Alpinia (Alpinia) belongs to the perennial plants of the bushy form of the ginger family, common in the tropics and subtropics of Southeast Asia. It owes its name to the doctor, traveler and scientist from Italy Alpini Prospero.
Alpine description
Alpinia has large, dark red roots with a pungent odor, from each branch of which a separate stem grows. An adult specimen can have more than 35 stems, some of them have inflorescences and can reach over a meter in length. It blooms with white, pink, yellow and red flowers, the inflorescences are paniculate or racemose. Densely arranged leaves are pointed, elongated, up to 25 cm long. The plant has a fruit - a red box with seeds larger than 5 mm. Rhizomes have healing properties due to the content of eugenol, essential oils, tannins and flavonoids.
Climbing care at home
Lighting
Alpinia is grown as an ornamental plant; in indoor conditions it can live up to 3 years. This light-loving plant prefers bright and diffused light. In summer, it is better to shade the flower from direct sunlight. In winter, it is recommended to use additional light sources.
Temperature
In the spring and summer, the optimum temperature for the alpine should be in the range of 23-25 degrees. In winter, the temperature should be at least 15-17 degrees Celsius.
Watering
It is necessary to water the alpine abundantly, especially in summer, the lack of moisture affects the leaves - they become brown at the edges. In autumn, watering should be reduced, and in winter it should be watered altogether only after the top layer of the soil has dried.
Air humidity
Alpinia also needs humid air (preferably at least 70%), so the plant is constantly sprayed. You can keep the pot in damp expanded clay for better moisture.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Fertilizers are applied to the soil during the period of active growth - from March to the end of August. As a top dressing, ordinary houseplant fertilizers are suitable.
Transfer
You need to replant the alpin annually in the spring months. For overgrown specimens, the soil can be partially replaced, only the top layer. Suitable soil is garden soil with sand and peat.
Alpinia propagation
Alpinia propagation occurs by dividing the bush and seeds.
During the spring transplant, there must be at least one bud on each part of the rhizome to be separated. The cuts should be made with a clean, sharp knife, then crushed charcoal or ash should be applied to them. Place the shoots in low and wide pots and place in a shaded place. After a month, they can be moved to a more sunny one.
Seeds are planted in January, soaking them for a day in warm water before. For germination, use fertile loose soil, watered abundantly and do not allow drafts.
Diseases and pests
Alpinia is practically not susceptible to diseases and pests, but reacts to insufficient moisture by drying the leaves and the appearance of a spider mite.
Types and varieties of alpinia with photos and names
Alpinia officinalis or galangal (Alpinia officinarum Hance)
Herbaceous plant, perennial, with narrow dark leaves, resembles a reed. Branched roots, leaves are arranged linearly. It blooms with white flowers that form a cluster at the top of the stem. The fruit has a capsule.
Alpinia sanderae
Perennial about half a meter high, with long striped leaves. Flowers of red shades in the form of a bunch.
Alpinia drooping (Alpinia zerumbet)
The species got its sad name because of the flowers, which are a long brush drooping to the bottom. It grows up to 3 m, the leaves are wide and long. It blooms with yellowish flowers, red in the middle.
Variegated varieties:
- Variegata Chinese Beauty (Chinese beauty) - dark and light green leaves in an oblique white strip create a beautiful "marble" pattern, can reach two meters in height.
- Variegata - the leaves are very large and wide, variegated with yellow oblique stripes and almost the same marble pattern.
- Variegata Dwarf is a very small plant, no more than 30 cm, with yellow-green leaves. It blooms with white flowers.
Alpinia purpurea or red ginger (Alpinia purpurata)
A very effective ornamental plant due to its large red and white panicle-shaped flowers. The length of pointed leaves can reach 50 cm, the plant itself grows more than one and a half meters.
Alpinia galanga
Perennial, reaching two meters in height, has kidney-shaped white-yellow roots and large, wide leaves. It blooms with flowers in the form of a large brush, white.
Alpinia vittata
A short, evergreen perennial with long, narrow, pointed leaves with white diagonal stripes. Blooms with pink flowers.
