Variegated Alpinias

[Kit]

Talked to ginger expert Tom Wood at the Fairchild Ramble (annual fair
and plant sale).

Ann recently published a spectacular photo of A. formosana. It has
thin, regular white pin stripes on spear-shaped leaves with an erect
inflorescence and the labellum of the flowers is red.

I was sold a ginger that was supposed to be A. formosana and I noticed
several differences from Ann's plant.

Turns out my plant is A. vitata. It has more irregular white stripes
and some of the spear-shaped leaves are mostly green (at least this
time of year). The inflorescences are pendant and the flowers are
white - relatively insignificant.

The common A. zerumbet variegata has broad, oblong leaves with creamy
yellow irregular markings. It is mass produced in tissue culture
primarily for foliage and the flowers are usually indifferent or
absent - not at all like the normal species.

Tom says there is another white variegated broadleafed Alpinia sp but
it is as yet unnamed or at least unidentified. He told me to get in
touch with the director of Waimea in HI who apparently has that
species. It is not yet widely in CV.

[ariscott]

Any photo Kit? I think mine is the same as Ann's. It just flowered the
other day for the first time in a pot :).

Regards, Ari :)

[Kit]

Alpinia formosana (in a nursery in Miami) not as nice as Ann's

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/Kit0_0/Alpiniaformosanacopy.jpg

Alpinia vitata. This is an old leaf from a stalk that has just
finished blooming. The plant is very dry right now but there are some
new stalks that might bloom soon. Will keep an eye out for flowers.
The plant is abt 2 M (6 ft) tall now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/Kit0_0/Alpiniavitatalv11-07.jpg