What are the precautions for growing American ginseng?
American ginseng is a valuable tonic medicine that can tonify qi and nourish yin, relieve insomnia, enhance memory, clear heat and promote body fluid production, among other effects. The main domestic producing areas are in Shaanxi, Heilongjiang and other regions. What are the precautions for growing American ginseng?
1. Soil
Growing American ginseng requires choosing relatively fertile soil, preferably loose sandy soil containing a large amount of organic matter. It is suitable for growing in neutral soil, and the previous crop must not be radishes or other solanaceous and fruiting crops. American ginseng also needs a wind-sheltered area, otherwise growth will be affected.
2. Seed treatment and germination
When growing American ginseng, the seeds must be treated and germinated, and the purpose of this is disinfection. Soak them in carbendazim for about half an hour, then remove them. Then rinse them in clean water to wash off the residual chemicals, and finally place the seeds in an environment of about 20 degrees to germinate. You can also directly soak them in potassium permanganate solution for about 15 to 20 minutes, remove them, drain the water, and germinate them, to improve the seeds' resistance and germination speed.
3. Planting density
American ginseng also has relatively high requirements for planting density. It is generally planted at a density of 30 cm between rows and 20 cm between plants. This density allows for better air permeability, which is beneficial for nutrient absorption and field management. When planting, small adjustments can be made according to the soil conditions.
4. Temperature
American ginseng has strong cold resistance, but it prefers to grow in a mild and humid environment. It can be sown when the soil temperature is around 5 to 7 degrees, seedlings can emerge above 10 degrees, 15 to 20 degrees is most suitable for the growth of American ginseng, and it flowers above 20 degrees. When growing American ginseng, the temperature needs to be regulated. American ginseng has a certain cold resistance and generally will not be frozen to death as long as the temperature is not below minus 10 degrees.
5. Light
American ginseng prefers shade and has low light requirements. It cannot be placed in direct sunlight. When growing it, a shade shed needs to be built, using refracted light to supplement lighting. American ginseng needs greater shade during the young stage, and in the adult stage it needs an appropriate increase in light. When temperatures are relatively low in autumn and winter, light can be appropriately increased, while in summer the degree of shading should be increased. The light level is generally controlled between 10 and 30%.
6. Humidity
American ginseng likes moisture and is also tolerant of dampness. When growing it, the humidity needs to be maintained at around 55 percent. If water is lacking, it will lead to poor growth. During the growth and development stage, it needs frequent watering to keep it moist, while during overwintering it must not contain too much water, otherwise frost damage may occur.
7. Fertilization
The fertilizer for American ginseng is mainly soybean cake fertilizer and phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, and when fertilizing, it should be determined according to the soil's fertility level. In the late growth period (June to August), an appropriate amount of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer and urea needs to be added, with fertilization once a month.
8. Pests and diseases
If the soil is compacted, American ginseng is very prone to damping-off disease and rusty root rot. The control method is to disinfect the soil with 10-15 grams of carbendazim per square meter before planting ginseng, keeping the soil loose and well drained. If weevils or stem borers harm the ginseng leaves, spray with 600 times diluted fenitrothion solution or 500 times diluted carbaryl solution.
The growing cycle of American ginseng is relatively long (generally 4 to 6 years), and there are many things to pay attention to, so more energy needs to be spent caring for them during cultivation.