For How Long Does Ginger Root Germinate?

Timing

• Like many tropical plants, ginger root does not have a strict dormant period and can be started virtually year-round. This is true especially when starting them indoors, where the growing conditions can be controlled more easily. However, starting ginger during the summer months will produce a mature ginger plant faster because the warm temperatures and abundant light will hasten the plant's growth.

Rhizome Seed Preparation

• Pretreating ginger rhizome seed helps eliminate potentially harmful bacterial infections and nematode infestations. Cut the rhizome seed into 1-inch knobs weighing no more than 4 ounces, each with an obvious "eye," or growth node. Let the freshly cut rhizome seeds dry for two or three days, or until the cut end callouses over. Even visibly clean rhizome seeds may harbor pathogens, so soak them in 122-degree Fahrenheit water for 10 minutes to sterilize them. Don't allow the water temperature to fluctuate too drastically because it will not kill the nematodes effectively and may, in fact, harm the rhizome seed.

Sowing

• Ginger roots grow and spread fairly quickly, so the rhizome seeds must be sown in pots that are large enough to accommodate them. Choose a 6- to 8-inch wide pot and fill it with fresh, sandy potting soil. Deep sowing results in poorly shaped or stunted roots, so sow the rhizome seeds no deeper than 2 inches. Sow only one in each pot to eliminate competition for space and nutrient resources. Drizzle water onto the soil until it feels moderately moist in the top 3 inches. The rhizome seeds may become exposed after watering, so simply cover them with an inch or so of moist soil.

Germination Process

• Although ginger is capable of germinating at low temperatures, the resulting sprouts often are spindly or sickly. Warming the pots to between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a heating coil or propagation mat will produce better results in a shorter amount of time. However, the artificial heat from the heating coil will dry out the soil faster, so monitor it closely and keep it moist in the top 3 inches. Cover the pots with a clear plastic propagation dome to conserve energy and hold humidity around the pots while the rhizome seeds germinate. Most ginger sprouts emerge around day 50, although they may come sooner or later depending on the vigor of the rhizome seeds.