Costus barbatus - Spiral Ginger

I wish that I could get my Hedychium to grow at all - planted in April it now stands 50mm tall!

Meanie:

Is it in a pot? Which species of Hedychium is it?

Typically (my experience), most species of Hedychium will not grow very tall in pots and is difficult to get to bloom.

Hedychium is very different from Costus, which is much more tropical.

I think that is why the Costus is all but impossible to get over here.
To be fair, the tuber was given to me at the local garden centre as it was rather shrivelled. It is now nice and plump, so I'll keep it green over the winter before planting on in the spring. It's H.gardenarianium.

You have the Kahili Ginger. I like that one...I see several in my neighborhood. I know the roots are suppose to be pretty hardy (don't know if it's hardy in your climate, though). It would be one of the best ones to grow in your climate (if it grows) because it blooms during summer. Most of the others bloom in Fall...when temps may be too cool in your climate.

Not hardy enough for the UK over the last couple of winters!
I think that it was just putting its energy into the tuber - I've had a poke around and have a nice plump one now.

Meanie:

That's great! The tubers can run and multiply very quickly producing a large plant (in the ground).

I've read the rhizomes, which sit on the top of the soil can be protected by heavy mulching. I don't think unprotected, the surface rhizomes would survive temps much below freezing.

I just re-read my last post - it reads very badly!!!!!!!

The big freeze went down a few inches last year.

Meanie:

I was going to make a comment; however, I refrained. LOL! :>)

lol lol lol.........

Alexandramou:

No instigating! I know what you were thinking. LOL! :>)

:o)))))))

Got a plump foot too now - I dropped a lump of wall on it this afternoon!

That's awful! Hope your foot gets better soon!

Me too!!! :o)))))

A week later and it's still tender!

Awww! Hope it gets back to normal soon!