TOPIC: Four prong 6/7 leave ginseng

Guys: I had this 5 year root transplanted from the field to my pilot garden last fall and it gives me only four prongs, but with 6 or 7 leave prongs. Look carefully at the leaves. Do you see this in the wild?

DrGinseng,
I have seen it in the wild on rare occasions. Really interesting.
Latt

I, too, have seen this in the wild. I always figured it was and indication of a good growing site! Beautiful plant!

I've found a few like that over the years, but they've all been a good bit older than 5 years. I doubt that you'll ever find a 5 year old wild plant with a top that big, but hey I could be wrong.

I agree with kchacha. Definately a sign of good growing conditions as well good genetics and if in the wild probably an indication of old age.

You are right, those are not uniform leave. However that plant is very nice looking!

Now that I know what to look for in the past couple of years, I identify wild grown plants when I see them.. Two weeks ago, I was hiking in the Linville gorge of NC. I saw several really nice looking plants, however not as nice as the photo you posted.

I see plants every seeason in the wild with 6 to 7 leaves my favorite plant that I have ever saw had 6 prongs with 6 or 7 leaves on each fork.

It is very rare to find one with more than 5 leaves on a set around here, but it does happen occasionally.

If I had to guess I would think that higher than usual (for ginseng) levels of N (Nitrogen) in the soil might be the cause.

N ? nitrogen: promotes the growth of leaves and vegetation
P ? phosphorus: promotes root and shoot growth
K ? potassium: promotes flowering, fruiting and general hardiness

The leaves on the plant formed last year in the growth bud (before you transplanted it) while it was in the field grown artificial shade location. Perhaps it got a slight overdose of N there.

Now that you have it in a new location, it will be interesting to see if it continues to have extra leaflets going forwoard.

If it does and your soil there is not high in N, then perhaps it is a genetic thing rather than Nitrogen induced.

Let us know how it does next spring.

It is for sure a bueatiful seng plant. Congradulations !

TNhunter

The roots was very big under 5 years of field cultivated, not wild. That's why the leaves are big and healthy.

Hunter: Thanks for the science! The new plot has rich top soil but may have fungi. Hope it stays healthy for the next season as well.

DrGinSeng,
That is a nice looking plant and may Mother Nature be with you on your pilot gardens.
Ginseng is so unpredictable as I'm sure you know more than most of us about that.
But anyway Good Luck.