Curcuma - Turmeric

DESCRIPTION: These are tropical, herbaceous plants that can be grown in a warm, humid greenhouse having a minimum winter temperature of 60 degrees. The most important kind is C. longa, a native of India, but widely cultivated throughout India, Ceylon, the East Indies, Fiji and Queensland for its underground stems from which, when dried and ground, the Turmeric of commerce is manufactured. Turmeric is orange-yellow in color and has a very distinct aroma. It is in demand as a condiment in Indian cookery and is the base of many curry powders. In addition to C. longa, C. petiolata and C. Roscoeana, both natives of Burma, are grown for their ornamental leaves and flowers.

POTTING: When grown in a hothouse, Curcuma must be potted in well-drained soil of peat and loam mixed with small pieces of sandstone, charcoal or soft broken brick and coarse sand. The atmosphere must be humid.

PROPAGATION:

VARIETIES: C. longa; C. petiolata; C. Roscoeana.

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