Many of us have come across ginger, using it as a medicine or spicy seasoning for various dishes. But very few people think about where this plant came from, how the ginger grows in natural conditions and where its native land. Let's still ask these moments to understand what conditions will be most suitable for growing this herbaceous plant.
Homeland of ginger
The plant is perennial with an erect stalk, which is usually compared with reeds or bamboo. Its pointed stems are lanceolate, and the flowers resemble an orchid of bright colors. But the main value is the rhizome of ginger, containing useful essential oils, amino acids and vitamins.
The place where ginger spread all over the globe is considered to be South, more precisely, South-West Asia. China, Indonesia, India, as well as Australia, West Africa, Jamaica and Barbados have, as it turned out, ideal climatic conditions for its cultivation. Today, ginger is grown on an industrial scale.
An interesting fact is that wild ginger does not exist today in nature. Its numerous varieties have long been cultivated and are in service with culinary and medical professionals around the world.
In Europe, ginger was introduced in the Middle Ages, and in America - in the XVI century. In the years of the epidemic, miracle ginger was used as a means of treating and preventing plague, and a little later it was added as a spice to various dishes of national cuisines of different countries. In particular, powdered ground ginger is used in the preparation of kvass , tea and beer, various types of baking, sauces, etc. Especially popular is pickled ginger as an appetizer for sushi and rolls. Often, the root of ginger is used and as an independent product - for example, in the form of candied fruits or jam.
As for modern medicine, she uses ginger in various forms (decoctions, infusions, compresses, essential oils) to treat and relieve the symptoms of very many diseases - from headaches and colds to psychoemotional disorders.
Where and how best to grow ginger?
The ginger reproduces with rootlets, because for some reason this culture does not give germinating seeds. But this does not prevent plant breeders-experimenters from successfully growing this medicinal plant. As is known, the best climatic conditions for cultivation of ginger are the subtropics or tropics. This plant needs moist and at the same time hot air, but the scorching rays of the sun and drafts, he does not tolerate. But, since it is impossible to achieve such conditions in our apartments and in dachas where ginger grows in Russia or Ukraine, ginger is grown in greenhouse and greenhouse conditions (which, however, are also not ideal).
So, to get a full-fledged ornamental plant, you should plant the purchased ginger with the kidneys in a wide container or
Care of the plant is a periodic loosening and constant maintenance of moisture (the earthen should be watered regularly, avoiding its drying, and the leaves - sprinkled with water every evening). Provide ginger protection from wind and bright sun. In late September, watering should be stopped. When the ginger foliar turns yellow and wilts, you can harvest - dig a root, dry it and consume it, or as a medicine.