Are variegated shell ginger and variegated galangal the same plant?

Scientific name: Alpinia zerumbet cv. Variegata

Common name: variegated galangal

Family and genus: Zingiberaceae, Alpinia

Description:

An evergreen herbaceous foliage plant. It grows 1-2 m tall, and potted plants are mostly under 1 m tall. Its rhizomes are creeping and fleshy. The leaves are leathery, with short petioles, short-oblong lanceolate; about 50 cm long and 1J5-20 cm wide; the leaf surface is dark green with golden-yellow longitudinal stripes and patches, and is glossy. The panicle is pendulous, the bracts are white with yellow edges, the apex and base are pink, the flower bend is nearly bell-shaped, the corolla is white, and the flowering period is summer.

Origin:

Tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia

Habits:

It likes a high-temperature and high-humidity environment and bright light. But it is also tolerant of semi-shade. The suitable growth temperature is 15-30°C, and the overwintering temperature is about 5°C. It grows better in loose, well-drained fertile loam.

Propagation:

Propagate by division. In spring and summer, dig out the underground rhizomes, cut off the aboveground stems and leaves, cut the rhizomes for separate planting, place the divided plants in a semi-shady place for care, and resume normal management after new buds sprout.

Cultivation:

For potting, apply fertilizer once a month during the growing period, mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, keep the potting soil moist, frequently spray water on the leaf surface in summer and autumn, and place it in semi-shade in midsummer, so the leaf markings will be more striking. For outdoor ground planting, choose loose loam with good drainage, give more sunlight in late spring and early summer, provide slight shading in midsummer, and in autumn and winter dig out the rhizomes and store them indoors.

Pests and diseases:

Leaf blight and brown spot are common. In the early stage of leaf blight, spray 200-fold Bordeaux mixture 2-3 times every 7-10 days; for brown spot, spray 1000-fold methyl thiophanate solution.

Uses:

Variegated shell ginger has brilliant and very charming leaf color; its flowers are graceful and its fragrance is pure, making it an indoor foliage and flowering plant of great ornamental value. It is often planted in small and medium pots and placed in brighter places such as living rooms, offices and hallways, and can also be used as an accent plant for indoor gardens.