Are You a Ginger Drink Fan? Let's Grow Your Own
Are you a fan of ginger tea? Ginger tea, or ginger drink, is a favorite among many. Ginger tea is especially delicious on a cold evening, warming the body.
But did you know that growing ginger isn't difficult? Growing your own ginger for consumption is both economical and enjoyable. Here's an explanation of how to grow ginger, for beginners who have never grown ginger before, or those who want to seriously pursue a ginger business.
Planting ginger properly begins with selecting quality rhizomes, preparing the planting medium, and caring for the plants, which will be detailed below.
source image : alodokter.com
The Ministry of Agriculture provides an explanation of how to plant ginger in pots or polybags on the official website of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture's General Secretariat. There are at least eight steps to growing ginger in pots or polybags, with harvest time taking 3-4 months.
The average yield for ginger is 1-2 kg per pot or polybag. To achieve abundant yields, ensure optimal care.
1.Selecting Seeds or Rhizomes
The initial step involves selecting fresh, large, good-quality ginger seeds or rhizomes with numerous buds, and at least 10 months old. The Ministry of Agriculture explains the characteristics of good ginger rhizomes: large rhizomes, fresh-looking rhizomes, not wrinkled, and free from defects or signs of pest infestation.
Place the ginger rhizomes in a cool room or location, then water them and allow them to grow. If any rot occurs during this process, remove them immediately to prevent the disease from spreading to the other rhizomes.
source image : agrobenindonesia.co.id
2.Cutting the Ginger Rhizome
First, sprout the ginger seeds by cutting the ginger rhizome. Then, arrange the pieces of rhizome in a cool place until shoots grow.
3.Preparing the Pot or Polybag
Next, prepare a pot or polybag with a diameter of approximately 40 cm.
4.Preparing the Planting Medium
After preparing the pot, prepare the planting medium. When planting ginger, it is recommended to use a planting medium consisting of a mixture of rice husks, compost, manure, and soil in a ratio of 2:1:1:2.
Leave the manure-containing medium for approximately 14 days to allow natural fermentation to occur and the soil to be ready for planting ginger.
source image : orami.co.id
5.Start Planting Ginger
The next step in planting ginger is to start by making a hole in the center of the polybag according to the size of the seedling. Then, plant the ginger with the shoots facing upwards.
6.Caring for Ginger
This method of planting ginger is expected to produce a satisfactory harvest. Water the ginger twice a day to prevent the growing medium from drying out.
The Department of Food Security, Agriculture, and Planting explains that keeping the growing medium moist and dry is crucial to prevent the ginger plant from dying.
source image : faunadanflora.com
7.Controlling Ginger Plant Pests
Next, start controlling ginger plant pests. Pest and disease control can be achieved by regularly spraying organic pesticides. Organic pesticides can be made from hydrosol (liquid waste from essential oil distillation).
Ginger pest control begins with preventative measures. This includes treating healthy seeds, using healthy seeds, establishing irrigation, and weeding.
This method helps prevent the emergence of Ralstonia bacteria, the primary cause of ginger emprit. Prevention is important because adequate pest control is lacking.
Weeds often grow alongside ginger plants. Therefore, regular weeding is necessary to avoid damaging the roots, which can then damage the ginger seedlings.
8.Preparing for Harvest
The final step in growing ginger is preparing for harvest. Harvesting can be done when the plants are 9-10 months old. It can also be done when the stems are dry and the leaves have changed from green to yellow.