When is the latest planting time for ginger?
Ginger likes warm and humid environmental conditions and is not tolerant of low temperatures or frost. It begins to sprout above 16°C. The optimum temperature for seedling growth is 20-25°C, and the optimum temperature for stem and leaf growth is 25-28°C. Growth stops below 15°C. Therefore, the planting time for ginger is generally from late April to early May, and in low-heat river valley areas, early to mid-March is suitable. Ginger that has been pre-sprouted or grown with plastic film mulch can be planted appropriately earlier.
Ginger Sowing Time
The sowing time for ginger is generally from late April to early May.
Before sowing ginger, the seed ginger should be carefully selected, removing moldy, rotten, shriveled, diseased and weak ginger pieces. For seed ginger, it is best to choose 50-100 gram ginger pieces with 1-2 strong buds. Larger ginger pieces can also be sown but require a larger amount of seed and higher cost. They can be cut with a knife or broken apart by hand, but the wounds should be disinfected with plant ash or lime before sowing.
Before sowing ginger, it is best to soak the seeds in a chemical agent to promote sprouting. The method is to spread the seed ginger out to dry in the sun for 1-2 days, then soak the seeds in 1:1:120 Bordeaux mixture for 10 minutes. After removing the seed ginger, stack it layer by layer with moist sand and cover it with plastic film, with a thickness of about 30-40 cm, keeping the temperature at 20-30°C. Buds will emerge in 8-10 days. Sow in grades according to the size and strength of the buds. The seed rate per mu is 300-500 kg.
Ginger Growing Conditions
1. Temperature: Ginger originated in the tropical regions of China and the East Indies. It likes warmth, and the growth of the rhizome (ginger piece) requires relatively high temperatures. It can only sprout above 16-18°C. At 20-27°C, the ginger piece develops rapidly. A monthly average temperature of 24-29°C is most suitable for rhizome division and growth. Growth stops below 15°C, and sprouting is still not hindered at 40°C. However, below 10°C, ginger pieces are prone to rotting.
2. Light: Ginger is shade-tolerant but not tolerant of strong sunlight, and has no strict requirements for day length. Therefore, when cultivating, a shade shed should be set up or intercropped plants should be used for appropriate shading to avoid intense sunlight.
3. Water: Ginger has an underdeveloped root system and poor drought and waterlogging tolerance, so its water requirements are particularly demanding. During the growing period, soil that is too dry or too wet is unfavorable for the growth and expansion of ginger pieces, and both can easily cause disease and rot.
4. Soil nutrients: Ginger prefers fertile, loose loam or sandy loam. It grows poorly when planted in heavy, wet, low-lying land, and also grows poorly in barren land with poor water retention. Ginger has the greatest need for potassium fertilizer, followed by nitrogen fertilizer, and the least need for phosphorus fertilizer.