Alpinia MALACCENSIS

Alpinia MALACCENSIS - Malacca alpinia, Malacca ginger, Alpinia malaccensis.

The genus Alpinia numbers about 250 species distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia. The genus name Alpinia was given in honor of the famous Italian physician and traveler P. Alpino. Alpinia is a plant with a long, horizontal, heavily branched reddish-brown rhizome. One stem emerges from each branch of the rhizome, so a well-developed plant has 25 - 40 stems, of which only some bear inflorescences.

Malacca alpinia is a plant with a smooth, nearly cylindrical rhizome 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter. Stems are up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall. Leaves are linear-lanceolate, entire, up to 30 cm (12 in) long. Flowers are white, gathered in a dense conical raceme. The rhizome is used as a spice.

Seeds are soaked in warm water. Planting mix: loam (chernozem), leaf-humus substrate, a little peat and sand, maintained in a moist state at a temperature of 26-28 °C (79-82 °F).

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Alpinia prefers intense diffused light without direct sunlight. In summer, the optimal temperature is 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). In winter, a temperature of around 15-18 °C (59-64 °F) and good lighting are desirable. From early spring until autumn, watering is copious with constant misting. In winter, watering is reduced, watered so that between waterings the substrate dries slightly. Misting is continued. From April until October, feedings are applied every two weeks using mineral and organic fertilizers for houseplants at standard concentration. Plants are repotted in February-March, young specimens annually, mature ones as needed every 2-3 years. The substrate is prepared from leaf mold, humus, peat, and sand (in a 1:1:1:1:0.5 ratio).