Etlingera venusta (Ridl.) R.M.Sm.
Hornstedtia venusta (basionym), Nicolaia venusta, Phaeomeria venusta
Color: Pink and white
Bloom Time: January to May
Etlingera venusta is sometimes called, the world's most beautiful Ginger. Its cerise shaped overlapping bracts create a rose-shaped flowered inflorescence. It has a lovely porcelain pink and white basal inflorescences up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall. The pink and white "petals" are actually bracts, which later reveal small true flowers inside. Exotic blooms are long-lasting and like other Gingers, it provides a beautiful tropical look. Blooms from January to May.
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Growing Torch Ginger is possible in a range of soil types. A major problem when growing Torch Ginger plants is potassium deficiency. Potassium is necessary for the correct uptake of water, which is necessary for the optimum growth of this large plant.
Add potassium to the soil before growing Torch Gingers by working it into unplanted beds to about a foot (30 cm) deep. Organic means of adding potassium include the use of greensand, kelp or granite meal. Test the soil.
When growing these plants in established beds, fertilize with a food that is high in potassium. This is the third number on the fertilizer ratio displayed on the packaging. Once the potassium is right in the soil, watering, an important part of learning how to grow torch ginger successfully, will be more beneficial... – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior)
Native to Malaysia.
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