To Gamble or Not!!!

I have quite a busy day out today with Tori! So I thought I would pop some info on here to help the pip growers amongst you!!!

These are 2 of the more difficult 'pips' to grow so are quite a Gamble!!!

Ginger

This plant is a perennial, dying down in winter, when it needs a temperature of 55F (13C)and shooting up in spring. In theory it is possible to propagate the ginger plant from the dried roots bought for flavouring. The dried ginger 'root' called 'hands' because of the way rhizomes are grouped, are imported in two forms, coated and uncoated. The latter have been peeled and processed and are usually sold pre-packed, there is no hope of growing these. The uncoated roots are more likely to be sold by the non-supermarket grocer.
Plant the pieces of root close together in soiless compost kept moist and as warm as possible. If nothing has happened after a couple of months, nothing will. If a piece of rhizome does shoot it should be potted up separately and grown on in a warm room. The plant resents direct sunlight and if the temperature is reasonable will succeed in a north window. It needs plenty of water in spring and summer, but after October, when the leaves die off, the roots should be kept dry. If you 'Google' root ginger and image there are a couple of sprouted rhizomes to inspire you!

Date Palm


Some of my stones in soak!!!

The date stone is very, very hard and sometimes infertile and needs alot of warmth to start it on its way. The only way to cope with infertility problem is to plant as many stones as you collect.........
Collect all the stones from your box of dates and soak for 48 hrs in tepid water. Put a thick layer of soiless compost in the bottom of a poly bag, spread the date stones over and cover with another layer pf compost. Tie bag tightly and place in airing cupboard or some other really warm spot. As you get more stones treat them in the same way, adding them to the same bag. You can repeat this for as long as you eat dates!!! The contes of the bag need an occasional sprinkling of water and an inspection for signs of germination. As long as they are kept warm and moist it doesn't matter if they get mixed up!
A stone that shows signs of germination-usually the appearance of a root- is potted up by itself in soil-less compost in a smallish pot, about an inch below the surface and care nust be taken not to break the root.Keep the compost moist and once a root has popped through the pot must be put in a light place. A heated propergator is ideal, but a window sill in a warm room especially near a radiator is better.

Let me know how your going please!!