Planting Roscoea
Orchid Ginger
Contents
Where to plant Roscoeas?
Like many Zingiberaceae, Roscoeas thrive in garden spots that mimic their natural habitat: cool, moist and well-drained, with plenty of indirect light or partial shade. Native to mountainous regions of Asia, they prefer conditions that are neither too hot nor too sunny – ideal for west-facing or dappled south-facing positions.
What planting substrate for Roscoea?
The ideal is to plant Orchid Gingers in slightly acidic or neutral soil, rich and well-drained to prevent their roots from sitting in water, which could damage them.
A little tip: Roscoeas like to be planted quite deeply, with their rhizome buried a few centimetres below the soil surface, to protect them from winter cold.
They can also thrive in pots, provided they’re given the right growing conditions. A good perennial potting mix with quality drainage will do the trick.
When and how to plant Roscoea?
- Plant Roscoeas in spring
- Plant them at a depth of 6 to 8 cm
- Space the fleshy roots of Roscoeas about 15 cm apart. The young shoots take time to emerge.
- They are hardy down to -12°C in well-drained soil; beyond that, a thick mulch should be applied
- In very clayey and wet winter soil, it’s better to lift the bulbs and overwinter them
- You can also grow them in pots, 3 per 24 cm pot, preferably in partial shade
- Subscribe!
- Contents