Help Finding Live Ginseng?

[It'sJustMe]

We live in the woods, a great place to grow ginseng and goldenseal plants. I've tried seeds before, but they never sprouted, so I am relucatant to try them again, even when they say they are stratified. I would like to find some live roots somewhere. Do any of you know anyone who grows it and sells live roots? Thanks for any help, as I think this is the right time of year to transplant it. It's Just Me

 

[rhughe13]

I bought a few stratified ginseng seeds from "seedrack" on e-bay. I planted them last fall about about half sprouted. So I would recommend this seller. Maybe the others will come up next spring.

Here is a link to a web site that I have not tried, but plan on doing so this fall.
http://www.hardingsginsengfarm.com/ginsengseeds.htm

Now is the time to search for wild ginseng. But like everything else in our free country, it's illegal to do so.

Be safe!

 

[It'sJustMe]

Thanks rhughe13. Is it really illegal to dig wild roots? Funny, your source of good seeds, was the guy I bought seeds from this past Spring. They rotted, most of them, sadly. Maybe I didn't handle them correctly? What kind of soil did you plant your seeds in? I found some rootlets and some seeds from a different Ebay seller. They have a nice website, and explain lots about how to grow ginseng. But they don't go into the proper soil for growing these babies in. Since you have had some experience with some sprouting for you, what kind of soil are you using? Here's a link to the place I finally found and ordered from. You can download a free growing manual there:

http://www.castleen.com/ecf/ecf.html

Smiles,
IJM

 

[ioujc]

It is NOT illegal

to dig wild ginseng here in Missouri...as long as you abide by the rules. Digging season here is from September to December. The reason ginseng is illegal to dig in many states is due to the fact that it has become an endangered species. Most people who dig, dig early in the spring to get the best prices on the market, and do NOT bother to re-seed the plant....they can't because that early in the season, the plant has not produced a seed pod! Ginseng has value as an elixer, and in home remedies. Most people do not know how to use it, and dig it purely for profit.....in other words, GREED! THAT is why this plant has become so rare.
Why would you want to try to cultivate it, unless it is for personal use? Ginseng dealers can tell which roots are wild and which are cultivated. They only buy wild roots. There are RARE instances of someone passing cultivated ginseng as wild, but few and far between.....

 

[hughmanity]

Ginseng in INdiana

Here in Indiana Gensing harvesting is legal but regulated. According to the Department of Natural Resources the season here is Sept 1 to Dec 31 for Harvesting and selling.

Following are the Indiana rules, I suspect your state may have similar rules. Check with your State Department of Natural Resources

1: It is ILLEGAL to harvest wild ginseng out of season. A Class A misdemeanor.

2: To harvest LEGALLY, a ginseng plant must have: at least 3 prongs and a flowering or fruiting stalk, or at least 4 internodes on the rhizome. To harvest plants not meeting these criteria is a Class B infraction.

3: It is REQUIRED that mature fruits and any seeds on the harvested ginseng be planted in the vicinity where the plant was dug and in a manner that encourages germination.

4: It is REQUIRED that the entire stalk and leaves be retained with the plant until it is taken to the harvester’s residence or place of business, unless the root has at least 4 internodes on the rhizome.

5: It is ILLEGAL to sell or remove mature fruits and seeds from the vicinity where the ginseng was taken.

6: It is ILLEGAL to buy, sell, or possess any ginseng out of season without written authorization from the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Law Enforcement. A Class B misdemeanor.

7: It is ILLEGAL to buy uncertified ginseng for resale without an Indiana Ginseng Dealer’s License. A Class B misdemeanor.

8: ONLY certified ginseng can be sold to a buyer in another state. To export uncertified ginseng is a Class A misdemeanor.

9: HARVEST ginseng only where it is permitted—digging on State property is not allowed; digging on private property without permission is theft; digging on other properties may require a permit.

10: Anyone violating these rules will be prosecuted.

 

[rhughe13]

Ginseng seems to be such a touchy subject. I would do a google search on "ginseng illegal" There's plenty of articles on the legalities. Each state varies, but selling any ginseng requires a license. This dates back from a couple of decades ago, when mass harvesting caused a big decline in wild ginseng. Not the cultivated kind. I would definately be careful harvesting anywhere except private property with the owners ok.

I bought a small package of seeds from seedrack. Probably about 20 seeds. I started an indoor pot with four seeds, using regular potting soil. Nothing ever came up. About two weeks later I made it over to my farm and trotted down in the woods to find a nice shady spot to plant the rest of them. The soil is very dark, rich, moist and stinks. I removed the top layer of heavy debris and raked out a good inch of the dark soil. I then took the soil pile and put about a half inch back down by crumbling into my hands. I planted the remaining seeds in a square matrix and covered the remaining 1/2 inch of top soil over the seeds and patted everyting down lightly. I didn't replace the debris, and left everything. I took a small can of white paint to spray the tree next to my planting location. As of now, I have 9 plants, each with 3 leaves and was excited to see them when they came up.

Thanks for the link to the other site. One can never have enough information. I got most of my ginseng reading from Foxfire. I think it's volume 2.

 

[Camasjune]

Johnny's Selected Seeds, under fall perishables:


http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/... perishable&ct=hg&pagename=resultdetails.html

 

[It'sJustMe]

That explains it all, ioujc when you say the reason for this being a touchy plant, is greed! I would guess so! There would be those unscrupulous people out there, who know nothing about regeneration or replanting, or anything but raping the land of natural resources. Like with anything else that generates profit, they take the cream, and leave what's left for the rest.

I used to live in Indiana, was a bow hunter there. I used to see ginseng and May apples and other very neat woods plants in my travels. Now that I'm back home in Washington State, and own some woodsy acreage, I would love to try to bring a little of the Midwest woods here, if possible. DH's family still lives there, and so we have "roots" of a different kind in Indiana. And in the process, be able to use the medicinal properties of said plants.

Thanks for the tips on the woods planting. I'll just try that myself, and put half in the woods, and half in a prepared bed, and see what works, and what doesn't. Thanks for help in understanding why it's so hard to get a few good roots to start with. God put plants here for us to use, not destroy for money, and never replace.

It's Just Me

 

[manybooks]

It'sJustMe-

Here's a good page on growing ginseng in the PNW. I've been researching it myself. Good luck.

manybooks



http://clark.wsu.edu/horticulture/Ginseng/Cover/cover.html

 

[It'sJustMe]

That is a wonderful resource for the growing of ginseng up here, manybooks. Thanks for posting that link. It does help explain what ginseng likes, and what it doesn't like, about living here in the PNW. I'm going to try growing it first in a small bed close to the house. Then if I can be successful doing it there, maybe try to plant some out in the forest itself. I had one plant I planted out there that grew, a few years ago, but it died on me, and it never made any seeds. I love gardening, and a challenge. And growing this medicinal is a challenge, for sure! It's Just Me