Turmeric, also known as turmeric, is very he althy and very trendy. We give you five tips to help you grow turmeric in a pot.
Turmeric has been experiencing a real surge of attention lately. Who can blame turmeric (as turmeric is also called), after all it is extremely he althy. The plant, which probably comes from Southeast Asia, also grows in our latitudes and even in pots! Turmeric is easy and uncomplicated to grow yourself. In the right conditions, turmeric can even flower and become a pretty ornamental plant.
Tropical turmeric (Curcuma longa) is said to have many medicinal effects. And the golden rhizome of the plant is also convincing in the kitchen. However, you rarely get it really fresh, so growing it in your own four walls is worthwhile.
1. Allow the interface to dry for several days before planting
If you have found a turmeric root, for example in an Asian shop, then it's time to pot it. This should preferably be done in early spring between February and March. Depending on the size, you can divide the rhizome. However, it is important for success that you allow the interfaces to dry for a few days before potting. This prevents bacteria and fungi from having an easy time.
2. The Right Conditions for TurmericUnder optimal conditions, turmeric even starts to flower. What is there to consider? Choose a large enough pot. The soil should be loose and well drained and the pH should be between 6 and 7. A well-drained herb soil such as our peat-free Plantura organic herb and seed soil is ideal. Then you can place the turmeric rhizome about two inches deep.
From potting to harvest, turmeric needs regular watering. However, waterlogging is not good for you. Of course, the right lighting conditions are just as important. Turmeric likes partial shade. So put them in a bright window with no direct midday sun. Partial shade becomes especially important if you bring the plant outside during the hot summer months. ThatMost important, however, is warmth.
3. Turmeric - Heat Lover
Turmeric comes from the tropics and needs a lot of warmth. Temperatures should therefore never fall below 15 °C, not even in winter. Therefore, place the pot with the tuber in a warm place by the window right from the start. In the summer months, the plant can also stand outside - but only if the temperatures do not fall below 15 °C at night.
4. Pruning off bud sites for long floweringOnce turmeric has bloomed, a bud can bloom for up to three weeks before wilting. Cut back the old inflorescence shortly after it has faded to give you a chance for new flowers to form. After the last flowers have withered, watering can be slowly reduced as the plant will gradually begin to withdraw and die above ground.
5. Store the turmeric in sand over the winter
After about nine months, i.e. in autumn, the turmeric can be harvested. The root should now have increased significantly in size compared to spring. Now the question is, was it a one-time try or did you enjoy it? If the former is the case, you can of course eat up the entire rhizome. However, if you plan to continue growing next year, it is best to harvest most of the root and leave a few large enough pieces for replanting. You should store them nice and dry in sand until potting in spring. Of course, the sand should still have residual moisture to protect the roots from drying out.
