How to grow turmeric?

La turmeric It is a plant that is used as a spice, but it is so beautiful that it is highly recommended to have it as an ornamental decorating the garden or terrace. Its growth rate is quite fast, so that you can have a beautiful specimen in just one year if the climate is mild and / or warm.

Let's see how this extraordinary plant is grown.

Turmeric characteristics

Turmeric, whose scientific name is Curcuma longa, is a rhizomatous herbaceous plant native to South Asia. It grows to a height of 1m, and has broad, lanceolate or ovate leaves, with a long petiole. emerging from the rhizome. The flowers appear grouped in inflorescences in the form of cylindrical spikes that can be of different colors: yellow, white, pink. The main rhizome is fleshy with an ovate shape, and other secondary ones that are elongated and tender come from it.

How is it grown?

If you want to have turmeric at home, take note of our tips:

• Location: plant your rhizomes or specimens in an area where it is shone by direct sunlight, leaving a distance of 30cm between them and 70cm between rows.
• Soils or substrates: they must be fertile, loose, with good sewer system.
• Planting time: late winter or early spring.
• Irrigation: it must be frequent, preventing the soil from drying out. During the hottest months, daily watering may be necessary. In case of doubt, check the humidity of the soil by inserting a thin wooden stick and check how much soil has adhered to it: if it comes out practically clean, it means that it is dry and that, therefore, it has to be watered.
• Harvest: 10 months after planting.
• Multiplication: by rhizomes or by seeds in late winter or spring.
• Rusticity: does not support frost.

Uses

Turmeric is used mostly in cooking. It is used to make curry, an ideal condiment for fish dishes. It is also used as a colorant to replace saffron, since it is much cheaper.

In addition, it has medicinal properties. Helps strengthen the immune system, lower cholesterol, heal wounds, detoxify the liver, relieve arthritis symptoms, and improve digestion. The dose must be established by a doctor, but should not exceed 2000mg / day.

Do not consume turmeric if ...:

• You are pregnant or think you may be.
• They are going to intervene soon.
• You have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• You have problems with your gallbladder.

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