Watering: Regular - Plant Encyclopedia Results (Page 284)

Golden Princess (Zingiber sp.) is a small plant that grows 2-5 ft tall and wide. It has lush green foliage and blooms with beautiful yellow, orange flowers. The blooms are highly fragrant and release an inviting scent into the surrounding environment.

This tropical plant prefers a semi-shaded location, with regular watering. When growing Golden Princess in USDA Zones 9-11, especially in cooler regions, regular watering and fertilizing are essential to keep plants healthy. It is also important to protect plants from frost and provide protection from strong winds. To ensure successful growth, place the pot in an area that receives plenty of indirect sunlight.

Golden Princess can be easily propagated from cuttings towards the end of the summer, when it is hot and the humidity is high. This process is best done when the temperature is warm during the day, but not too hot at night.

In areas with colder climates, Golden Princess should be grown from a pot. The pot should be kept in a warm, protected area, such as in a sheltered spot, away from cold winds. To keep the plant healthy and blooming, water regularly and fertilize during the spring and summer months.

Overall, Golden Princess is a great addition to any garden, patio or balcony. It can bring vibrancy and the unmistakable, sweet fragrance of its bright, yellow flowers. With regular water and fertilizer, and protection from frost, it can provide years of enjoyment and beauty.

Zingiber spectabile (Beehive Ginger) is a small plant typically found in the Malaya region, and is known for its ornamental foliage, fragrant yellow and orange flowers, and mature plant's hardiness in cold temperatures. The mounding plant can reach up to 2-5 ft in height and width and prefers a location with full sun to semi-shade exposure, and regular watering. In USDA Zone 10-11, the Beehive Ginger displays a lovely display of flowers from July through late November.

Grown in pots, this plant still needs plenty of water, and should be able to tolerate temperatures at least as low as 30s F for a short amount of time, if given sufficient protection from harsh wind and cold. Watering should be done consistently and preferably with plain water, so as to not damage the soil's pH levels. For added protection against chilly climates, top the soil with a layer of mulch to help hold in the moisture and add an extra layer of insulation. Be sure to fertilize the Beehive Ginger regularly to ensure healthy growth.

Pinecone ginger is considered a canoe plant, that is, a plant introduced throughout the Pacific by the ancient Polynesian settlers. All parts of the pinecone ginger are spicy fragrant. The leaves and inflorescences of the pinecone ginger arise from a thick knobby rhizome that grows just under the surface of the soil. The leaflets are arranged alternately along an arching pseudostem that grows one to two meters (3 to 7 feet) in length. The inflorescence is borne on a separate pseudostem from the leaves. It is a spike; bracts subtend the position of each of the flowers giving the inflorescence its pinecone shape. The inflorescence is green until flowering. The pale yellow or white flowers emerge from the lowest bracts first, when the flower is spent, it dries and falls away. After flowering, the bracts change color. The color change continues upward until the entire inflorescence is bright crimson. This is an excellent fast-growing landscape plant for tropical effect, and the cone shaped flowers are long lasting and useful for cut flower arrangements. This plant is most widely known around the world as the "Shampoo Ginger" for the milky substance in the cones, and it is in fact used as a shampoo in Asia and Hawaii, and as an ingredient in several commercial shampoos. In mid to late summer, separate stalks grow out of the ground with green cone-shaped bracts that resemble pinecones. The green cone turns red over a couple of weeks and then small creamy yellow flowers appear on the cone.

Zygopetalum sp. is a small shrub from South America reaching between 2-5 feet in height; it is an epiphyte, meaning it needs to be grown attached to a tree or piece of wood. The uncommon and unusual features of this plant blooms make them quite sought after. Zygopetalum enjoys a moderate climate and can tolerate some full sun, but prefers semi-shade. In areas with colder winters, it can also be grown in pots in a greenhouse or on a patio, as long as precautions are taken to protect its roots from freezing temperatures.

Regular watering is important to keep Zygopetalum sp. in good health, however excessive soil moisture can cause rot. Because of this, it is important to use a soil or potting mix with good drainage. Fertilizing during the growing season can help to keep the plant healthy and encourage better blooming.

The rarity and beauty of Zygopetalum sp. is what sets it apart from other plants. Its blooms are unusual in that they come in a variety of shapes and colors, ranging from bright white to shades of purple and pink with yellow throats. The flowers are often fragrant, adding to its charm.

With proper care, Zygopetalum sp. can make an excellent addition to any garden or home. Its tall stems and unusual blooms can provide a unique addition to any outdoor space. Even those who live in colder climates can enjoy it, by protecting it through the winter and bringing it indoors if needed.