Grow turmeric yourself - this is how saffron root can be grown

Grow turmeric yourself as a flowering plant and cooking ingredient

This is why turmeric is worth growing

Most of the people in this country have already seen a turmeric plant in a horticultural store and admired its blossoms on a pseudo-stem of leaves. In contrast to many other flowering plants with similarly striking flowers, turmeric is not poisonous. Unfortunately, a lack of knowledge about caring for these plants is to blame for the fact that they are often disposed of prematurely on the compost heap after the leaves have died off. It is surprisingly easy to grow the saffron arum yourself as a decorative summer bloomer or to use the rhizomes in the kitchen.

With the right care, the saffron root multiplies almost by itself

The turmeric tubers should be preferred in the house before moving outdoors, so that the frost-sensitive plants can really take off from May. The location should be as evenly warm as possible and have a comparatively high level of humidity. Locations with all day sun next to house walls should be avoided, as the plants can "burn" here in the hot drought. The substrate should be able to store moisture well, otherwise it has to be watered very regularly. A single rhizome of saffron root can grow to a weight of up to 1.5 to 3 kg by autumn. This must be dug up in good time before the first night frosts and overwintered in the house.

Different uses for self-grown turmeric tubers

You can use your self-grown and harvested turmeric tubers for different purposes:

for the propagation and cultivation of new plants in the following year
as a spice and coloring agent
as a fresh seasoning ingredient in Southeast Asian recipes

The use of the finely ground powder from dried turmeric tubers to color food yellow has a long tradition and is still very important today.

Tips

Saffron and turmeric have long been said to have various positive effects on human health. There is only disagreement in science with regard to the inhibitory or beneficial effects on cancer cells caused by the consumption of turmeric. As with all other foods, the consumption of turmeric should always be in balance with other foods.