The goal of this research was to evaluate the torch ginger growth in different planting spacing in subtropical climate. Spacing evaluated between plants and rows were: 2.0x2.0m; 2.5x2.0m and 3.0x2.0m. The following plant evaluations started sixteen months after planting: length and diameter of the inflorescence stem, basal diameter of the inflorescence (with opened bracts) and button diameter of the inflorescence, length of the inflorescence stem, number of vegetative stems per clump, area per clump, height of the higher vegetative stems and inflorescences production per clump. The different spacing influenced flower stem diameter and area per clump. Basal diameter of the inflorescence, button diameter of the inflorescence, and length of the inflorescence stem increased during the research period. Under the conditions of subtropical climate, it is possible to obtain inflorescences of torch ginger with suitable commercial characteristics. The highest production was obtained when using the spacing of 3.0x2.0m.
Zingiberaceae; tropical flowers; plant density; Etlingera elatior
