TOPIC: Anyone see the prices for Ginseng Seed and Rootlets on eBay? You got to be kidding me!

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Ebay selling prices for roots, seeds, and rootlets always seemed a little off kilter to me, but I have a bad suspicion that the TV show is going to really throw things into left field.

YOu guys might be right. eBay has been a clearing house for illegal sales of 'sang in the past, as well as today's activity.

Ok, so my curiosity got the best of me and I did an ebay search. They have some pretty rediculous prices for the amount of any seeds/rootlets. $25+$9 shipping for 50 seeds! It also said they would ship next week. The stratification on the seeds might not be complete. I'm not pro at growing from statified seed yet, but seems like a way somebody is trying to cash in.

Yes, I noticed that the other day as well. I've not sold on ebay for years now as they started nickel and diming me to death. When I first started selling rootlets on ebay, I was about the only one doing it. The next year there were half a dozen guys.

Now, its just a scam for the most part I think. Anyone who is shipping seed now...well...I just can't believe they don't know better.

Maybe I'll jump back on ebay with an informational ad and some reasonably priced seed and see how those guys like that!

That dumb TV show is going to goof with every aspect of our hobby, right down to having people buy a pound of seed, and piece it out 50 seeds at a time on Ebay, luring all the unsuspecting newcomers who saw the show and want to give it a try.

Point well taken fellas but here is my take on ebay seeds and rootlets being sold at high prices. Not every seed and root supplier on ebay is doing this but most of them are selling seed at ridiculous prices.

I recently watched a Youtube video of a fella that ordered 30 seeds off ebay. He seemed fairly knowledgeable about ginseng in some ways but not in others. He attempted to get ginseng seed to germinate by soaking them in water mixed with .5 % hydrogen peroxide. Not sure why he tried this.

Anyway, when he showed the seed he ordered off ebay they all looked like they were dry. When he put them in the water they all floated. So I am sure they were all dead. He never did get them to germinate.

Now here is my take on this ebay seed. If the newbies order 20,30,50 seeds and they do not grow, then the newbie will become disenchanted and move on. So I think if any newbies do order seed due to that stupid show they will soon find it is not easy to make a go of it and will drop like flies.

Also some sellers on ebay were selling ginseng seeds at ridiculous prices long before that stupid show. I have seen seed packets consisting of 20 seeds sell for a dollar a seed 5 years ago on ebay.

Latt

that fella in Wisconsin [or Michigan?] will sell you just a few seeds as well, so it's not just eBay so it's not limited to eBay... anyway, as with any eBay purchases I make, let the buyer beware!

I know that there has always been people trying to make a buck on ginseng and rightfully so. The whole tv sensationalism has created more people to try and cash in. Latt, I believe you are right in what you say but it is the people drawn by tv that will flock to the woods with there ebay investment. Whether it grows or not, they will stumble onto someone's honey whole while planting their ebay purchase. Then they will dig it out and have the feeling of a great accomplishment. Those people will always be trouble for us that have lifetimes invested. I'm not against anybody enjoying the Earth and what she has to offer, just don't want them in my patch on my land because I have a lot more than 20 plants growing.

Reeder,
I agree mostly.
Due to that stupid TV show, I think there is a much greater chance of new people entering the woods legitimately or illegitimately in search of ginseng.

On the other hand I am not as worried so much about them buying and planting seed tho and finding anyone's honey hole.

Even if they do attempt to plant seeds, planting seed successfully is difficult for even those of us that have been doing it for years.

My first attempt in planting ginseng seed was over 20 years ago. I bought 2 lbs from HSU's and planted it using the rake and scatter method. I planted it in a really nice woods on a northeastern slope in rich dark soil. Covered it nicely with leaves and waited til the next year to see my results. Only 5 % of it came up. The 5% that came up was under an ash tree. The 95 % that didn't come up I had planted underneath large Oak trees. Little did I know back then that you cannot plant seed underneath large oak trees that produce large waxy leaves that are too heavy for the seedlings to push up through.

Many would have walked away but I stuck with it and have been successful due to trial and error. I think only a hand full of folks like us here on Wildgrown stay with it.

New poachers and idiots in the woods looking for yours, mine and all of our planted seng and wild seng spots is my biggest concern.

My oldest son was more into girls, cars and sports when growing up. I tried to get him to go seng hunting with me but he had other interest. Now he is older, has a great job and a great girlfriend etc.

He watched the TV show and called me and asked if you can really sell seng for over $1,000 a lb. Guess you wants to seng hunt with me now. lol

I would teach him right but many newbies will be out there giving it a try without anyone teaching them to respect the rules and the woods.

Latt