TOPIC: Virgin grower growing

BigRoots,

The area in the first pic, looks to be a great location for Ginseng as it is already a great location for many of it's companion plants, some of which are great sellable root herbs! The other root herbs might be other plants you might want to look into expanding. This spot could use a few larger trees in it for shade but hopefully the herb and weed concentrations will provide enough shade for good Ginseng health!

The plants that you say are unhealthy, are more than likely victims of slugs, snails and rodents and not really victims of the weather. In the future, a mixture of Copper Dragon and Sevin Dust will keep slugs, snails and most other legged or winged creatures (insects, rodents, rabbits and deer) off of the plants during the crucial emerging and early summer growing stages. Make sure to not place any Copper Dragon and Sevin Dust on plants that have blooms or are beginning to bloom so you won't risk interrupting the pollination processes. Place the mixture around these plants at least 8 to 12 inches away. During the same time, a good line of cheap but common household Salt and a little Copper Dragon and Sevin Dust around the outside perimeter of the Ginseng beds and plots will usually keep most if not all slugs, snails and many other pests out of the beds and plots. Just make sure to keep the Salt a few feet away from any Ginseng plants to insure no harm, no foul!


Frank

The hard woods patch looks crowded to me. However, kudos on planting in Iowa anyway!

Some questions: What sort of hardwood is that there.? Have you done a soils analysis? You really should attempt that if not.
Those can be expensive... However perhaps your state dept of Ag will do them for free like here in NC.

Northern Iowa? East or west? We have people in Marcus, are you near there?

The hardwoods patch is not crowded at all. this is just a picture of the type of terrain. My actual ginseng is on the ridge on the east end of this picture..... Little less of a slope and a lot less foliage.

I am not worried about the soil to much. There is wild ginseng growing in this woods and the soil looks good. I did attemp to a ph test and came up with 5.5

No expert and never will be.... Just enjoy growing and being in the outdoors. So far it is working

I am from north central/east iowa. All types of terrain

This is where I planted. A lot less crowded...

Did I mention I enjoy being in the woods:laugh:

Did I mention I enjoy being in the woods:laugh:

BigRoots wrote:

Did I mention I enjoy being in the woods:laugh:

Yeah, you did mention that you enjoy being in the woods but dang, you didn't mention that you had so many Morels on the property! You have got a lot of Wildgrown folks salivating right now and jonesing for some fresh Morels! You must have some really great soil on the property or properties that are great for Ginseng, many Herbal plants and Morels. It seems that you could make a killing on whatever you decide to grow as a venture! How many offers have you had today on the Morels through the Wildgrown forums? LOL!!!

As for the property in the latest pic, you will need to harvest as much seed as possible not only to keep them from the birds and animals but also to propagate your' Ginseng crops. The property does not have enough incline to insure downhill propagation (spread) of the seeds and any that make it into the ground on their own, will likely be right under the mother plants.


Frank

I don't think i would sell them.... but i might trade for some seed;)

I few things I would like to learn/master...

1.) When is the best time to plant seed in the fall(Iowa)? Some say plant earlier so the seeds can adapt to the soil. Some say later... so seed will not dry up?

2.) When will my plants start producing seed that I can harvest and replant. My plants are 2 years old now.

3.) What is the best way to plant the seeds that you harvest?

4.) How to get the best germination rate. Soil, shade, moisture,seed quality, planting methods- till, rake, etc...

This is a learning experience for me.... and I enjoy watching my plants grow.

The large hail we got last night pry did not help them out too much....