TOPIC: nice day scouting dug omg!!!

Thxs Frank
I dont have a garage but a huge barn.my concerns are the temps during the day its between 60 n 70 n at nite its 40 to 50. The old milk parlor is insulated n thought a small eletric heater at nite only sould keep if about 60 ta 70 . I kniw I dont want to much heat but didnt know if the temp change would effect my roots if I dont use a heater. Pick up some screen today to make larger holders.lol

Very nice indeed. Well done Hobler.

Screen racks work, so will a piece of plywood if there is enough air flowing over the ginseng. I would avoid sunlight all together.

Ideally, keep the washed and surface dry ginseng in an open paper bag or box in a fridge for a couple weeks before starting the formal drying process. This allows the roots to condition and changes the starches to sugars, and normally results in more corky roots -which are more desirable. Then, place them on the racks, keep good airflow to move the evaporating moisture away from the surface of the roots. Ideally, the temperatures should be between 85 and 100 degrees, or gradually increased between those extremes. However, many folks dry their ginseng at room temperature, maybe in a higher spot like on top of a refrigerator or such.

Bcastle
Txs for the info . But between my partner n I we dug over 25 lbs of green shang. U as a dealer know how much that is even if I cleaned out my fridge it wouldnt even begin to to fit lol. But ur info will help alor thxs

Hobler666shang wrote:

Thxs Frank
I dont have a garage but a huge barn.my concerns are the temps during the day its between 60 n 70 n at nite its 40 to 50. The old milk parlor is insulated n thought a small eletric heater at nite only sould keep if about 60 ta 70 . I kniw I dont want to much heat but didnt know if the temp change would effect my roots if I dont use a heater. Pick up some screen today to make larger holders.lol

Hshang,

The milk parlor sounds great with a heater and maybe even add a fan for good air flow.

Temp change doesn't hurt it. The main thing is start the drying process.

rootman

Thxs rootman

Hobbler...

Now that is a problem we would all like to have - TOO MUCH GINSENG !

Is that really possible

I have never dried outside in a barn or out building, but that may work Ok. If that is the only place you have the space necessary you may have to give that a try.

I never use heat or sunlight or forced air on mine either but now I am not in any hurry for it to dry. If I was in a hurry (needed to sell it) I would use forced air and heat. You can get those little forced air heaters at Walmart or Lowes and some have thermostats, so you can set them on like 80 degrees.

With the amount of ginseng you have you may need 3 or 4 of those to give the airflow and heat you want.

In my case I do use some old window screens, and I do think that is really good for it - increases airflow around the roots. But mine is just dried inside at room temp 72-74 with low humidity, I don't turn it or mess with it at all, just leave it alone for 5 or 6 weeks and when I take it off - it is nice and dry and has good shape and color. Then I will store it in paper bags until I sell it or eat it.

The thing I would be concerned about in a shed or barn, would be humidity - especially say for exmaple if you have it out there drying and it comes a 3 or 4 day rain outside. The humidity inside the barn or shed could jump up significantly.

I guess you could use a combination of de-humidifier, and forced air heaters, to help if that was the case.

Perhaps it will stay dry and you will not have any problems. I hope so - hope it all drys perfectly.

Best of Luck !

TNhunter

rootman wrote:

Hobler666shang wrote:

Thxs Frank
I dont have a garage but a huge barn.my concerns are the temps during the day its between 60 n 70 n at nite its 40 to 50. The old milk parlor is insulated n thought a small eletric heater at nite only sould keep if about 60 ta 70 . I kniw I dont want to much heat but didnt know if the temp change would effect my roots if I dont use a heater. Pick up some screen today to make larger holders.lol

Hshang,

The milk parlor sounds great with a heater and maybe even add a fan for good air flow.

Temp change doesn't hurt it. The main thing is start the drying process.

rootman

Now that I know what a Milk Parlor is, I agree that it is the way to go, if it is small enough to heat with one or more heaters! I also believe that a fan or two would help the drying process by providing air flow and that the fans will help circulate the air and maintain a more uniform heat in the Milk Parlor. Believe it or not, I am 60 years old and have never personally seen a Milk Parlor but I just viewed some on the worldwide web! Everyone that I knew back in the old days, did the milking old school and only one farmer that I knew graduated to milking machines in the late 60's.

Good luck and try to leave some Ginseng in the hills and hollows for your old age!


Frank

Frank
There will b pkenty for future generations. I dig with the thought that I want my grandkids to b able to come back n do this. we've planted all seeds back n there's lots of babies there. Hopefully there will still b a season.

I too would like congratulate you on the huge dig but would also like to say seeds take along time to become mature plants. There's no guarantee that the seeds will ever make it. Be careful on how much you take. It's usually a better bet to take smaller amounts over alonger period of time.

I hear ur concerns n do admit I let the shang factor get ahold of me. But the number we dug to what was left in small threes ,two prongs n ones is far less. I do know that it will b 5 ta ten yrs before its ready to dig again.but the shear number of plants there was unbelievable. Ive never seen so many plants in my life when I said berry pods every where I mean every where.