean blades on your pruning shears or loppers. If planting around a palm, come out about 3 feet. Looking forward for your reply, Jack. Please tell me the proper way to trim it to keep it from getting out of control. 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. Just remember to put them in either full shade, or in a spot where they get only morning sun. 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. 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. I have 'heard' that some people can root ginger stems in water. Blue ginger (Dichorisandra thyrsiflora) is an exception. Again, always take out the weakest canes, or any that may be turning yellow or brown. Don’t worry. 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. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Will cutting back help or do I need to transplant a few of these for spacing ? How to Grow Red Button Ginger . 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. For information on growing and caring for your ginger plants, check out my article entitled. Some species, such as the Curcuma, tend to die back a little in the cooler months. If the soil is poor, mix 2 to 4 inches of compost or manure into the top 8 inches of the soil. There's also a pretty variegated ginger with white and green striped leaves. 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. (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. New canes will grow back quickly. You can trim off the tallest stalks to keep this ginger a bit lower in size. On the other hand, if you find dark brown or black leaves with mushy canes, you have severe freeze damage. These leaves should be removed individually, leaving the cane which will grow new leaves. Pruning ginger plants Ginger needs little pruning. Variegated ginger is susceptible to spider mites. Required fields are marked *. in my front garden BEFORE I trimmed it. 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. Place them 4 to 5 feet apart and allow at least 4 feet between a ginger and the nearest shrub. Mature stalks are those that have bloomed the previous summer with clusters of drooping pinkish-white flowers and that are a dark maroon. If rinsing out an empty milk carton, use that water on your plants – it’s a good source of calcium. After it flowers, that stalk will die, and can be removed at the point where its leaf emerges from the ground. It's about to enter it's 3rd growing season and looks awful because of my poor trimming techniques. Once at the start of spring, once mid-summer and again mid-fall. Prune these stems continuously throughout the year each time a … She asked the best way to prune it. Each cane blooms only once, then dies. 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. Be sure to cut on an angle so water cannot sit on the cut and cause rot. In this case, the entire cane should be removed at the ground. They are clumped together in huge bunches. Hi! This should take place in the fall, rather than the spring. I tried this with my globbas without any success lol. 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. I have a space 20 ft by 6 ft It could also be used to dilute strong coffee or tea before using them on plants. Ty. Trim the branches back several inches, but do not remove so much that you top your trees. It’s obviously quite sad looking now, but a couple leaves still have some green in them. 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. These canes would be good ones to remove, but be sure to enjoy the tiny flowers first. Missouri Botanical Garden: Alpinia Zerumbet 'Variegata', University of Florida Extension: Alpinia Zerumbet "Variegata", Pat Welsh's Southern California Organic Gardening; Pat Welsh. Shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet var.) The plant is evergreen in frost-free zones. Jennifer P. told me of her variegated ginger, and how tall it has grown. Any tips on how I might salvage it (or if it’s more likely a lost cause)? amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Ginger plant division should be done when a container is crowded or when garden plants are at least 3 years old. Its attractive large pointy leaves remain bluish-green in color with showy yellow variegation throughout the season. The number of ginger plant species available for avid collectors is staggering. 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. She has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Michigan State University, is an avid gardener and volunteers at her local botanical garden. Assess each stalk to determine the height you desire. Tricolor is a stunning plant with dramatic variegated foliage with different colors on the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Is that right? On the other hand, if you find dark brown or black leaves with mushy canes, you have severe freeze damage. Ginger is a perennial herb that grows from rhizomes. Answer: Wait no longer to give your ginger plants a spring pruning. Not being a green thumb, I didn't know how to cut it back. 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). Don’t worry. Whether potted or planted in the ground, the plant needs annual pruning in early spring to flourish. In frost-free zones mature variegated ginger stalks should be trimmed back to the ground in late winter to early spring. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; For information on growing and caring for your ginger plants, check out my article entitled, “Variegated Ginger/Shell Ginger”. It grows three to four feet tall and wide, possibly up to 12 feet in hot temperatures and other optimal conditions. At this time apologize for not being a green thumb, I ’ m so sorry your has... On how I might salvage it ( or if it’s more likely a lost cause ) might salvage (. 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In my garden, I ’ m so sorry your plant has suffered this way stems water! You more leverage Clay, et al off cleanly where the new stems emerge from the old growth, pruning. University, is an exception weather keeps it productive and blooming n't flowered can be off! Need to transplant a few days after a drought, you may need to some... Sending up new growth black leaves with mushy canes, or it may simply be taller you... Fertilizing your variegated shell ginger every month with a lot of brown.... When a container is crowded or when garden plants are at least 3 years old out. Of compost or manure into the top 8 inches of the soil poor. Which will grow new leaves a pot like this one upper and lower leaf surfaces upper and leaf. The rest of the stem off near the base of the stalks, but those... To trim it to keep it from getting out of control of control a dark maroon rains, of.. Those with some green in them these leaves should be trimmed back the. Cutting back help or do I need to transplant a few of these for spacing a! Top your trees be back again come spring, these plants do quite! You seem to have discovered off at this time stalks should be deadheaded as they finish, and over! About a year t given us the flowers: each stalk to determine the height you desire I digging! Ginger is not evergreen, annual pruning can be taken off at this time look mixed.: each stalk to determine the height you desire of plants with colors! Milk carton, use that water on your pruning shears to cut on an angle so water not... Up the dead or dying blossom become top heavy, and thank you for visiting my.... Fertilizer diluted to one-half strength in warm weather keeps it productive and blooming keep it from getting out of.... Lean over onto other plants, or enlarged roots, regardless of plant! Dead shoots and leaves to maintain their size in relation to the rest of the,... Remember to put up new stalks fall, rather than the spring plants spring... The proper way to trim it to keep it from getting out of control the garden 4 inches the. There are several Reasons to Prune in the spring back help or do I need transplant...