Detailed Explanation of the Latest Planting Methods for Ginseng Seeds

Ginseng, also known as ghost umbrella, divine herb, earth essence and so on, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Panax in the family Araliaceae. It prefers cool and humid climates, is intolerant of strong light and high temperatures, and requires soil that is well-drained, loose, fertile, and deep in humus layer, such as brown forest soil or mountain podzolic brown forest soil. It has extremely high cultivation value. Let us take a look below at how to plant ginseng seeds!

Seed Germination

1. Germination site: Choose a location for ginseng seed germination that is sheltered from the wind, faces the sun, is high and dry, and well-drained. Clear the topsoil, dig drainage ditches around it, set aside a seed-drying area, and put up windbreaks.

2. Selecting germination boxes: Place germination boxes or bed frames on the leveled ground. The boxes should be 40 cm high and 90-100 cm wide, with the length determined by the quantity of seeds. Firmly pack soil around the frames.

3. Germination substrate: Germination substrates include pure sand, sand mixed with humus soil, and pure humus soil. Generally, pure sand is best. Using pure humus soil as a substrate easily causes seed rot. To prevent seed rot, the seeds can first be disinfected with 1% carbendazim by sand weight.

4. Soaking and boxing: Before treatment, to allow dry seeds to fully absorb water, first soak them in tap water for 1 day and night, remove and dry slightly, then mix thoroughly with sifted substrate at a ratio of 1 part seeds to 3 parts substrate, and put into boxes.

Seed Sowing

1. Sowing time: Generally in April, sow seeds that have already been germinated, or in summer sow freshly harvested fresh seeds (water seeds), or in autumn sow before the soil freezes. After sowing, the seeds must go through summer, autumn, and winter before they can emerge in spring.

2. Sowing method: Before sowing, first prepare the land and make beds, 23-33 cm high and 126-133 cm wide, with operation paths between beds of 2-2.66 cm. Use broadcast sowing at 0.5 grams per square centimeter, cover with 3-4 cm of soil after sowing, and keep the soil moist regularly. Seedlings emerge around early May.

Seedling Transplanting

1. Transplanting time: Ginseng can be planted in spring and autumn. Spring planting is usually from late March to early April, after the soil thaws and before the buds sprout. If too late, the ginseng seedlings have already sprouted and will grow poorly after transplanting. Autumn planting is generally from early October to early November. It can be done from when the aboveground parts wither in autumn until before the land freezes. It can be done later, but not too early. If too early, the ginseng seedlings have not fully entered dormancy, the soil temperature is high, and there is a risk of heat damage and seedling rot.

2. Ginseng seedling treatment: Divide ginseng seedlings into 3-4 grades by size so they can be planted and managed separately. Before transplanting, soak all ginseng transplants in 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture for 10 minutes. Be careful not to soak the buds. After removing from the disinfectant, dry slightly and they are ready for planting. Alternatively, spray the ginseng seedlings with 400 times zinc ethylenebisdithiocarbamate solution until the seedlings are thoroughly wet.

3. Transplanting method: When transplanting ginseng, shorten the time as much as possible and do not let the transplants lose water and dry out. The transplants should be lifted and planted immediately. Plant at a 30-40 degree slant with the rhizome head facing upward. The seedlings have already grown for 2-3 years and have formed a shaded side and a sunny side. Do not reverse them during transplanting, otherwise it will affect emergence and growth. Before covering with soil, cover from the rhizome head to the shoulder with half a handful of river sand, then take a small amount of soil to press down the root tips, and then use a transplanting board to take soil and cover the seedlings completely.

Field Management

1. Loosening soil: After ginseng thaws in spring, loosen the surface soil of the bed to raise soil temperature. One-year-old plants require 3-4 rounds of soil loosening and weeding, generally from early April to early May, in June, and in August. For plots that are too wet or too dry, and in years with abnormal rainfall, increase the number of soil loosenings.

2. Shading: Ginseng is afraid of strong light and sun exposure. From mid-April to early May, when more than half of the ginseng seedlings have emerged, frames can be set up and curtains placed on them to make shade sheds. The specifications of the shade shed depend on the age of the ginseng being shaded, local climatic conditions, and terrain conditions.

3. Adjusting sunlight: In midsummer, insert fresh tree branches with leaves into the ground at the front eaves and sides of the shade shed, or hang branches on the edge of the shade shed eaves. Sparse curtains made of sorghum stalks, reeds, and the like can also be hung on the front eaves to turn strong light into filtered light entering the shade shed.

4. Bud removal: Ginseng blooms and sets seed after growing for more than 3 years. Except for seed production, generally around mid-May on sunny days, all flower buds are removed. In seed-production fields, during early flowering, remove 1/3 to 1/2 of the flower buds in the middle of the inflorescence.

5. Seed collection: Ginseng begins to bloom and set seed at 3 years of age. Ginseng fruits mature successively and should be harvested as they ripen. Rub and wash off the fruit skin and flesh. The washed seeds can be slightly dried and used as water seeds for summer sowing. If not used, they should be dried in the shade for storage. Drying in the sun will reduce the germination rate.

6. Overwintering: Around “Frost's Descent”, when ginseng stems and leaves are nearly withered, cut the plants at the root zone. Remove the scattered grass covering the bed surface in the garden. Cover the bed with grass or old grass curtains, or dig up soil from the operation paths and cover it on top to about 5-8 cm.

7. Harvest: Ginseng can be harvested after growing for 4-6 years. Harvesting is generally carried out in late autumn around “Frost's Descent” when the aboveground plants turn withered and yellow. Avoid causing few fibrous roots or broken roots. Shake off the soil from the harvested ginseng and transport it back immediately, and process it promptly to prevent drying out or molding.