TOPIC: Education Materials

BCastle wrote:

I have often thought of (and even proposed here in Ohio) something similar as to what 5prong just said. As much as I detest large and invasive government, it is what it is. I still have guys bringing me small stuff and swearing they only harvest large three prong plants. Just to prove this point to myself, I planted some of them this year. They ALL came up as smallish twos.

So, I'm thinking an internet course complete with quiz should be required in order to obtain a free digger's license each year. This doesn't have to be tremendously costly, time consuming or extensive. It would allow every digger to learn about any new laws or regulations pertaining to ginseng.

I think the thing I would like to see controlling agencies emphasize more is just how little those small roots add to the value of your lot of ginseng. In fact, those small ones can reduce the overall value considerably. Those small roots are much more valueable left right where they are to produce seed until they are large enough to be included in a collection of high quality ginseng for market.

Like Rootman said, if you are surprised how small they are, plant them back.

Does the replanting of the small roots work for green and dry roots alike?

While I don't want small plants in my office, it would be nice to have a side by side picture comparison, on the same type of scale, with mature roots and small roots just to show visually what you are describing.

Yes, you are correct. That is something that I've not considered before in my picture taking. I have some pictures using a dollar bill as scale, but none of them show the contrast we went for this purpose. I would be happy to help you out with that, and will certainly be able to come up with something for you this fall, however. I think the better way to approach this would be to lay green roots side by side so they look the same way the digger will see them right out of the ground.

You know, I've heard that you can plant dry ginseng and it will grow. I've not tried that yet, but I'm sure I'll have the opportunity. I have transplanted a lot of ginseng I have bought green and it works out just fine as long as the root is not damaged or starting to become infected with disease.

BCastle wrote:

Yes, you are correct. That is something that I've not considered before in my picture taking. I have some pictures using a dollar bill as scale, but none of them show the contrast we went for this purpose. I would be happy to help you out with that, and will certainly be able to come up with something for you this fall, however. I think the better way to approach this would be to lay green roots side by side so they look the same way the digger will see them right out of the ground.

You know, I've heard that you can plant dry ginseng and it will grow. I've not tried that yet, but I'm sure I'll have the opportunity. I have transplanted a lot of ginseng I have bought green and it works out just fine as long as the root is not damaged or starting to become infected with disease.

I've heard the same thing about being able to plant dry ginseng. Although I've never tried this I'd have to say that I'm somewhat skepticle. I do have firsthand knowledge about planting green roots back and know for a fact that they will do very well for the most part. I would highly recommend that these should be planted back into the ground as soon as possible (which is right after they've been dug).

I don't think replanting a dry root would live. Once it's dried, it's done for in my opinion.

rootman

I have to agree fellas. It would be cool to be able to plant a dried root and see it survive. But I would have to see it to believe it. Who knows thou with this mysterious plant. It is full of surprises.

As far as transplanting I do know this. If you Transplant late in the year the plant has reabsorbed much of the sap and juices back down into the root from the leaves and the stalk. This is much like the sugar water in a maple tree that flows from top to bottom in the fall.

This is why I try to transplant as late as possible in the fall when the leaves have died back. Like a few have said too, I too like to water the root in after I have transplanted to keep them from drying out. It seats the soil in nicely around the transplanted root.

For anyone new to transplanting. If you happen to transplant when the leaves are still green, it is best to move the entire plant in tact. The plant top might die back due to the move but the juices will still move from the plant top down to the root.

1 pound of fresh root dug in early September will weigh less than the same 1 pound of fresh root if dug in early Oct.

Latt

KYJabber- A couple of Q's:

1] underneath your photo on your posts, it reads \"Official\".... Can you shed some light on this? what's that mean?

2] On the publication you are intending to create... while it's a good idea, there's the Person's book in existance already. $25.-- thru Amazon. Much of what you are discussing is in that fine publication... and by one of the \"gurus\" of the industry. this guy can be reached via phone as well, if you want some personal insight. I spoke with him in Feb, and he was very personable and had interesting comments.

IMHO- the individual that has the intent to grow our favorite herb successfully will do the research that many of us have done. I found it rewarding and stimulating to cast about for this info. In finding this forum's discourse with the fine folks here, I am also empowered to care approiately for the Sang I'm attempting to grow.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that those of us that attempting to do this as a viable income source will go the distance to learn what is needed. It's the intention that drives folks to suceed, and relative easily found info may mislead folks into thinking that there's a cookbook method that is largely successful.

We have a saying here at work in Critical Care: If it was easy, it wouldn't be fun!

Whitjr wrote:

KYJabber- A couple of Q's:

1] underneath your photo on your posts, it reads \"Official\".... Can you shed some light on this? what's that mean?

2] On the publication you are intending to create... while it's a good idea, there's the Person's book in existance already. $25.-- thru Amazon. Much of what you are discussing is in that fine publication... and by one of the \"gurus\" of the industry. this guy can be reached via phone as well, if you want some personal insight. I spoke with him in Feb, and he was very personable and had interesting comments.

IMHO- the individual that has the intent to grow our favorite herb successfully will do the research that many of us have done. I found it rewarding and stimulating to cast about for this info. In finding this forum's discourse with the fine folks here, I am also empowered to care approiately for the Sang I'm attempting to grow.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that those of us that attempting to do this as a viable income source will go the distance to learn what is needed. It's the intention that drives folks to suceed, and relative easily found info may mislead folks into thinking that there's a cookbook method that is largely successful.

We have a saying here at work in Critical Care: If it was easy, it wouldn't be fun!

1) My day job is the ginseng coordinator for KY. I hesitate to say regulator, because that really doesn't do the work I do justice. As many of the folks here that know, speak, and have met me in IRL, I do have a genuine love for the ginseng plant.

2) My job is to develop policies and procedures that first and foremost protects the wild plant and continue to a legal harvest for my state. While I don't currently have said book, it's on my personal wish list. I agree that those interested in the long term sustainable continuance of ginseng are going to seek good, verifiable resources and spend $ on wonderful publications.

Unfortunately, not everyone seeks out this information. I think we'd all agree there are bad apples in the barrel. If there weren't, we wouldn't be talking today about ginseng being on CITES II and states having to do all these interventions and paperwork to have a legal market for this product.

My focus isn't on just growers, but the ginseng industry as a whole. For this project, my primary focus is on harvesters and providing a basic cliff-notes overview on ginseng as a whole.

This week, I've fielded 5 calls on what's the legal harvest for ginseng (and other roots) for KY. It'll continue to go up from here on out until the harvest season is over. I need a way to get this information in the hands of those that need, from the horses mouth.

Five years ago, I didn't get that many calls or requests, so at least folks are trying to do the right thing.

Wow! the \"ginseng coordinator for KY\"... I guess that means you are a state employee. Me too, however in healthcare here in NC. I digress, it's nice to see that KY is earnest in managing our favorite herb. I wish that NC had someone working in your capacity, as I would seek him/her out to begin a business relationship.

In your job, you will have some influence on your state's direction toward's 'sang. It's an enviable position, and pretty nice to think that someone is promoting correct approaches in state government.

Perhaps your budget will allow for the purchase of Dr Person's fine book? Again, I found him easy to talk to, and full of insight. He developed his book, when there was very little [translate: none] scientific info about'sang.

I look forward to your posts in the future.

rootman wrote:

I don't think replanting a dry root would live. Once it's dried, it's done for in my opinion.

rootman

I wonder if it would have anything to do with how it's dried. I think about bulb roots I buy for my flower garden (mostly peonies). They are dried, but in a \"soil\" mixture. It comes back.

If anyone can find referenced literature on this, it would help greatly.

About those little roots: Last year, when we updated the statutes and regulations for KY, I worked with APHA to have the KY brochure updated. Literally, I called them very shortly after getting the official \"it's done!\" paperwork. Notice the stewardship box update:

GOOD STEWARDSHIP CHECKLIST
When harvesting American ginseng, make
sure you follow all of these good stewardship
practices:
? * Get permission to harvest.
? * Harvest only mature (3- and 4-prong) plants
that are at least 5 years old.
? * Dig only plants with red fruit.
? * Plant seeds under ? to 1 inch of soil.
? * Leave some mature plants for the future.
? * If young plants come up when digging for a
larger root, plant them back into the same
spot.

That last point, you all (this forum, the dealers in my office, the harvesters I talk to) mentioned this to me, explained to me how you all teach stewardship to your folks. It seems so simple, so full of common-sense, and yet, it created a light bulb moment when I'd tell folks this on the phone. Of course, I mentioned it to them, and they added it.

Yes, you'd think we shouldn't have to say it, but we do.

Thanks again, and keep the comments coming! You are giving lots of ideas.

www.ahpa.org/portals/0/pdfs/Kentucky.pdf

Whitjr wrote:

Wow! the \"ginseng coordinator for KY\"... I guess that means you are a state employee. Me too, however in healthcare here in NC. I digress, it's nice to see that KY is earnest in managing our favorite herb. I wish that NC had someone working in your capacity, as I would seek him/her out to begin a business relationship.

In you job, you will have some influence on your state's direction toward's 'sang. It's an enviable position, and pretty nice to think that someone is promoting correct approaches in state government.

Perhaps your budget will allow for the purchase of Dr Person's fine book? Again, I found him easy to talk to, and full of insight. He developed his book, when there wwas very little [translate: none] other scientific infor about'sang.

I look forward to your posts in the future.

Thanks for the compliments! You're making me blush.

I could use some of my funding to purchase the books, but then if I left my job, I couldn't take them with. I'd have a hard time leaving them behind. So, on my \"round to it\" it stays for now.

I hope to meet and speak with him some day.

ETA:

Each state has a contact for their ginseng program. I don't know for sure who in NC (the lady I talked with a lot isn't there anymore), but contact Anthony Hayes (would be on the NC dealer list, www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry/plant/plantc...seng_Dealer_List.pdf ). He'll know who to point you to.