Zingiber spectabile (Beehive Ginger) Plant

Description Zingiber spectabile, known as Beehive Ginger, is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial that produces golden coloured, beehive shaped bracts. From the bracts, small purple and white flowers emerge during the warmer months of the year. The bracts remain for some time after the flowers have finished, turning reddish brown as they dry out. They are prized for cut flowers throughout their life-cycle. The mid green, lance shaped leaves unfurl from tall, stiff stems that rise out of the underground rhizome in spring forming an attractive fountain shape. The leaves are glossy on top and downy underneath and release a ginger fragrance when crushed. In Indonesia, the plant has been used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation of the eyes. It is prepared for use by pounding the leaves of the plant into a thick paste, and then topically applying it to the required part of the body. It has also been recorded being used to treat burns, as a treatment for headaches and back pain, and as an agent for food preservation.   Specifications. 50mm Pot Size Divided Plant   Ideal Growing Conditions. Beehive Gingers like plenty of moisture, especially during the hotter months. They prefer a semi shaded rainforest border setting or shrubbery. In cooler climates, the plant becomes dormant during the colder months or during periods of drought. Pests and Diseases: Not susceptible to pests. Soil: You need a high quality potting mix, not a pre-bagged product such as you find at Bunnings etc, try a landscaping place. However, as I am not local to you I still can’t say if they have good quality or not. You are looking for well composted pine bark and large particles. This ensures air flow to the roots and good drainage. We recommend Yates Nutricote Standard Black 270 Day for a fertiliser, which can be found in our store, however any good quality slow release fertiliser will do. When time to re-pot, select a pot one size up ONLY and ensure it has many holes for good drainage. Fertiliser:  Yates Nutricote Standard Black 270 Day Controlled Release Fertiliser The Plant Runner Indoor Plant Food     We cannot send plants to Western Australia & Tasmania due to restrictions.   We strongly recommended to select Express Post shipping for all plant orders to minimise the transit time.   Interested in other species from the Ginger family? Try these Alpinia galanga (Greater Galangal) Plant Zingiber officinale (Ginger) Plant