Care of the rhizomatous plant Curcuma alismatifolia or Siam tulip |
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The genus Curcuma, family Zingiberaceas, comprises 80 species of rhizomatous plants native to Southeast Asia. Some species are: Curcuma alismatifolia, Curcuma amada, Curcuma longa, Curcuma domestica, Curcuma australasica, Curcuma roscoeana, Curcuma zedoaria. Common names: Siam tulip, Summer tulip. This species is native to Laos, northern Thailand, and Cambodia. They are fast-growing rhizomatous plants that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height. The long, narrow leaves are bright green with a dark midrib. The flowers appear in a long white-pink central inflorescence of more than 20 cm (7.87") in length; they bloom in midsummer. If they grow too large, they must be supported by tutors. They are used as indoor or greenhouse plants and as cut flowers to create floral decorations. They need a bright exposure but no direct sun and high humidity (spray the leaves but not the flowers). Curcuma alismatifolia prefers a soil composed of leaf mulch, peat, and coarse sand. Water regularly so that the substrate is always damp (never water). At the end of summer reduce the waterings until they lose the leaves. Water again in spring. Fertilize in summer every 15 days with mineral fertilizer. They can suffer root rot if there is excess watering. They propagate in late winter by rhizome division. |
Images of the rhizomatous plant Curcuma alismatifolia or Siam tulip |
 Curcuma alismatifolia  Curcuma alismatifolia  Curcuma alismatifolia  Curcuma alismatifolia |