Ginseng

Plant family

- others -

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Shady

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Plant distance

20 cm

Row spacing

20 cm

Seeding depth

4 cm

Instructions

Description

The natural occurrence is in northern Korea, northeastern China and southeastern Siberia. Ginseng (Panax ginseng), also called Asian ginseng or Chinese and Korean ginseng. It belongs to the Aralia family (Araliaceae). Its roots are used as medicines and remedies. It can be grown from seeds or roots. It needs a very shady location, as it should only get about 10-20% sunlight. It takes several years to be harvested if sown from seed. Therefore, some patience is required when growing ginseng. The ginseng tree or Ficus 'Ginseng' is commercially available. However, this does not belong to the genus Panax, but is a variety of fig (Ficus microcarpa), which is cultivated as a bonsai.

Growing tips

You can grow ginseng from roots or seeds. The seeds take considerably longer before the roots can be harvested. Unstratified seeds must be subjected to cold treatment before they germinate. To do this, place them in damp sand and put them in a mesh bag. This is buried and left in the soil over the winter. It can take up to 5-10 years before ginseng can be harvested. However, apart from the long cultivation period, it is quite undemanding. It does not tolerate waterlogging and its location should always be shady, as it does not compete well with weeds. In well-prepared soil with sufficient compost, it requires no additional fertilization and only needs a little watering in very dry weather. Mulching is useful. Grows well under trees.