I can't imagine why yours wouldn't smell strongly of ginger. All parts of it do. I have one in a pot, and crushing, bruising, or just rubbing the leaves releases the scent. All parts of it are flavorful, as well -- leaves can also be used to impart flavor into recipes, but are too tough to eat, so must be removed like a bay leaf. The young, tender shoots can be used as "green" ginger in dishes if cut fine.

Perhaps you have the ornamental ginger. It is sold in the nursery as "Ginger" but is grown for the beautiful spike that is like a colored whirled whisk broom. It is named Alpinia formosana, whereas the real culinary ginger is named Zingiber officinale and is an un-pretty plant - all lanky with a look sorta like a bamboo. All parts of that smell strongly like ginger, whereas the ornamental ginger has no smell at all and is not edible.

Nancy

The ginger I planted was actually a nice looking piece I bought at the super market. I've also grown several ornamental gingers which are more popular the further south you go. I think I'll leave the harvesting for a few more weeks. We shouldn't have any really cool weather until about mid- to late October. Will update you then. Again, my thanks for your help.