HYDROPONIC GINGER & TUMERIC PRODUCTION
Turmeric is not only a spice , but can be also used as a natural , plant-based dye .
REACHING MATURITY
While both plants are long-term crops , turmeric will produce harvestable rhizomes more rapidly than ginger plants . Under ideal growing conditions , with sufficient heat , the first small turmeric rhizomes grown hydroponcially can be harvested in as little as six months , with main crop yields taking around eight to nine months . Ginger can also be harvested relatively young and small ; however , full-sized , large rhizomes can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months from planting . Ginger plants at maturity are generally larger than turmeric , although this depends somewhat on their variety and growing conditions . Ginger plants should be spaced 18 inches apart and turmeric plants , 12 to 14 inches apart , provided light levels are sufficiently high . This will give a dense canopy of foliage that makes a tall backdrop for smaller ornamental foliage and flowering plants in amenity plantings . While the flowers of culinary ginger are insignificant and not particularly attractive , turmeric blooms are delightfully exotic , won ’ t affect rhizome development , and are even edible , so these alone are worth growing the plants for . Harvesting ginger and turmeric is relatively simple . Turmeric plants will develop foliage yellowing and dieback once the rhizomes are fully mature .
Plants can be harvested before this stage as young rhizomes are more tender and fully usable , but they won ’ t store for extended periods of time . Plants can be pulled from the growing substrate , which has been allowed to dry down for a few days , and the rhizomes plucked from the root system . Alternatively , a rhizome or two can be generally removed form the plant while it is still growing by digging down around the base of the stem and removing the largest that has formed , then replacing the substrate . The plant will continue to direct reserves into the remaining rhizomes , allowing a longer period of fresh rhizome harvest . Once harvested , the skin on ginger and turmeric rhizomes is so thin it can be gently washed before immediate use . For longer term storage , they require air drying to cure the outside layers of the rhizome or stored wrapped in plastic under refrigeration .
“ THE FOLIAGE OF TURMERIC CAN BE PRONE TO SPRAY
DAMAGE FROM THE REGULAR USE OF INSECTICIDE OILS , SO THESE ARE BEST AVOIDED .”
PEST CONTROL
Under optimal growing conditions , ginger and turmeric are relatively hassle-free crops and seem remarkably immune to common exotic plant problems such as root rot or die back due to overwatering . They can , however , suffer from common pest issues . With an indoor garden or greenhouse these typically include fungus gnats during the propagation phase , and mites , thrips , and whiteflies on more mature plants , which can all damage and discolor the foliage rapidly . Early identification and control of pests is recommended , and the large , dense canopy may also provide a suitable environment for the use of integrated pest management ( IPM ) with introduced predator and parasite insect controls . The foliage of turmeric can be prone to spray damage from the regular use of insecticide oils , so these are best avoided unless plants are close to harvest maturity when leaf marking is less of an issue .
While ginger and turmeric may be familiar as dried spices readily available in pre-packaged form , the young rhizomes freshly harvested from a hydroponic garden provide a more powerful punch when it comes to flavor and bioactive compounds . They are also fun and attractive to grow , so why not shake things up this year and give it a try ?
112 Maximum Yield USA | January 2017