TOPIC: nc soil test

Travisnc,
I have been growing sang for over 30 years now. But the last 4 years I stepped it up. I have already been through the beginners error stage and learned the hard way on what not to do a long time ago. But I do learn something new every year still.

For anyone interested:
I have ginseng growing in many different locations throughout Ohio but nothing massive. I have planted these different locations in the last couple years. I have planted 1 to 5 pounds here and there more or less in different spots. These spots are planted on friends and relatives property and have arrangements to share the profits with some of them in the future.

I do have my original site at my property back in Eastern Ohio thou. This site has some scattered wild plants and plants I grew from seed over 15 years ago along with 15 lbs of seed I planted 2 years ago. Its all doing very well.

I wish I had 20 acres to plant in thou. What is interesting in planting in many different counties throughout Ohio is the diversity of woodland conditions. I am getting to see how growing seed in different soil and woodland conditions can affect the germination, plant growth etc.

However, I would trade all those spots in a second to have 20 great woodland acres to plant seng on.

I am in the process of trying to find a 5 to 20 acre spot that is as close to perfect as possible for growing seng. I have my eye on a few now. I will be looking to buy this land to potentially build a small cabin on and eventually look at downsizing and moving into it. So I would have my cabin for me and the little lady with ginseng growing all around it someday. I will start planting immediately thou if I buy a spot.

I was talking to my wife last night and I had told her that I can start to make an income off rootlet sales after 2 years. So if I do this I would plant as much as possible knowing that I would be digging some after two years and then the 3rd year and so on while always replanting new seed every year. Obviously I would leave a large portion to grow to be mature 10 year old plants.

If one ever wants to make a living at it sooner than later this is the way to do it. There is money to be made in the near future and we do not have to wait until 10 years down the road. My plan is to have a sustainable ginseng farm that produces an income every year.

I have seen where 1-year rootlets go for over a dollar, 3 year rootlets are about $1.75 a piece, 4 year rootlets can go for close to $3 bucks and 5 year rootlets can go for around $4.5 per root.
This does not always apply on the pricing above thou. Sometimes it is more and sometimes it is less depending on the market, source and type of growing method.

I do not foresee quitting my full time job (which I like) to do this, but I wouldn't mind ginseng farming full time either. Time will tell.
Latt

I have a good friend growing in Ohio. It is pretty up there. I wish I had that much experience under my belt. Where do you get your seeds? How would you get a market for rootlets? It is going to be hard to start selling mine. I have grown partial to mine.

I have bought seed from just about everyone including about 3 Wisconsin field cultivated seed suppliers. 95% of the seeds I have bought have been from so called \"Wild Simulated\" seed suppliers but I am sure some of its probably \"Woods Grown\" seed. I have only been duped one time and it was this year on 10 lbs of seed I bought in Feb.

I hate to plant in late Feb and early March anyway. So I consider part of it my fault for trying to squeeze in another 10lbs of seed. Seed bought that late in the planting season is bottom of the barrel most of the time and I knew it was risky. I still hate getting screwed thou. The seeds float tested great but so far their germination has been terrible.

I wish I could warn others about this seed supplier, but I am never going to criticize a seed supplier openly on the internet. All I will say is I live in Ohio and it was not a seed supplier east, west or south of me.

I know what you mean about growing partial to your plants. It is going to be a sad day when I dig them even thou I planted them to dig and sell.

If I start selling rootlets someday I will get my license and start a website. My wife is an artist and website builder. So it shouldn't be too hard. Just think if I do not sell any rootlets that just means they are going to continue to grow and get bigger so I can't lose either way. lol
Latt

Very true. Which seeds do you like better? This sould be my last year buying seeds.

I am reluctant to recommend a seed supplier. There are many good ones out there. I would buy from the ones that have been around for a while. I always contact the supplier to chat with them. Most of them are really friendly and take time with you on the phone or chat with you via email about ginseng. A couple seed suppliers and I email each other now and then but I have never talked to them on the phone. It is interesting to feel like you know someone without ever actually meeting them or talking to them on the phone.

It sounds like you have bought way more seed than I have. Do you buy from multiple seed suppliers of stick to just a few?
Thanks,
Latt

I meant to say this too. If you were asking me which seeds I like better meaning Wild Simulated verses Shade Grown field Cultivated seed, I would say this. There has been many discussions on this site about this topic. I think my thoughts have changed over the last year or so for sure. Check the thread out by using the \"Search Forum\" option.
Thanks,
Latt

Started out with Hardings but now I am buying off of Ozark Mtn. Never bought off of anyone else. Do you know a cheaper source with good quality?

I have bought off both of these and have always had great germination. I have bought from many many others too. To answer your question I buy from some from Mike at Hardwood Ginseng Company and I like his Price and his Quality. Last year I know I got over 80 % maybe even 90% germination. Seems like every seed I planted came up. I will have the thin that spot out a bit and transplant some this fall.
You have a lot of seed planted. Are you close to getting seed from your older plants yet?
Latt

I will get seeds this year. Not as much as i want to plant. Plus they will not be ready till next year.