Ginger In South Africa
Wild ginger is originated in Southern tropical Africa (south of Malawi to the eastern part of South Africa). It has a restricted distribution in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia. It is currently grown mainly in the Mpumalanga Province, after becoming extinct in KwaZulu-Natal.
Propagation
Propagation of ginger is from planting out the rhizomes kept from your previous harvest. Rhizomes for planting can also be bought from suppliers or nurseries.
How To Grow Ginger In South Africa
The ginger rhizome is broken into smaller pieces and these are used as plant material. The pieces should be about 50 to 75 grams in size and are planted into the plant area at a depth of 15 cm.
Spacing
Ginger plants should be spaced 25 cm apart in rows that are 30 cm apart. This equates to approximately 100 000 to 120 000 plants per hectare. Paths for the implements and tractors are left every few rows and this depends on the width of the tractors or implements that are used.
Planting Time
Plant ginger in early spring to early summer. In South Africa, from late August to October is the best time.
Growth Period
Ginger takes eight to nine months to produce a good-sized rhizome or tuber for the harvesting of mid-season ginger in April and May for the fresh market. Late ginger is harvested almost a year after planting in June and July. Late ginger is sold fresh but is also dried and ground or used to extract the oils. Early ginger is harvested in February and early March five to six months after planting before the rhizome has had time to build up fibre. Early ginger is normally harvested by hand to prevent damaging and bruising the rhizomes and is used in preserves.
Fertilization
Ginger when planted commercially is a heavy feeder because of the high plant density to ensure good yields. As always, have your soil properly analysed to ascertain accurate nutrient requirements. It is advisable to plough in a good amount of organic matter like compost or manure a month before planting. As a guide the following applications of fertilizers can be used.
After planting, once the rhizomes have settled after the first irrigation about a week to ten days after the planting apply between 350 and 500 kilograms per hectare of 2:3:4 (30) along the plant rows of ginger. The same mixture can be used at 10 weeks after planting and again at 16 weeks and to 24 weeks after planting. Monitor growth and rhizome development throughout the growing season. Sprays of trace elements are also good to ensure healthy plant growth.
Irrigation
It is a good practice to apply mulching along the plant rows. This keeps the soil from losing moisture and controls the growth of weeds. Ginger does well in high rainfall regions, so irrigation is important over the entire growing period. An irrigation schedule of between 45 and 50 millimetres per week is advised. It is also advisable to install moisture sensors to control moisture content of soil.
