Lemongrass

[rauni]

Has anyone successfully grown Lemongrass, as used in Thai cooking?
I took Bob Flowerdew's advice, and put some stalks from the supermarket in a glass of water to root. Didn't think it would work as they were only 7p, reduced due to old age, and a bit dry. Kept the faith, and eventually they rooted beautifully. I've now potted them up, but I'm not sure if I should have trimmed the root crown down a bit before I started. They have a lot of thick stalk to burst through with new leaves. I'm in two minds about pruning one down to make it easier for it sprout. I've got three so I could experiment, but I don't want to stunt the new growth if it's inside the old stalk. Does it come from the centre or from the side? Am sort of hoping spring will do it, and they'll burst out in growth whatever I do! Anyone with any experience, wise words welcome.
Looking forward to Thai Green curry and spicy noodles....

[rauni]

it's growing!

Thought I'd reply to myself for other's info. Should have believed Bob when he said it was easy to grow. Unsurprisingly, Lemongrass grows like a grass, from the bottom of the stem. The dried stems are being burst through by fresh shoots, and they're all about a foot and a half tall now. If anyone wants to grow them, I'd advise trimming the stem down to about 4cm or so. Mine were about 10cm, which was a bit long I think.
Still looking forward to Thai curry!

[andrewo]

Well you learn something new everyday, do you have to grow it undercover or will it do okay outdoors?

[rauni]

Passing on Bob's advice again; treat it like a houseplant. I intend to keep it in the house until its really warm enough outside, then put it in the greenhouse. I don't have a conservatory (yet) but I imagine that would be the best thing; warm and light. Outdoors might well be alright in the summer. Its a vigorous weed where its native, so I figure a trial is worthwhile. I'm a bit short of those optimum 'warm sunny windowsills' in my house. All face east or west, and are only 3" wide. Apparently it makes a big clump of grass, with razor sharp edges, and you pull off young side shoots for cooking with.

[Jaxom]

Rauni, thanks for the update. I am very new to growing vegetables so lack the experience to advise on things like Lemongrass but found your own reply very helpful.
I have only bought lemongrass once but can honestly say it pepped up the soup I was making a treat.
Jax

[nick the grief]

good to look at & useful .... sounds like me

[nick the grief]

Having spoilt they wife earlier,I have also had a tidy up in the little greenhouse today & if things continue as they are I think I'll be moving some of the Chrysanths in to the cold frames.

[Lesley Jay]

Rauni thanks for the instructions about growing lemon grass - it's really useful. Now have a go at growing ginger. That is supposed to be very easy.

[andrewo]

Thanks for the info, hmmmmm ginger....

[nick the grief]

Ginger is easy. If you can grow Dahlia's you can grow Ginger. You can even plant a bit that you break of a peice fromthe supermarket - not that I'm advocating going around nobbling bits of ginger you understand.

[andrewo]

What about the soil mix, compost, I read on another part of this forum that someone was having a problem with their ginger because of this or is that another plant?

[nick the grief]

I've always just used multipurpose in the past Andrew & it's been fine

[rauni]

I'm really not experienced! Just read like mental, and allow enthusiasm to fill major gaps. (Bob Flowerdew's 'Gourmet Gardener' is my favourite book, because its all about taste). Lemongrass is going like a train now. I'm also trying ginger (for the second time, last time it died off). Seems very slow to me, but it is growing. I've heard you have to be careful not to over water it, e.g. water from bottom of pot.

[Jaxom]

I'm really not experienced! Just read like mental, and allow enthusiasm to fill major gaps.

Rauni, I see we go to the same school.
Jax

[nick the grief]

It's as good a way to learn as any Jax & Rauni. I read load's (not novels ) and as they say, you learn by your mistakes. The main thing is confidence. If you gat a reasonable grounding in whatever, this will give you the confidence to have a go and because you know the major pitfalls things usually work out OK - this is probably the reason for beginners luck!

That's what I enjoy so much about my allotment. I love these places & to walk around the site with a cuppa on one of my many tea breaks & have a nosey at what people have done & the way they "re-invent" things. The speeciallity on our site are Greenhouses made from Georgia windows complete with Bulls eye glass!