Ginseng - The King Of Forest Plants

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

This is how this medicinal plant was called in ancient manuscripts by the peoples of the East. Ginseng received such respect due to its amazing healing properties. As the ancient treatises said, the plant will help from any kind of weakness, sharpen the eyesight, strengthen the chest, return vigor and youth. Not surprisingly, ginseng root was worth its weight in gold

Sowing timing and seed preparation

Ginseng is propagated twice a year: in spring and autumn. However, it is recommended to give preference to the autumn period. This applies to both sowing seeds and seedlings with annual roots.

The optimal time for sowing ginseng seeds is the second decade of October. Before this, the seeds are stratified. A distinctive feature of ginseng is a two-stage stratification: warm and cold. To do this, the seeds are washed and aired, and then mixed with sand in proportions of 1: 3. The sand is pre-disinfected by calcining in the oven.

The sand with the seed is moistened and kept warm at a temperature of about + 20 ° C until the end of March or the beginning of April. This process takes about 4 months. The next stage is 5-month cold stratification.

Choosing a site for planting

Ginseng is grown on light nutritious soils - sandy loam meets such requirements. The percentage of humus in the soil should be high, acidity - neutral.

Ginseng is a shade-tolerant plant that can grow in light partial shade. Sunlit areas, however, would be a poor choice. In such conditions, the leaves of the plant wither very quickly, and soon die off. Because of this, the growth processes in the underground part of ginseng also stop, and the roots become hostages to a state of dormancy. In this form, they can be from a year to several years. If necessary, frames for shading from the sun are built over the beds with ginseng, inclined shields are installed.

Seed sowing technology

Suitable for sowing are seeds that have emerged, on which the sprouts that have made their way out are already clearly distinguishable. Before sowing in the ground, the seed must be pickled. For this, a solution of potassium permanganate is used.

The soil also needs to be prepared. For this, fertilizers are applied under deep digging. The most effective organic matter for ginseng is leaf humus. It requires about 5 kg per 1 square meter. Then, when grooves for sowing are created on the bed, a layer of leaf humus is also laid on the bottom. And after that, the seeds are laid at a distance of about 6-7 cm between plantings. The row spacing is left about 20 cm.

Ginseng planting care

Ginseng belongs to the group of moisture-loving plants. In addition, he painfully experiences significant sudden fluctuations in soil moisture levels. Therefore, you need to monitor the frequency and regularity of watering, and carry it out at least once a day. Therefore, if you visit your personal plot no more than a couple of times a week, then you are unlikely to succeed in breeding ginseng.

Among the features of ginseng are the epiphytic properties of the leaves, which have the ability to absorb moisture from the air. Therefore, it is important that its humidity is at the required level - about 85%.

However, waterlogging also has a negative effect on ginseng beds. As practice shows, even with a short-term stagnation of water, you can lose half of the valuable raw materials.

Annual plants from the nursery to a permanent place are planted in the fall according to the scheme 30x25 cm. Before transplanting, it is recommended to treat the roots with Bordeaux liquid. Fresh plantings are hidden under straw mats, mulched with cut grass. For the winter, the beds are hidden under a layer of leafy humus.