TOPIC: Ginseng growth

I was wondering about how much ginseng you would have if you planted say one pound of seeds after about six to eight years of growth, then harvested it.

There are way too many variables to give an accurate answer to this question. But for sake of arguement: I believe that 1 pound of seed = about 8000 seeds. If 50% make it to harvest you would have 4000 plants to dig. It will probably take 250 roots to make a dry pound (I am assuming wild simulated method of growth). Based on those very optamistic figures and assumptions you would end up with 16 pounds of dry root. At the other end of the spectrum you would have zero. Just spend a little time and get to know all you can before spending lots of money. Ginseng is not an easy plant to grow. I'm not trying to talk you out of it as it can be done, but just giving some friendly advice.

Thanks for the advice. I also agree with you I dont need to plant too much seed. I just wanted a general idea of how much sang a pound of seed would produce. If you have any suggestions on how much seed I should plant this fall I would appreciate it. I am new to growing wild simulated ginseng but I am very familar with ginseng in general.

I'd start out with a pound or less. Try several different planting methods in different locations. Even if on the same property higher or lower on the slope, or slightly more east or west facing area's. keep track of how you planted each area. This may give you a better Idea of how you need to procede with future plantings come next fall. Mark your planted beds this fall so that you can find them in the spring. also write things down. It is sometimes easy to forget things especially a year later.

wildgrower wrote:

I was wondering about how much ginseng you would have if you planted say one pound of seeds after about six to eight years of growth, then harvested it.

I agree with 5prong. You just don't know about how well ginseng is going to do,soil types and etc.
I don't think 6 to 8 years will produce very big roots in a wild simulated type growth. From my experience it takes 10 to 15 years for a decent root and 15 to 20 years for nice roots. I've seen big roots grown too quickly and will not sell, looking to much like cultivated.

On success rate till harvest,I'd say 10 percent \"maybe\" 2 or 3 lbs. if you're real lucky.

rootman

In Scotts book it shows that for each pound of seed that you plant (in good locations) you should harvest around 7 lbs of dry root.

He says to plant 4-5 seeds per sq ft and expect to have 1-2 mature plants per sq ft at harvest time (7-10 years later).

Both Scotts method and the Hankins method produced similar ratio of 1 pound of seed yielding around 7 lbs of dry root.

TNhunter

Thanks everyone for the help. I will try to get some seed out this fall.