I ordered stem cuttings of dichorisandra thyrsiflora (blue ginger) and have tried since Dec. to root then with no luck. The problem seems to be that they get wet logged quickly...I have tried to keep soil barely moist but still nothing. I've contact the seller and they haven't given any advice on how to root these, but I've received several more stem cuttings. Here's a photo of one when it arrived in package.



As you can see from the photo - there is a shoot from the node but the other end is very wet - no node.

Please help figure a way to get these to root

Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From herbaceous stem cuttings

What type of soil are you using? Perhaps you need to switch to a different type of media?

By the way, there is no need to go 'off site'; the information is here in our ATP database.
Blue Ginger (Dichorisandra thyrsiflora)

Betsy, how are your cuttings? Have they rooted for you, and if so, what method did you use?

Deborah, no, still nothing. A lady in HI who has these, said to place them inside a clear bag ( I had tried that but willing to try again) with barely moist soil.

I started a plant of this from a cutting that wasn't nearly as robust as that one you showed, Betsy. I think the catalyst to start it growing might be warmth. How warm are you keeping it? Is it getting too cool at night maybe?

At this time of year, our nighttime lows are around 70deg. so if it's not that warm at night where you are, maybe put the pot up on top of the fridge? Heat that baby up and see what happens!

They are starting to shrivel - the stem is strinking and turning brownish - and they are in dry soil...they are barely on top of the potting soil.
I will try the bottom heat, Elaine. Our nights are mostly 70's.

I would also keep it evenly moist, not dry Betsy. Shriveling is just as bad as rotting jmho.

I've tried to keep it barely moist- with the node end but the other end just barely under the soil. I assume that the roots will appear where the node is...

about trying to add warmth for rooting your cuttings. I had taken a couple of cuttings from some dry looking stems and placed them in water near the kitchen window, just to see if they'd root. I'd almost forgotten about them until this thread. I've also been so busy and not at home enough, but the last time I checked, they did have roots and desperately need to be transferred to soil mix.

Received 4 more cuttings - placed them in moist vermiculite and bottom heat in clear bag - got ONE and only one (which was a larger root with a 1" stem with leaf) to grow roots on the stem The roots are half an inch... Two others are still unresponsive and the 3rd has died.

Betsy, I sure hope someone is giving you those cuttings and not actually charging you money for them? They are really tiny ones, and very tiny leaves on them. I'm not surprised they're struggling.

When I started mine from a cutting (which I got in trade), the cutting was 10in. long and had several full-size leaves. It rooted right away and took off.

How are your cuttings doing @piksihk? I am rooting 2 " cuttings. One is doing great with large leaves and 2" high. The other has yet to rear her head.

I am also rooting 2 Kahili yellow gingers that are doing just swell @ about 4" tall already! The red Tower ginger I still am waiting for but I see a root. I am not very patient. I feel like digging them up!

Elaine, the company has been kind to send me more cuttings - the one with some roots I potted up in potting soil last week. The other two is still languishing...
Cheryl, where did you get the roots? On Amazon?

Three died--- the largest root may survive...saw tiny roots so potted it in soil. Keeping it moist and in bright light.