Growing Turmeric from Rhizomes, Days 0-14

Turmeric is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant (Curcuma longa) of the ginger family. It is native to Southeast Asia, and requires temperatures between 20-30 °C (68-86 °F) and a considerable amount of water to thrive. Plants are gathered annually for their rhizomes and propagated from some of those rhizomes in the following season.
When not used fresh, the rhizomes are boiled for 30-45 minutes and then dried in hot ovens, after which they are ground into an orange-yellow powder used as a coloring and flavoring agent in many Asian cuisines, especially for curries, as well as for dyeing. Turmeric powder has a warm, bitter, pepper-like flavor and earthy, mustard-like aroma.
Turmeric has been used in Asia for thousands of years and is a major part of Ayurveda, Siddha medicine, Unani, and traditional Chinese medicine, although there is no conclusive clinical evidence for use of turmeric or its main active ingredient, curcumin, as a medicine.
To get started, soak your turmeric rhizomes in a ~1% hydrogen peroxide solution in a zipper bag, then pour out the hydrogen peroxide solution and zip up the bag with some air inside and let it sit in a sunny location for 2 weeks. In this video the time frame was late August with daytime high temperatures ranging from the low-70s to mid-90s in Fahrenheit, or 22 to 34 Celsius.

[@dayseyemonkey]

with respect, gloves, peroxide, steaming the soil, chemicals?......I just throw it in some dirt outside, just add water......and part of the joy and health of gardening is getting my hands in the earth, the microbes and symbiots are healthy.

[@lukejones1244]

Clearly suffering with depression.

[@jaredbackus1416]

@@lukejones1244 can't be to careful..lol

[@AlternicityBlogspot]

4:49

[@shankaririse9194]

To each his own... I am grateful to him for sharing his ideas and video!

[@johnwquick]

Daisy Songandance you are so correct but it's nice to see the alternatives as well but I'm like you also!👣👣👣

[@sunnyd9710]

That turmeric which doesn’t shoot was in the dormancy..It takes about 40-45 days to get a shoot from the turmeric..Best season to grow is beginning of April till first half of may,though I just planted in June..Moreover it’s best to grow turmeric directly in red soil mixed with a little vermicompost and cow dung manure..The ratio would be Red soil 50 percent and rest 25 + 25 ..And then no need to fertilise it for next 5 months…That’s it..After 5 months give it a dig about half n inch for loosing the soil and put a little fertilizer like neem cake or cow dung…as At this stage turmeric is 70 percent ready and moreover turmeric don’t get any crop pest on it but yes it can rot by overwatering..Keep it in full sun at least 6-7 hrs a day and after 9 months in total the turmeric plant will dry..After drying stop watering and wait for 15 days ,it’s time to harvest !! ..I m New Delhi ,India but turmeric is the best crop to grow as you need not to worry about insects or fungus..It’s holy ,or we can say turmeric is blessed 🤩..Thank you !!

[@christopherhorn5274]

Correct your humidity and you won't have spider mites. Top dress with sand and you won't have fungus gnats.

[@MeyRevived]

Ooh turmeric! I can't wait for more of this series. The leafs of this plant are also nicer to look at than ginger. Keep us updated

[@TheMelvinWei]

Looks like I'm off to a good start, hope the one in the planter shows us the beautiful foliage soon!

[@jenniferjones2172]

@@TheMelvinWei I am searching for Part 2 of 2 and can't find it. Please Help

[@Pamlg]

@@jenniferjones2172 same - I wanted to see how this turned out

[@sandym340]

​@@TheMelvinWeiwhere is part 2?

[@kumarimailavelu3535]

Isn't turmeric anti fungal and anti bacterial naturally

[@trishhoney2172]

Why would you want to kill the bacteria and fungi?? The very things that grow healthy soil and plants.

[@FknNefFy]

...Not when rooting and with open cuts to the plant... Use your brain you can’t just parrot off things people say on KZbin with such authority..... There are good and bad bacteria microbes and all kinds of things in the soil for seating and rooting cuttings and air pruning and things like that -you do not want bacteria in your soil do you want all the energy to go to the root and you don’t want anything that can compromise it basically. Like he would never cut off most of the leaves to a plant you were growing unless it was a cutting and you were trying to focus the energy on the roots ...ya know, sometimes you just have to think a little bit about things and once you understand”l WHY, then you can understand how to apply to the knowledge better

[@adampetherick7836]

Thankyou with this method . I successfully. Germinated 30 rhizomes from the store

[@maytt675]

Soil is alive because the soil food web makes it so (see Dr.Elaine Ingham explain). Sterile dirt "drugged" with petrochemicals is a major contributor to human illness. Neither we, nor plants, are designed to thrive in a sterile environment.

[@marukundesu3529]

This is like some dexter work. I buy some turmeric at the grocery put them in pot and water them then wait for them grow

[@rosejafari8917]

I couldn't find the update on the turmeric. I'm cleaning some rhizomes and I see a few with buds coming out. Please post your update on what they look like and your harvest. It would be much appreciated. Thank you for your encouragement.

[@awesomebuddysmile]

Your turmeric rhizomes look clean and safe to sprout.

[@aroucagirl1898]

Thank you so much. This is going to be my first attempt growing ginger and tumeric. I'll sterilize both this weekend and look for pieces with buds.

[@thunderlord2200]

Can u soak them in plastic ware instead of bags?

[@donaldjones8920]

Can't believe that he planted that rhizome vertically. He should know if he has grown ginger that the rhizomes grow horizontally in the soil. He doesn't know what he is doing.

[@frankroper3274]

That's a great idea! Get all the germs and microbes off of the roots so you can stick them in some dirt!

[@Christensengarden]

Love this info. Thanks so much for your time and effort.

[@wzm6476]

Thanks for sharing Melvin - nicely explained.

[@freelivingtennessee]

So you soak woth peroxide, let sit in bag without the liquid, but with a little air, and in a sunny window or grow light, and then you pot it up after seeding sprouts. I’m doing this this week. Grew small harvest of ginger last year in NY so I’m trying tumeric and ginger this year

[@ChicquitaMBCrawford]

I ordered some tumeric rhizomes from online this year. Held them over the winter since something was eating all my citrus and succulents inside. I pulled all but 2 out to plant, dropped them in a clothe plant bag with a mixture of soil and other stuff. In less than 2 weeks, both my ginger and turmeric were spouting. I was so excited. The ginger was from a piece left over from the store. I'm going to try planting the other tumeric in the ground, although it's very cold here in the winter; zone 7B. I'm not sure about storing extras for use the following year. Whenever I use peroxide, it seems to kill everything; nothing grows or it takes much longer to grow. Not sure why. But maybe it needs to be in the bag as you had, first to speed up the process.

[@flowerchild777]

What happened to the turmeric? Was it a fail?

[@Bitsurf24]

How long was the turmeric left in the water plus hydrogen peroxide mix - how many days and where do you leave this - at room temp?

[@ENFPerspectives]

Dude you just depressed me about my store potting soil 😭

[@anthonypalumbo4692]

try putting a plastic over pot to create moisture for you root hold it down with a rubber band.

[@truthwillsetyoufree8252]

How did the rest of your Turmeric growing experience go?

[@forageforage3520]

It seems, the more successful rizomes are those which actually can still "bud". Mostly, they'll rot out long before they bud..but if you place them in dry dark place for a few weeks they may force the budding! However, your method may be quicker..Will give it a try.

[@JoshuaCromerTodd]

Man, I love this. I have failed at getting g this to grow. I'm going to try this method. Wait, just checked And don't see an update Md this was a video from 8 more than ago. Why didn't you update??

[@TheMelvinWei]

Hi Joshua, I didn't update because these dried out in a big pot of potting mix (it was really hot and I underestimated how much I needed to water)...at that point several of my plants didn't look salvageable, including these turmeric rhizomes, so I threw them out and moved on. I could try again but I have a lot of new series in progress at the moment.

[@JoshuaCromerTodd]

Melvin Wei if you had kept them watered, would they have come up? I really want to make turmeric work in my back yard!

[@TheMelvinWei]

Right now I'm working with the method of smaller pots full of clay soil (that's what's available to me outside in the wild) with the seeds planted in the clay, bagged up in garbage bags airtight and sitting on a heat mat, I think it might work for a lot of seeds, cuttings, rhizomes, and tubers that require warm to hot temperatures to germinate and grow faster. My temps range between 84-94 F in the bags; I think anything in the 80s or 90s below human body temp should be great for germination and growth. I just started using this method for fruit seeds but I'm thinking it could work for turmeric and plants like ginger, etc. to get started much quicker. Once the root systems are established then I'll take the pots outside. If you want to try this turmeric in a bag sterile with hydrogen peroxide maybe have it sitting on a heat mat indoors or on top of a warm appliance like a desktop computer. I think that would get started much faster than having it sit outside enduring cold nights.

[@annieopdahl7521]

You’re treatment with hydrogen peroxide is exactly what I needed! My 41 year old Shamrock plant, divided and re-potted many times and very healthy, became infested with SOMETHING that no eco-friendly method or substance could eradicate. I’m hoping that doing this to a few rhizomes with solve the problem. Genius! Thank you.

[@TheMelvinWei]

I'm glad you found the idea useful! Hydrogen peroxide is 100% clean, breaking down into pure oxygen and water. It's the safest method to kill bugs and clean plant tissue.

[@dobitel9]

So how did the turmeric grow, I don't see an update of it. I am growing them too, but sometimes starting them is hard. They can stay dormant in the soil for 4 months before they sprout. I have found that a layer of sawdust over them after planting in soil will help fast sprout and growth, not sure why. They also seem to like clay soil, but digging them out gets difficult at harvest.

[@stuartadventures2177]

good techniques for when we arrive on mars or a penthouse.....dirt is good for you, get the balance right then no problems, promote micro organisms don't kill them friend!! :)

[@matthewpainton7255]

What about the beneficial micorrhizae and soil biome essential for plant health and resilience?

[@anjalidasi]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought this!

[@Ralphgtx280]

will this still work if I pour the water in instead of showering it in ?

[@tonioyendis4464]

Ralphgtx280 - use rich water instead of poor!

[@Ralphgtx280]

so I should poor out the pour water and use fiji water :P

[@quailsnest8354]

Hello, i stumbeled onto your channel for info on growing turmeric from Rhizones and you mentioned to come back for more updates.. I realized that this video was in 2017, so went to your website to search for the update on the video and i didn/t see it within all the other videos, was just wondering if there was an update video made and if so do you have the number for it so that i can find it within your video page.??? I am starting to go some Rhizomes and really could use your expert knowledge on this subject.. I also noticed in Comments that others are looking for part two also... thank you..

[@eurekaelephant2714]

Thanks for a great video, but just some things. Remember you are killing good bacteria which the soil needs for the plants, too. There is no need to steam anything unless youre having a lot of trouble with disease in your soil. I personally wouldn't use hydrogen peroxide on any food I was going to consume. Sorry for criticisms, just thought it might be of value.

[@ddahstan6876]

Thank you for all your informative tips!

[@fashionsavvy611]

Can I ask u what agriculture zone are you in.

[@chunfu2]

I've grown them before, they're easier to grow than gingers and are capable of naturalizing in their envrioment. Ginger has a far more appealing taste though.

[@TheMelvinWei]

I kept hearing about turmeric and wanted to try growing it. HK is great for these ginger type of rhizome plants.

[@chunfu2]

The only thing I like about tumeric is it's flowers, and yes it has some lovely leafs but overall I'm not fond of the taste. And yeah, the climate here is great for Tumeric, it grows perfectly here and I've seen them naturalize here in abandoned places too. Someone told me that tumeric is even a weed in some places because it grows so well, so in general I just don't like tumeric. Too bad it actually grows better than ginger.

[@TheMelvinWei]

I've only eaten it in curries. So free turmeric grows in the wild over there? That's nice for anyone who uses it in the kitchen. I think I'll give ginger another try at some point. Getting it to germinate wasn't my problem, getting it to grow well later on was. I think I didn't use enough fertilizer so my ginger leaves all died at the edges. I overwatered too.

[@chunfu2]

No I'm not saying it's native here, I'm saying it could naturalize itself here given the right conditions since turmeric grows so well here. Turmeric would be easier to grow compared to ginger so I think you would do well with it. It tastes bitter if you eat them directly after cooking, just another reason why I prefer ginger. Ginger is actually easy to grow too but it needs good drainage and decently fertile soil. Turmeric isn't so fuzzy on the other hand.

[@chunfu2]

Vanilla pudding? Huh, never knew that. o-o

[@smithpianoservicing3421]

I wonder how chlorine dioxide CDS would do for sterilizing

[@ChristopherPisz]

i'm confused. you put them in a bag, rinsed with h202, then emptied the liquid out of the bag into soil. Did you leave the rhyzomes in a bag with new water? If so, how long? Then you put them in potting mixed with all your amendments?

[@amysnipes4245]

I appreciate all the sterilization. I do the same with fig cuttings.

[@tinagodsey1023]

I used half water and half vinegar. Did I ruin them?? 😱

[@Truth_speaks612]

Did u put holes in the zip lock?

[@tedscott1478]

How do you steam sterilise?

[@kathyguia2677]

My tumeric plant has brown curled leaves and tiny holes in the leaves. Any suggestions on what to do? Please.

[@sparksfly2557]

How do you sterilize soil? Can you use organic soil, in place of sterilizing?

[@geofffowler6486]

100% OCD guy. Clean this clean that, it it the microbes and funghi that are the building blocks to good soil. I just wash it, sprout it and stick it out in the garden in a different section from where it came. Gloves, peroxide, steam sterile, come on man, really.

[@milanetc4865]

Steam sterilised potting mix? Wow

[@angelapalmer9062]

Very nice tips thank you 😊

[@garyddavis5028]

Where're is a good place to buy turmeric. I like your video and want to try this than you for sharing! I have read that turmeric is very good for health.

[@shreeumate9071]

Gary D Davis we in india can provide you turmeric

[@makutzi]

Cool Video, however way too much bla bla bla on peroxide etc etc - what is with the gloves?

[@alanheadrick7997]

I soaked mine in water over night and stuck them in the garden. My ginger grew out of control, so I guess Tumeric should be the same

[@miguelnavarro3830]

where can I buy Turmeric Rhizomes for planting ? Thanks...!!

[@kevinscott8356]

Wholefoods

[@fainitesbarley2245]

A good greengrocer

[@Pavazamalli]

Any indian grocery store

[@pyramydseven]

Where'd you go?

[@jameshetfieldserbia]

Thank you so much for a wonderful video! much peroxide love from Serbia

[@TheMelvinWei]

Thanks for watching!

[@honeybeartiger7567]

Serbia rocks! ❤🇷🇸❤ Nice video, thank's! ☺

[@carmenortiz5294]

lost me at Miracle Grow.

[@cidlagunas4234]

Too much info on peroxide.

[@ChrisDoss12]

Do you want the heat or cool for sprouting?

[@mirjanamirjana7159]

5:17 heat

[@joqerjoe3716]

Instead of Chlorine, I pour a gallon of 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide in my swimming pool. I keep it at a ratio of 50 ppm and never have algae issues. I also have a UV light water sanitizer.

[@forageforage3520]

2019..just bought a package 6ounces..$8.00 WOW.. I know it takes a long time to grow..so let's grow it ourselves.

[@samitha8243]

Omg in here Asia it's very cheap

[@Truth_speaks612]

Can I add sodium hypochlorite

[@freelivingtennessee]

How long did you soak the tumeric for before draining the bag

[@hotrodrebel855]

He says in text at the bottom @2:40 to soak for about 5 minutes... easy to miss while watching the actual video tho!

[@freelivingtennessee]

@@hotrodrebel855 I watched this video like 7 times and I swear I missed it every time! I actually soaked my ginger and tumeric for 12 hours in this mixture under light (I hear the light breaks down the peroxide into water) And my ginger sprouted in 12 days! It took me almost 1.5 months last year bc of my inexperience.

[@freelivingtennessee]

@@hotrodrebel855 OH! It was written on the bottom of the screen, I always have captions on so it was covered up!

[@pablomerel971]

Putting miracle grow is not natural

[@forageforage3520]

Well at least the version of Miracle Grow..they now have a very organic version.

[@pablomerel971]

@@forageforage3520 I guess I have to look into it. Putting discarded organic scrap should be better, I think...

[@forageforage3520]

yes... agreed,...composting food waste..is ideal..but not always an option... unfortunately.

[@trumplostlol3007]

Don't use potting mix. Use peat moss.

[@shellylarue9661]

You never did an update😕😞

[@cushionofair]

I just bought some much smaller rhizomes at winco I didn't even think about sterilizing them but will ozonate them like I do for my spouting seeds . I use sea water precipitate or Ormus for all my essential minerals and trace minerals .I've never seen anyone top dress with miracle grow I think that would burn a living plant the dose is 1 table spoon per gallon of water may I recommend getting a gallon of pure blend pro organic , plants grow big , rich and green from it . The plant could probably live off the energy in the rhizome for a while this would allow the plant to thrive before you try and find the proper fertilizer regiment .Good luck

[@lolitabonita08]

anyone that calls themselves farmers or gardeners and use gloves are not the real thing...to have a connection with plants and soil one must have hands without "gloves"

[@michaelangelo2248]

Did you major in biology?

[@TheMelvinWei]

Yes, molecular biology for BS and MS.

[@eccremocarpusscaber5159]

Peroxide studies? 😆

[@TubersAndPotatoes]

@@TheMelvinWei Interesting, explains the obsession with a sterile environment. Would you happen to know how good are beneficial soil microbes (e.g. AMF) and their effects on these Rhizomes? That's what I usually do when I sterilize my soil with fumigants, I let the soil rest for awhile before adding back beneficial soil microbes.

[@derekm3638]

Miracle grow and peroxide. Ridiculous

[@FknNefFy]

Jesus how frustrating I would not have the patience to make these videos with all the questions people ask that they could easily Google it’s like yeah let me take the time to answer this question I’ve already talked about a bazillion times on KZbin and take time away from my life or making a new informative videos ...NO! Go to Google I just type your same exact question in a different place and you’ll get an immediate response, people.... this is a demo not a fucking Alexa! ...besides, you’re REALLY not gonna go look up your answer before he happens to see your question and maybe responds.......(if not then it’s not worth his time either) ... then counting on the off-chance that YOU happen to see that response?🤔 😑I would roll my eyes and slap myself in the face and stop making KZbin videos.... I’d lose hope and ever teaching people things and quit if this is my channel 🙎🏼‍♀️but that’s why it’s not. ✌🏻😃 Wow I don’t know where that came from ha ha getting a little defensive over your videos and people being dumb can you make a video on how to be a grasshopper. Because I need help to grow some patience.... do you think that would work in zone eight? How many months will it take?🤓🙏

[@douglasgault5458]

No thank you! the minute you touched Miracle Grow I was gone. Chemical fertilizer are deadly

[@harrowkay1296]

Fun-jie

[@lolitabonita08]

root and fungal issues is because too much water...u are wasting your time with peroxide and all other stuff u do...

[@qleartearcrusade9361]

I think this video went on FAR too long and most of that stuff is just unnecessary.

[@truevisionmedia3991]

U not growing vegetables u are growing chemicalsss

[@lalithaliyanage6910]

bla bla bla....

[@TheMaxrudy]

Half of your the video is about chemical experiment...rizomes devlope even if you kerp fresh turmeric in dark place...get rid of all those fancy stuff... ,

[@celticwarrior777]

too much hp i use it orally in water for one minute cure book def dont need thsat much. turns to oxygem im water. you dont need the hp wash it thats it

[@user-vz4br9vl1r]

Also pronounce it correctly. Too much !!

[@molonlabe7750]

Miracle grow is garbage made by Bayer/Monsanto. Eat up buddy!

[@justgivemethetruth]

Useless

[@natalianakoriakova8084]

Boooooring like hell