On Sun, 5 Sep 2004 17:37:10 GMT, Tim Tyler wrote:

Anyone know if you can grow Turmeric, Galangal or Karachi from roots in
the UK?

Can't tell you anything about karachi root, but judging by the
rhizomes (upside down in the pic) I suspect it may be a form of ginger
as are the other two.

Turmeric - Curcuma longa (syn. domestica) is a very handsome plant
with ornamental foliage and very attractive 12 - 18" high spikes of
long lasting bracts that are vivid pink fading to green, each
surrounding a rather ephemeral translucent white flower. Now is not
the time to start trying to grow it because it is naturally deciduous
in winter and needs a long warm growing season. Plant in pots of
multi-purpose compost during Feb/early March making sure that the
rhizomes are plump, healthy with obviously live buds. Barely cover
the rhizomes, water lightly and place in a very warm position (about
22-25C is fine). Water only when virtually dry and do not water
regularly until new leaves have started to expand. Once growing
strongly, keep the plants very moist and feed weekly with a balanced
fertiliser.

Galangal is applied to 2 very different members of the ginger family -
Kaempferia galanga & Alpinia officinarum (syn. A. galanga) , but the
rhizomes you have pictured are from the Alpinia. This is a relatively
easy plant to grow forming clumps of cane like stems to around 6 - 8
feet or more, clad in fine foliage and terminated by rather handsome
spikes of fragrant white flowers. It needs warmth, but is possible as
an imposing pot plant. This one you can pot up now. Place healthy
rhizomes in a large pot of multi-purpose compost and water lightly
until growing strongly. feed every 6 weeks in winter and every week
in summer. Keep in good light and maintain temperatures above 16C.
Alpinias do not have a true resting season and continue growing as
long as reasonable temperatures are maintained.

Both of the above plants are susceptible to red spider if kept in a
very dry atmosphere and appreciate good humidity if they are to grow
well. A light misting of the foliage daily will keep them happy.
They can be stood out of doors during the warmer summer months -
Curcuma preferring light shade whereas Alpinia will be happiest in
full sun.

HTH



Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November