Growing Unusual Fruits and Vegetables from the Grocery Store

By Bubbles
December 15, 2011

Have you ever wandered through a grocery produce section and wondered how some of the more exotic fruits and vegetables are grown and how they should be prepared? I recently roamed the aisles of a local grocery that caters to our city's growing international transplants. I had never seen so many root vegetables that were unknown to me. My husband wasn't along and therefore could not be embarrassed by his wife, so I asked permission to photograph some of the produce with my phone. The produce manager smiled and said, "People do it all the time."

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Dec 29, 2011 5:23 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sylvain Forest
Delray Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Almost like Lucy and me.
Container Gardener Region: Florida Orchids Plumerias Ponds Plant and/or Seed Trader
Tropicals
Hi, everyone.

I grow ginger. I truly enjoy it. It started simply enough. I went to the grocery store and noticed that the ginger roots in the display had little nubs about the size of a chick pea that were turning green at the tip. I bought 2 or 3 roots, just for planting purposes. I removed the little nubs and stuck them into a large pot containing big philodendrons. I only planted them deep enough for the green tips to be at soil level. I then set them on autopilot by watering and fertilizing the philos, and not worrying about the ginger too much. A while later, I noticed new plants growing in there. My ginger plants grow to about 5 feet tall. They are topped by a very pretty white flower. They enjoy regular fertilizer, copious watering and mostly shade. When I'm ready to harvest it, I cut down the plant, dig up the rhizome, replant any little green nubs as before and keep on going. We haven't bought any ginger in a while.

Take care,
Sylvain.
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Dec 29, 2011 5:35 PM CST
Name: Sandi
Austin, Tx (Zone 8b)
Texas Gardening
Forum moderator Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Plant Identifier Master Gardener: Texas
Region: Texas Tropicals Plumerias Ferns Greenhouse Garden Art
Thanks for posting your experience growing ginger. I've never seen mine flower. I would love to see the white flower. I thought it only bloomed yellow. I learn something new every day!
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Dec 29, 2011 7:40 PM CST
Name: Marylyn
Houston, TX (Zone 9a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I sent a postcard to Randy! Region: Texas Daylilies Lilies
Cat Lover Garden Ideas: Level 1
Thanks, Sylvain!!
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Dec 30, 2011 9:01 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sylvain Forest
Delray Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Almost like Lucy and me.
Container Gardener Region: Florida Orchids Plumerias Ponds Plant and/or Seed Trader
Tropicals
I am not at home right now. I will post a picture of the flowers when I return. They are pretty, but have no scent.

Sylvain.
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Dec 30, 2011 9:30 AM CST
Name: Sandi
Austin, Tx (Zone 8b)
Texas Gardening
Forum moderator Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Plant Identifier Master Gardener: Texas
Region: Texas Tropicals Plumerias Ferns Greenhouse Garden Art
We'll look forward to it!
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