As mentioned, ginger rhizomes(?) from the grocery store will grow fine. I have done the same with tumeric from a health food store. I soak each in warm water for an hour or so to try to wash off any sprouting inhibiters. I'm going to ask a friend in Los Angeles to look out for galangal in Asian markets, as I can't find it fresh in stores or mail-order nurseries (one may be able to find it seasonally fresh for consumption by mail order; I haven't looked recently). I'd like to find grains of paradise and the real cardamom as well.

You can buy the edible roots at the grocery store and start your own to get Zingiber officinale. Look for fresh roots. You may have to go to an Asian markert for the Galangal roots. It is also called Thai ginger and has a hotter taste. The tumeric is a cucurma longa.The roots are more yellow. You should be able to find those if you have an East Indian market or world market.

To the nice lady that responded--I couldn't send you an email back but wanted to thank you. I contacted that guy and am buyins 2 of the thai series hed. Pink Profusion and Sunlight. Again, thanks.

You don't need to dig it up. Just water with water with a few drops of super thrive. Every jan 14, I wish for fresh turmeric and ginger plants. It is the harvest festival called Pongal in southern india dedicated to the sun god. It is traditional to tie the ginger and turmeric plants around the neck of a new clay pot and cook the fresh harvest of rice in a risotto like dish sweetened with jaggery. It used to be my job to bring home a couple of whole sugarcanes strapped to my bicycle and dig up the ginger and turmeric rooted the previous year. The fragrance of fresh turmeric and ginger is unforgettable. The pot would always be allowed to boil over a bit signifying a year overflowing with sweetness and abundance. The green leaves of ginger and turmeric are symbolic of prosperity, the turmeric of auspiciousness, ginger for the spice of life.