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storing wild ginger rhizomes

12 years ago

Hi all. I'm new to this forum. I've been steadily replacing my grass with native plants, and had planned to put wild ginger (asarum canadense) and virginia bluebells into my shady east-facing front yard. Little did I know that a massive sewage reconstruction process was going to happen there! The rhizomes I ordered arrived, and my tiny front yard keeps getting mauled by refuse, construction vehicles, and boots digging into the wet clay. Needless to say, I can't put the fifty rhizomes I ordered into the ground, and the rest of my property is in full sun. How long can I store them, and how should I go about it? At the moment they are sitting in a plastic colander in the fridge with a dry dish towel over the top, but I'm betting there is a better way. Any help?

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Comments (5)

User
12 years ago
Leah,

I don't know about ginger but I would put the bluebells in the ground in shade/moist area (if you have a little out of the way of the construction area place) and dig them up when you are ready. I bought bluebell rootstock last Spring but a foot of snow arrived ahead of the rootstock. I dug through the snow put the rootstock in and then lost track of it. It came up on a barely covered rock this Spring and I quickly moved it. Not only had it multiplied on the barely covered rock but it flowered after being relocated this spring! Your rootstock is most likely dormant now as bluebells are very early risers in Spring so you really can't hurt them. Good luck!
wisconsitom
12 years ago
Maybe pot them up and place in shaded spot. I know you said you don't have any additional shade, but could there not be enough room somewhere for these to be kept potted until the construction is over?

+oM
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Thanks for your response. I was told they are planning to finish in September, so I don't expect this problem to go away any time soon. There is a small space on the east side of my house behind an azalea and some hollies that form a barrier between the house and the construction. It's only a few feet, but could I plant the rhizomes there pretty tightly and move them in the fall? It would mean one planted every few inches rather than every few feet. Might that work?
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What you have pictured is a Hexastylis which used to be included in the genus Asarum I believe. The species/subspecies divisions are confusing to me. Most of these have a strong, pleasant odor in the leaf and they have fleshy roots but not a spreading rhizome like Asarum canadense. The later has fuzzy, rounded, essentially odorless leaves. All have been called wild ginger but A. canadense is what is usually referred to as wild ginger. Its rhizome was used as a flavoring. Hexastylis species are commonly called "little brown jugs" and are common in the woodlands of piedmont North Carolina. You'll see A. canadense in mountainous regions of North carolina. (I lived in NC years ago). Unfortunately not everything that tastes good or was used traditionally is safe to consume.
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Boy am I glad to find this post!! I bought some Hawaiian store bought ginger and am trying to find some info on how to get it started. I've read several different ways but all to no avail. Is it a slow starter? Right now I have a hunk soaking in water vertically with toothpicks on the side. I also have two other pieces in dirt under gro lites and on a heat mat. I don't have it covered. Should it be? I also read to just place it on top of soil and press down about 1 inch. Should this be covered. I'm sitting here with at least four pounds of ginger and cannot find any info. I also read to put it in a paper bag and place on a heat mat to get it started...then what...do I put it in potting soil covered? If so...do I lay it horizontally and completely cover with soil and then cover with a baggie or something? I do apologize for all the questions but just wanted to give it the ol "college try"..any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Linda
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HI, I live in Ontario and am looking for rhizomes/plants of red ginger (Alpina purpurata). Most of my tropicals have originated as bare root bulbs which I planted in the spring and kept out over the summer. In the fall, I either bring the plant indoors to a cool and dark location and allow it to go dormant, or cut it back, dry the roots and save them. I guess shipping up north will be the same. Ship in peat moss and paper in late winter/early spring so that the rhizomes will be as fresh as possible. I am currently growing ordinary cooking ginger from a tuber bought in the grocery store. It is doing very well and even if I can't harvest it, it makes a beautiful plant. Also, elephants ears (taro/dasheen) are easy to get hold of. Just buy them in your grocery store and plant them up. I have a huge one that is about 4 years old. Cheers, flowergirl2010
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Leah45
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, both of you. I have a very small space behind my azaleas that at least meets the light requirements. How closely could I consider planting the rhizomes together and have them come out unscathed? Would it make sense to plant them fairly tightly now, with the intention of transplanting them in the fall? Unfortunately the end of construction is slated for September, and these things always seem to exceed their projected deadlines.
User
12 years ago
I would plant them separately but they can be close together....mine were as close together as I could get them as the ground was frozen and I was barely able to make a hole in it. In addition it doesn't actually need to be shaded at all..... come to think of it I buried mine in full sun! They probably prefer dappled shade in the long run but when they're dormant I guess it doesn't matter as much! Moving them any time in fall/winter is probably fine!
Leah45
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks adidas! For some reason your response didn't show up in my email. I followed your advice, and planted them pretty closely together in the shadiest spot I had. I'll put pictures up if or when I see any signs of life.

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