Ginger, Galangal and Turmeric are spices belonging to the same family. Turmeric has a distinct yellow-orange colour. Galangal ginger leavers look like turmeric, but they have a similar colour to ginger. However, Galangal ginger flavour is less intense than ginger, with a hint of citrus. The root plants started germination a month ago.
We harvested and divided the rhizomes in winter. We dried some and stored the others in well-drained soils for consumption as fresh spices. The rest sprouted when the spring and summer heat set in. The turmeric was the first to break dormancy, followed by the galangal ginger, with ginger coming last. All the plants are very productive; however, the galangal ginger produced the largest harvest per rhizome planted in the previous year. We shall see if the trend continues next year. We continue harvesting the fresh rhizomes as needed.
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Galangal Ginger
Turmeric
All three plant varieties were sourced from Thailand years ago, and they continue to produce large rhizomes that thrive in less ideal conditions such as pots/ The fabric grow bags are superior because of easy harvesting and lack of water logging during wetter months. Remember to plant them in sandy soils that are rich in organic matter. Add sand to loamy soils or clay soils. Although these varieties can handle clay soils, the size and quality of the crop will be compromised.
Ginger
Share your experience growing ginger in Lusaka, other parts of Zambia, or subtropic regions.