TOPIC: Indicator Plants: Some Questions

Hello!

One of the reasons why I think Ginseng will grow great on our land is the bounty of Jack in the Pulpit we have here. I couldn't keep track of how many of these I see throughout the day. They are literally, everywhere. I have also found some bloodroot, which I have heard is an even better indicator of a good environment for Ginseng.

Even though I have lived aside Jack's my entire life, a small patch of them have caught my eye recently. This patch has come up for as long as I can remember, and I am almost 26.. So I can only imagine their age. This year the these particular Jacks have grown extremely tall.



And a closer look, the tire is an ATV tire (24x10x11) for an 11 inch rim.



Has anyone ever seen Jacks this big? We have never fertilized or taken any care of these, in fact, I usually hit them with the whip (weed wacker) by accident once or twice a year.

My most important question is: how well of an indicator plant is jack in the pulpit? They grow in some pretty moist areas, and I am wondering if I can push the ginseng into these areas as well. The soil is still \"well drained\" but never really \"dries out\". It is very dark in color and looks like it is mostly made up of worm casings. I have yet to take soil samples from these areas, but it is pretty much the land right above a typical northeastern marsh. Some pictures of the area to come.

Those certainly are some large Jack-in-the-Pulpits. Yes I have seen them this big. I have transplanted some into my woodland plant bed in my shade garden that are 40'' tall. The root bulb on one that big is as big as a large jumbo egg and slightly smaller than a tennis ball. I do see a blood root at the bottom of the second pic too. As far as the soil, it's hard to say without seeing it. From what you have stated it is very dark and loamy and stays somewhat moist but not wet. Sounds like a potentially great spot worth trying to me. Moist is fine but wet is no good which I can tell you already know about. You may want to get a soil sample to test for all of the things that have been posted about on here numerous times. PH, Calcium PPA etc.
Good luck.
Latt

Sengsational

I would say that areas with Jack in the Pulpit are excellent. Some of my best beds have Jack growing in them and alot more close by.

Here's one with a seedling off to the side.

Another Jack that's right beside my best four year old beds. One thing is, our jacks only get about 15-20\" tall.

Here's a couple plants I found that my seng grows well with.

Solomon's Seal

Lilly of the Valley

don't see a lot of them up here but when ya do it's good for ginseng. I find maiden hair fern the best indicator plant. Where are you?

GUY

I agree with Guy on that maidenhair fern being the best indicator plant. Around here when you find maidenhair fern you better start looking close for seng. Even if it is growing up on a steep hill you best get up there and look around some.

Last September I spotted this bunch of maidenhair fern quite a ways up a steep hillside and made that climb up there.



If you will look just up the hill and a bit left of the maidenhair fern you can see two big old seng plants. One is turning a bit yellow and both had big wads of red berries.

It was sure worth the climb.

PS - I am not sure about jack-n-pulpit but I know that Blood Root will grow in flood plains where Ginseng will not do well or would possibly suffer from root rot. You often do find blood root growing in good seng locations, but it also grows lower and thrives in areas that may flood occasionally - which may not be good seng growing spots.

TNhunter

TN,
Those sure are two beauties!
Latt