Lemongrass - how to grow
If you are a keen cook of Thai food, you may want to grow your own lemongrass. It's easy. All you need is to do to look for a stalk with just the vestige of a root. You're more likely to find one at an Oriental market than in the cellophan packages at regular supermarkets.
Cut the stalk to three inches, stick it in a jar of water, changing the water daily until roots sprout - about 10 days. Then plant it in a pot large enough for the roots to spread. Side plants form from the center as they grow.
While it multiplies outside during the summer months, it should be brought in for protection during the winter. To keep it going, cut downwards into the soil to remove any stalks for cooking so that you don't damage the rest of the plant.
Several on-line plant nurseries will sell you a kafir lime leaf plant, which in this area will need to come inside in winter. They aren't cheap. You can buy fresh kafir lime leaves at local Thai markets.
For the seeds of other Asian and Oriental plants and vegetables, send for a catalogue from Evergreen Y.H. Enterprises, PO Box 17538, Anaheim, CA 92817.