Description: this exotic Brazilian native is not a true ginger but has striped ginger-like stems and lapis lazuli blue flower spires. The glossy, dark-green leaves have purplish undersides. The flowers are borne in compact spires from February through autumn.
Is it OK if ginger is blue?
Ginger that has turned blue is perfectly safe to eat, and while its flavor is slightly milder, it’s unlikely you’ll notice when using it in a recipe.
What is another name for blue ginger?
Blue ginger, also called ‘galangal’, ‘Thai ginger’ or ‘Siamese ginger’, was first harvested in central Asia. For centuries, blue ginger has been used in cooking and for medicinal purposes.
What does it mean when ginger turns blue?
The bluish hint in some ginger is a result of anthocyanins, a type of plant colorant in the flavonoid family that gives fruits like blood orange and vegetables like red cabbage their vibrant hues. Trace amounts of anthocyanins in certain ginger varieties give it a bluish hue.
What color should fresh ginger be?
Ginger is the root of a vegetable. It has a brown outer layer and a yellow to tan inner flesh, so don’t worry if the outside looks dull or brown (imagine a potato). A really fresh and great ginger root will be firm and taut, with a moist, bright inner flesh. The smell will be fresh and bright.
How do you grow Blue Ginger?
Please plant the Blue Ginger shoot in potting soil (the kind you get from your garden shop), and keep it moist but not soggy. Keep in in a shaded place because Blue Ginger tends to burn somewhat easily. Consider 60℉ to 80℉ as the ideal temperature range for the Blue Ginger.
Can you grow blue ginger from a cutting?
Blue ginger tends to suffer during winter and need to be cut back in late winter and this is an opportunity to use the waste as cuttings. Simply cut the stems into three node lengths and dip the base into Clonex a plant hormone gel that seals the wounds and stimulates root growth.
Is blue ginger plant poisonous to dogs?
Not known to be poisonous when consumed by pets and humans. If large quantities are eaten, it may result in vomiting, nausea and a loss of appetite.
What kind of soil does blue ginger like?
Unlike some plants, blue ginger thrives in shade. It grows into a large clump that is perfect for mass planting. This plant does best in a moist, but well-drained soil. In general, it’s pest-free with only mealy bugs causing occasional problems.
Should blue ginger be cut back after flowering?
Regular watering and fertilizing in Summer will ensure good results, however plants are fairly tolerant to dry periods and will survive, even if they do not look their best. Cut plants back to ground level after flowers have faded.
How do you look after blue ginger?
Outdoors, use 15-15-15 fertilizer every couple of months during the growing season. Indoors, use a liquid houseplant fertilizer designed for flowering plants according to the package directions. Let the soil dry between waterings. Blue ginger tolerates drought conditions for short periods of time.
Where is blue ginger from?
The plant is native to the tropical woodlands of North, Central and South America, especially in Atlantic Forest vegetation in Brazil. Of the family Commelinaceae, it is cultivated for its handsome spotted stems and large shiny foliage which is held horizontally, surmounted by striking blue flowers.
How can you tell if ginger is fresh?
Not only do I have tips on how to tell if ginger is bad, but also how to store fresh ginger root to make it last longer. Ginger should be firm to touch, unwrinkled, free from mold, and bright yellow inside. If you’re ginger root is lacking those qualities, there’s a good chance that it’s spoiled.
Can you eat ginger skin?
“Ginger peel is completely safe to consume,” Dana said. “I often slice off coins of unpeeled ginger and steep in hot water for the tastiest ginger tea. The peel may contain more fiber [than the rest of the ginger root].”
Is pink ginger dyed?
Only very young ginger will develop the slight pink tint naturally. Many brands of commercially produced gari are colored pink, artificially or naturally, often by using E124 or beet juice, either to intensify the existing pink color or because the ginger used was too mature to turn pink upon pickling.
Which ginger is best?
Choose “hands” of fresh ginger root with firm, unwrinkled skin that’s thin enough to scrape away with your fingernail. (Tough, thick skin is a sign the ginger may be old and dried out.) Fresh ginger root is usually sold by the pound, so it’s OK to break off only what you want from a larger piece.
Why is my ginger slimy?
Here is how you can find out further if your ginger has gone bad in the fridge: extra moist. skin will peel off easily when touched and texture is slimy.
Should ginger be white or pink?
The natural coloring of fully-developed ginger is off-white or beige – any other hue means that food coloring was added. The one exception is if the root, or rhizome, was harvested at an earlier stage. Baby ginger is cream-colored and exhibits a bright pink at the tips from which its green stems arise.
How much water does a blue ginger need?
Blue Ginger needs 0.8 cups of water every 9 days when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5.0″ pot. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
What is peacock ginger?
Peacock gingers are shade-loving perennials that make great groundcovers here in Florida. Most bloom throughout the summer with small pink or purple flowers, but peacock gingers are best known for their beautiful leaves.
Can you propagate ginger from a cutting?
Prepare the Ginger Rhizomes
Next, cut up the rhizome into small pieces. Each new piece should have an eye and be about 1 1/2 inches. Leave the pieces out overnight before planting. Be sure to sterilize your knife before cutting the rhizome.