Q. I have a Siam Tulip – of the Ginger Family of plants? The name of the plant on the mailing carton was con-? I looked thru my agriculture Encyclopedia under Ginger and Siam (Siamese) and the plant wasn’t there. The Encyclopedia didn’t have the mailing carton name in it. The blant “tuber” or whatever it is called is rather a dark tan and bumpy, snarly looking. How does one plant this? I had what I thought was root planted into the soil, leaving the “stems” and “top” above the soil- nothing happened in three weeks time so now the whole plant is covered lying sideways. Please tell me what to do with this. Helen Preisz – Packwood, WA
A. Cutting to the chase I believe you have Curcuma alismatifolia which an Ornamental Ginger (Zingiberaceae) as you indicated. It has a rhizome-tuber. Not very common and I have to say that I am not impressed with whomever was your source for this plant since it seems it was not labeled well and didn’t include growing instructions. It is considered a tender tropical and is quite uncommon outdoors except in the Deep South since it is only hardy to USDA zones 8 and higher. If you plan on growing it outdoors here I would suggest that you bring it in for the winter. Packwood does not benefit from the moderating effects of the Puget Sound and I am sure it would not make it through the winter. On the other hand it makes a good greenhouse or bright sunny window plant. I have never seen this plant but from what I understand the soil should be kept moist (not wet) at all times. The plant dislikes being left high and dry. The rhizome should be completely planted below the soil line. If you have more or less than about 3 inches of soil above the rhizome I would repot it.