The Garden Community for Garden Lovers
 

West Somerset, England Eng

Please has anyone any experience of growing this plant? I bought one from a plant stall today in a mad moment, and although I know it's not hardy, I'd like some tips on getting it going - does it need bottom heat? What sized pot should I grow it in, too?


On plant Hedychium gardnerianum


Answers

 

I had never heard of it before, Spritzhenry, but a quick look at Wiki tells me that it is one of the 100 most invasive plants in the world!!!! However, as it will not tollerate temperatures below -10C and you will be growing it in a pot, that should not be an issue.
Sorry, don't have any cultivation tips, just a bringer of good news!

23 Feb, 2011

 

I tried last year Barbara, it was a tuber I bought, but not one sprout showed. It was in a largish pot in the greenhouse, kept nicely damp, well-drained and warm, but not a sausage!

23 Feb, 2011

 

According to my Tropical Plants book, treat as for Canna, Spritz - it says to pot them into something just big enough, then place in a propagator or warm airing cupboard at a minimum of 20 deg C, keeping soil moist but not wet, until shoots appear. Once they've reached 5 to 8 inches they can be moved to cooler conditions, but a minimum of 10deg C, either in a glasshouse, conservatory or on a windowsill. And the rest you know...

23 Feb, 2011

 

Such a stunning plant Barbara, I really hope it thrives for you. Looking forward to seeing the flower later!

23 Feb, 2011

 

Thanks - I'll shift things round in the propagator, turn it up a tad, and in it'll go along with three pots of Canna 'Tirol'! :-)))

Wish me luck!

23 Feb, 2011

 

What you REALLY needed was H. coccineum or H. densiflorum as they are both hardy-ish. I have a variety of the former, 'Tara', growing outside for five years in a sheltered corner, mulched for winter protection. Came through 2009/10 winter with no problems. Grows from tubers which gradually run, giving a larger and larger clump

23 Feb, 2011

 

I had a very similar experience to Janey, so a big Thanks to Bamboo for the tip!

23 Feb, 2011

 

I have it, and it is very much a weed here. The leaves are used for baking traditional bread (it also put in an appearance on Two Fat Ladies for baking bread) and it is often fed to cows. It is like an Iris - it grows on new growth only, and will die down each year. It also gets 4-5 feet tall and smells like someones grandmother. The roots can get very large, and plant it as deep as you would an iris.

24 Feb, 2011

 

Well, Andrew - that was the only one there, and I felt sorry for it as nobody wanted to buy it! I shall keep it in a pot here to avoid any winter problems.

Wylie - thanks for the info! I can't see it being a weed over here, somehow. lol.

24 Feb, 2011

 

Bit more info in case you're interested, Spritz - "Hedychium gardnerianum .... well worth hunting out...hardiness tender to borderline - with mulching, survives well, Zones 8-11. Site and soil, moist, humus rich, well drained, sun or partial shade." From the same book mentioned before.

24 Feb, 2011

 

Thanks, Bamboo. I shall play safe and keep it in a very large pot! :-)

24 Feb, 2011

How do I say thanks?

Answer question

Related photos

  • Our other ginger lily is flowering..  (Hedychium gardnerianum (Ginger Lily))
    Dottydaisy2
  • Only two flowers this year.... (Hedychium gardnerianum (Ginger Lily))
    Dottydaisy2
  • Hedychium gardnerianum - Kahili Ginger Flowers (Hedychium gardnerianum - Kahili Ginger)
    Delonix1
  • Ginger Lily...surviving the high winds, and the beating rain... (Hedychium gardnerianum (Ginger Lily))
    Dottydaisy2

Related products

 


Related questions

Not found an answer?