This probably isn't the exact answer you are looking for, but here is a neat tip that I found out by accident. I used to keep big pots of herbs (like the half barrels) out back. Sandy potting soil. One day my sous chef stuck some lemon grass pieces in the soil, root end.
We were all surprized when it started sprouting. Especially because the root end of the lemongrass wasn't really the full root - it had been chopped a bit also. It was incredibly easy to grow, and was SO AWESOME fresh. I would never have realized it if he hadn't been out back fooling around with the dishwashers, putting stuff like little bunnies and alligators, along with lemon grass, in the herbs.
So, if you have any herb pots around, try sticking it in and see what happens. The climate was texas in the fall, so maybe it needs to be sunny and hot.
Laurie