Introduction
Curcuma (/ˈkɜːrkjʊmə/) is a genus of plants in the family Zingiberaceae that contains such species as turmeric and Siam tulip. They are native to Southeast Asia, southern China, the Indian Subcontinent, New Guinea and northern Australia. These beautiful flowering plants are prized for their showy and colourful flowers.
These plants are a little more sensitive and as such bring a challenge that offers gardeners a rewarding feeling for keeping healthy and vibrant flowering plants.
Common Issues
Curcumas can suffer from several issues, some of the most common ones being:
Overwatering: Curcumas are sensitive to overwatering, which can cause the roots to rot. It's important to allow the soil to dry out slightly (but not completely) before watering again.
Underwatering: Conversely, underwatering can also be a problem, causing the leaves to droop and turn brown. These plants prefer consistently moist soil, so it's important to water them regularly, but not too frequently.
Improper lighting: Bright, indirect light is needed for these plants to thrive. Too little light can cause the leaves to become pale, while too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and flowers.
Pests: Common pests that can affect Curcumas include spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. These can be treated with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Watering
To determine whether you are watering your Curcuma enough, you should check the soil moisture level regularly. The easiest way to check the moisture leve is to simply push your finger into the soil. Insert your index finger into the soil up to the first knuckle. If the soil feels dry at that depth, it's time to water your plant.
Curcumas like consistently moist soil (the key word being moist, not soggy). Keep an eye on your plant's leaves and flowers as they will always communicate to you whether the plant is thriving and healthy, or needs attention.
Placement and Indoor Care
When placing Curcumas indoors, there are few key things to consider, the first being lighting. These plants prefer bright, indirect light, so placing them near a window with filtered sunlight is best. A sheer curtain can be used to diffuse direct sunlight as well!
Temperature is another factor to consider. 20-29 degrees Celsius is ideal. Like most tropical plants, Curcumas won't do well near A/C vents or sitting in cold drafts, so it's best to keep that in mind as well.
Being a native to tropical regions, a humid environment is also a plus. This can be acheived using a humidifer if needed, or at least making sure to lightly mist the plant every couple of days to help your plant to thrive.
Of course, fertilizing your plants regularly during the growing season is advisable. Your local nursery should be able to give you the correct guidance and products for this.
Repotting is another consideration, and it's good practice to re-pot your Curcuma once every 1-2 years, into a slightly bigger pot which can adequately accommodate your growing plant.
Conclusion
With their beautifully unique flowers, Curcumas are a real eye-catcher around the home or office, and with a little attention, are not terribly difficult to keep healthy!
