During the pandemic, Hawaii’s flower growers struggled to keep from permanently shutting down. A year later, Covid-19 cases have declined and restrictions have loosened. But聽flower growers face another threat.

Plant viruses are leading to a decline in red ginger production. Some flower growers have stopped growing it in the last five years because of the high mortality rate.听

This worries Shane Castillo, who specializes in red ginger and other tropical plants on Hawaii island. The owner of has been growing and selling red ginger for three years on more than 10 acres.

Shane Castillo, owner of C&C Tropicals, is known for selling red ginger on Hawaii island.
Shane Castillo, owner of C&C Tropicals, is known for selling red ginger on Hawaii island. Courtesy: C&C Tropicals

Hawaii island has the largest number of red ginger farms. In 2009, there were many backyard ginger growers, according to Castillo. After the pandemic, there are fewer than 20 growers 鈥 backyard and commercial 鈥 left on the island. Oahu was severely affected, too, with .听

Castillo is happy to be one of the few left to be able to offer red ginger. 鈥淒uring the pandemic, my feelings and passion have gone through the roof,鈥 he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of people that passed away, and now we have people who bring flowers for the deceased and the living. It brings me joy to just see the smile on their faces, the happiness and texts that say 鈥榯hank you.鈥 We hear from customers that this particular red is their grandmother鈥檚 favorite color, and they will send her off into the next world.鈥

The plant is significant to florists and flower growers because of its cultural importance. Red ginger is commonly used in cultural practices and funeral services. The plant, which originated in Malaysia, has been called the “poster child” of tropical flowers. Its lush, vibrant features add a tropical flare to gardens and other landscapes.听

found the root cause of the decline in red ginger is in several viruses and fungal pathogens.听

According to Russell Galanti, who co-authored the report, a combination of six viruses was detected in red ginger. Two new viruses have yet to be named.听

Russell Galenti, extension agent at the University of Hawaii, authored the study of the red ginger virus.
Russell Galanti, extension agent at the University of Hawaii, co-authored the study of the red ginger virus. Cassie Ordonio/Civil Beat/2021

鈥淚t鈥檚 not just new to ginger, it鈥檚 new to science completely,鈥 said Galanti, extension agent at the University of Hawaii’s Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences.听

The four known viruses are Canna Yellow Mottle Virus, Banana Bract Mosaic Virus, Bean Common Mosaic Virus and Banana Streak Virus. The most common in red ginger is the Canna Yellow Mottle Virus.

The viruses are spread by pests such as mealybugs and aphids, which are found in warmer climates and feed off the plant’s sap.

The study began in 2019 after Kaneohe farmers noticed their red ginger crops were plummeting.

Galanti and a group of researchers found that most of the spread of the ginger virus was on Oahu and Hawaii island.听

One of the common symptoms of the red ginger virus are yellow striping of the leaf.
One of the common symptoms of the red ginger virus is yellow striping of the leaf. Courtesy: Russel Galenti

For flower buyers, it can be difficult to tell if a plant is infected because some show hardly any signs. Galanti said the primary symptom is discolored leaves, including yellow stripes.

The study lists 17 other signs of infection, including stunted plants and deformed leaves.听

Some flower growers have stopped growing red ginger because of the low survival rates. There鈥檚 currently no cure, Galanti said.听

鈥淥nce a plant has a virus, it鈥檚 not like humans, they don鈥檛 have any antibiotics,鈥 Galanti said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 have solutions for them. So when a plant is infected, you either live with the virus in the plant or you get virus-free plants.鈥

However, Galanti said that he and other researchers are seeking grants to research how to grow virus-free plants.听

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