TOPIC: Springtime, anytime now, I'm waiting.

It seems like I recall ginseng starting to sprout up in the spring around the time that morels start coming up. (I have nothing to do this time of year but sit and think about little plants underground right now). It seems to me that last year spring was further along by late March, and winter just keeps hanging around this year. As I recall, Mayapples always seem to be a little bit later and once they are up, then all the ginseng that is going to grow is up. In your experiences, older plants tend to be more brave and emerge before seedlings right? Have y'all ever had a problem with late freezes/frosts (especially in mountain valleys) killing off your early sprouts?

Max..

I am in Middle TN.

The last two springs I have had 3 leafers up on 3/20 and 3/18 but they were early springs (compared to this year). Now that was just a few early birds and last year some of those got frost bit and died. I do normally have a lot of 3 leafers up before the end of March and then the first week or two in April many others emerge and my larger stuff starts coming up around the second week in April.

Below is a pic of a nice 4 prong as it was just emerging in my seed producing bed.

That pic was taken on 4/20 last year.

TNhunter

Everything seemed early last year because of the unseasonably warm weeks we had. This is also the reason for the high prices and seed shortage this year. Many of the flower buds on the commercial ginseng crops got nipped by a late May frost.

Nice pic TN. Can't wait till the woods start to pop. I had planted these small rootlets about 3 weeks ago. They seem to be doing well in the house for the moment. I took this pic yesterday after work.
Latt

I still have a couple feet of snow in my orchard up here in Vermont. Going to be a while before I see my first seng plant of the year! We normally don't see them up here until mid May anyways.

Normally our last frost is early May, but years like 2 years ago when we had that 70 degree weather in March got plants leafing out early. Then if you have a late frost it could hurt seng plants, but only if they are in a fairly open area, which isn't to often. It's an interesting thought, I'm not sure if frost would effect them if there was a late frost.

Sure looks cold there Maya

Maya,
Its defenately looking like you'll have to suffer through a bit more of winter. I think we'll see emergence by the end of this week, highs in the 70's and lows in the 50's.How are you making it through your recovery? Hopefully you can be back in full swing come digging season.

Hillhopper

Maya,
That sure is a cold looking scene in that picture. It will be a while on the ginseng in that country. It has been crazy here in East Tn. Yesterday it got up into the high 60s and then about 1:30AM this morning I got up and it was snowing lightly. It's supposed to be 30 degrees in the morning. I guess ginseng will emerge here when it's ready. Who knows when that will be.
Are you going to try to do all of your pruning this Spring? You have a lot of work ahead of you if you don't have some help. Maybe Hillhopper and I can run up and whittle on a few. We've both got a little experience with pruning shears.
I hope you have a good season.

Hugh

Sounds good to me Hugh. I could use a good road trip.

Hillhopper

It's supposed to warm up this week. I'm optimistic, however am remembering that is was 21 degrees here just last Thursday morning......

We had a big windy day, and I turned my heat on in my greenhouse again yesterday. only 39 degrees in there mid morning. Hopefully I won't have to burn any more propane for at least a week, if the Weather Channel is on their game!