Ginger is a super tuber because it has numerous positive effects on he alth. The rhizome is a popular ingredient in Asian dishes and adds an aromatic spiciness to teas. The tuber can be propagated with simple tricks.
How can I plant ginger bulbs correctly?
To plant ginger bulbs, a 5 cm piece with sleeping eyes should be soaked in lukewarm water, then placed with the vegetation points upwards in nutrient-rich potting soil and kept moist. A bright, warm environment promotes budding.
Cultivating tubers
Cut a five-centimeter piece of ginger that has several sleeping eyes. The pieces are placed in lukewarm water overnight. The next day, prepare plant pots (€13.00 on Amazon) with nutrient-rich potting soil. Insert the tubers into the substrate so that the vegetation points face upwards. Cover this with a two centimeter thick layer of substrate and keep it evenly moist. The rhizomes sprout when the location offers bright and warm conditions.
Harvest rhizome
When you can harvest ginger depends on the planting date. The plant needs around eight to ten months until it has developed rhizomes that are ready for harvest. Root tubers planted in spring have multiplied by autumn. When the leaves of the reed-like plant turn yellow, the ideal harvest date has arrived. The earlier you harvest, the crunchier and juicier the tubers taste.
Instructions and reuse
Dig up the underground part of the plant and remove the soil crumbs. You can either use the root whole or cut off a large piece and put the rest back into the ground. Ginger hibernates in a dark room with temperatures around ten degrees. If the thermometer rises, the soil mixture dries out more quickly. You do not need to water the substrate during the vegetation break.
Store ginger correctly
Small quantities are required to prepare Asian dishes. The rhizome will keep intact for several weeks if stored in a cool, dark place. Interfaces become woody over time, so the inside remains protected. However, mold can easily grow on the fibers in the refrigerator.
Tips for a long shelf life:
- Cover the interface with beeswax cloths and store the tuber in a cool place in a plastic container
- Moisten the cloth, wrap the root in it and store it in the vegetable compartment
- freeze peeled and sliced ginger
- Place grated rhizome pieces in vinegar stock
