Curcuma Banrai Red

Curcuma Banrai Red

Curcuma Banrai Red (Red Siam Tulip)

A tropical torch of ruby and gold that flowers all through the warm months.

Overview
Curcuma Banrai Red is a ginger-family bulb with tall, torch-like flower heads. Each bloom is made of ruby-red bracts with golden-yellow accents, and the red often deepens to a hint of purple toward the base. These “flowers” are long-lasting bracts, so the colour stays on the plant for weeks. They also make striking cut flowers.

It is a hybrid from a breeding programme in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and is also sold as Red Torch or Red Diamond. It is easy to greow and suits beginners as well as collectors who want something unusual.

Why you’ll love it

• Bold red and yellow blooms through the warm season
• Lush, broad green foliage that looks good even before flowering
• Grows well in garden beds, borders and large pots
• Good for balconies, patios and tropical-style gardens
• Comes back year after year when its rhizome is left in the soil

Quick facts

• Plant type: Rhizomatous perennial (ginger family)
• Bloom colour: Ruby red with golden-yellow bracts
• Bloom season: Summer into the rains
• Light: Full sun to bright light; light afternoon shade in very hot areas
• Water: Regular, about 1 inch (25 mm) of water per week during active growth
• Soil: Moist, well-drained and rich in organic matter
• Dormancy: Dies back in the cooler months and re-emerges in warm weather
• Supplied as: 1 rhizome/bulb [edit to match your listing]

Planting and care

1. Plant the rhizome about 5–8 cm deep with the growing tips facing up. Do this once the weather is warm, which is ideal at the start of the season or with the monsoon.
2. Water lightly until shoots appear, then increase watering as growth picks up. Avoid soggy soil, as waterlogging can rot the rhizome.
3. Feed every 3–4 weeks with a balanced fertiliser or well-rotted compost while the plant is growing.
4. Pots: Use a deep container of at least 10–12 inches with drainage holes.
5. Winter rest: When the leaves yellow and die back, let the soil dry out and keep it nearly dry. Don’t dig it up or worry, as it will sprout again when warmth returns. In regions with frost or cold winters, move pots to a sheltered spot or lift and store the rhizomes dry.

Good to know

• It may take a few weeks to emerge after planting, so be patient.
• Blooms last longest in bright light with a little midday shade.
• The rhizome multiplies over time. Divide clumps during dormancy to share or expand your planting.

Tagline options

• “Tropical fire for your garden.”
• “Red torches, all season long.”
• “Easy to grow, impossible to ignore.”