Hedychium

Family. Zingiberaceae.

Origin. Tropics of India.

Description. Hedychium is a perennial herbaceous plant 1.5 - 2 m high. Shoots appear from large branching rhizomes up to 3.5 cm in diameter. The stems are erect, about 1 m high. The leaves are oblong, lanceolate, 20 - 60 cm long, 5 - 12 cm wide, bright green. The lower surface of the leaf blade is rarely pubescent. Peduncles up to 50 cm high. The flowers are fragrant, with a delightful sweet aroma, collected in large, spectacular cylindrical inflorescences - candles 15 - 30 cm long. Individual buds 5 cm long have 3 thin sepals, 3 petals and long, orange-red stamens. The shades of the petals vary from white to pink, salmon red and yellow. After flowering, a seed capsule is formed, which opens into 3 parts when ripe, containing 3 bright red seeds. The seed capsules remain on the plant for a long time.

Height. Up to 150 cm.

Growing at home

Temperature conditions

Hedychium loves warmth, the optimal temperature range is 20 - 25 ° C, in winter - not lower than 10 ° C.

Lighting

Tolerates partial shade, but likes bright light without direct sunlight.

Care

Keep the plant outside during the warmer months and bring it inside before the first frost. After flowering, cut the stems slightly higher or at ground level.

Substrate

Loves nutritious, well-drained soil with a high organic content, based on peat.

Feeding

During the period of active growth, hedychium is fed 2 times a month with fertilizer with a high potassium content; it loves organic matter.

Flowering time

Spring – summer, with good care it can bloom all year round.

Air humidity

High. Mist the plant regularly or place the pot on a tray of damp pebbles and use a room humidifier.

Soil moisture

Water hedychiums deeply and regularly during the summer. In winter, watering is reduced. 

Transplant

Annually in late winter or early spring in wide, shallow containers.

Reproduction

The bush is easily propagated by pieces of rhizome about 20 cm long, each of which should have at least 1 stem. Seeds are sown in spring. By dividing adult specimens during transplantation.

Pests and diseases

Root rot due to waterlogging and stagnation of water.

Of the harmful insects, the main danger may be spider mites, scale insects and aphids.