TOPIC: Trillium in potential planting plot

Hey guys,

This is my first post so ill fill you in with my back ground in ginseng. I live in the upper most part of new york state. This is my second year of planting ginseng. Both sites ive planted last year had zero companion plants and zero undergrowth but i had excellent germination rates on both sites.

ok on to my question. The potential site i selected this year is in a mixture of mature hardwoods and the soil is very loomy, moist, and with high organic matter. The site i invested in seems great but there is a trillium patch about every squar yard. i searched my whole lot and found lots of trillium and ferns, but no ginseng, goldenseal or cohosh. Do you think this site would be a good place to plant ginseng?

Another thing, what sould i do with the Trillum?

I would plant the ginseng seed right along in the trillium patch. Trillium should be down by planting time this October.
Latt

GRS,

I agree with Latt.

I would not do anything to the trillium, but would just plant seng an in and around it or just plant the seng in beds and let the trillium grow right in amoungst your seng.

It is good to have other plants growing in with your seng - the diversity helps with possible disease issues.

That place with all of the trillium present sure sounds like a good potential site the way you described it.

While trillium is on the list of companion plants for seng, there is a select group of companion plants that are best to look for to determine if the site is even more ideal.

They are called cal-cicoles (normally growing in calcareous soils - rich in calcium).

From Scott's book that shorter list includes.

Maidenhair fern
Yellow ladys slipper
Baneberry,
Blue cohosh

Based on studies it has been shown that ginseng does best in soil that is high in calcium (2000 pounds per acre or more) with levels in the 3000-5000 range being even better.

Also needs a PH around 5.5.

You mentioned also finding fern in the area...

Below is a pic of some Maidenhair fern.

I noticed it growing up on a bluff hill and worked my way up there and then found that just above it, were two nice old seng plants (can see them in the pic).

Best of Luck to you on growing upper NY Seng.

TNhunter

trillium colonize some of the same soil fungi and microbes that are associated with ginseng. They also share some of the same fungal infections.
Minimize the soil disturbance when you plant and you will have a good plot. You don't want to mangle up the trillium or any other plant,this can increase the amount of fungal infection in the area.

try measuring the soil tempature of your plots and see if there is any relationship to good growth.

guy

Guy,
I have read your post above and noticed you wrote something I have read here and there recently on Soil Fungi and Fungal Infection and noticed where I think you have mentioned the following a few times as such:

\"Minimize the soil disturbance when you plant and you will have a good plot.\"

So my question is this. Does working the soil up a 1/4, 1/2 to 1 inch deep increase the chances of fungal disease? I like to get the seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inches under the surface and have noticed better germination rates than just sowing on the surface and recovering with leaves.

However, I had no idea this may increase fungal disease by disturbing the soil. Any additional insight would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Lstt

Latt,

I don't know the answer to that question for sure, but I expect you are right in what you are thinking... and that Guy will probably agree..

That raking back the leaves and workign up the soil (even 1/4 to 1/2\" deep) in broad areas like a 5x50' bed could sure spur on fungal issues.

We would probably be better off just poking each seed in it's own individual hole and disturbing the leaves as little as possible.

Problem is that does not work so well for getting a lot of seed planted (rather slow process).

If you do have areas where you suspect fungal issues, or see evidence of that on companion plants, you might just be better off poking a hole and planting a seed, and not moving those leaves around and scratching up large areas.

TNhunter

Good thread and im enjoying reading the thoughts on this subject very informative

Billy.

no Latt sorry,I was refering to the trilliums and the question about what to do with them...
Minimize the soil disturbance when you plant and you will have a good plot. You don't want to mangle up the trillium or any other plant,this can increase the amount of fungal infection in the area.

guy

tillum is pretty. do it.