Detailed Explanation of the Latest Requirements for Ginseng Cultivation Conditions
Ginseng mostly grows between 40 and 45 degrees north latitude, with an average January temperature of -23 to 5°C, an average July temperature of 20 to 26°C, strong cold resistance, able to withstand low temperatures of -40°C, a suitable growth temperature of 15 to 25°C, an annual accumulated temperature of 2000 to 3000°C, a frost-free period of 125 to 150 days, snow cover of 20 to 44 cm, and annual precipitation of 500 to 1000 mm. The soil should be well-drained, loose, fertile brown forest soil or mountain podzolic brown forest soil with a deep humus layer, with a pH value of 5.5 to 6.2. It mostly grows under mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests dominated by Korean pine or under deciduous broad-leaved forests, with a canopy density of 0.7 to 0.8. Ginseng usually flowers after 3 years and fruits after 5 to 6 years, with a flowering period from May to June and a fruiting period from June to September. It grows under deciduous broad-leaved forests or mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests at altitudes of several hundred meters.
Environmental Requirements
Generally, broad-leaved forests dominated by oak and linden trees and mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests are selected. Ginseng prefers a cool climate and can be cultivated under conditions with an annual average temperature of 2.4 to 13.9°C and annual rainfall of 500 to 2000 mm.
Soil Conditions
Yellow sand, black sand humus soil, loam, and sandy loam with an organic matter content above 3%, soil pH of 6.0 to 6.5, and a water, air, and solid volumetric ratio of 1:2:1. The concentration of benzene hexachloride in the soil must not exceed 0.4 mg/kg of soil, and the concentration of quintozene must not exceed 0.3 mg/kg of soil. The slope should be within 15 degrees. Use soil that has been aged for one year, and carry out proper disinfection of soil, seeds, and seedlings before sowing and transplanting.
Ginseng is neither drought-tolerant nor waterlogging-tolerant, and a soil relative moisture content of 70% to 80% or above is preferable. Therefore, proper drainage and irrigation are extremely important.
Light Conditions
Ginseng is a shade-loving plant with relatively strict light requirements, and its light compensation point is about 400 lux. When light increases from 400 lux to 10,000 lux, its photosynthetic rate rises almost in a straight line.
If light is too strong, the plant becomes short, with thick and yellowish leaves. If light is too weak, the plant becomes tall and slender, with thin and dark green leaves, and growth is abnormal. Therefore, when cultivating ginseng, shading should be carried out to regulate light transmittance, avoid direct strong light, and use scattered light and refracted light.
The optimal light intensity for ginseng growth varies with latitude and temperature. Higher latitudes and lower temperatures require greater light intensity, and vice versa. In high-latitude, low-temperature areas, it is 7000 to 22,000 lux, while in warmer low-latitude areas, it is 7000 to 10,000 lux.
Fertilizer Requirements
Ginseng likes fertilizer but is afraid of unrotted fertilizer. It likes organic and inorganic fertilizers, but fears the application of unrotted manure and a lack of soil moisture after fertilization, which can cause ginseng root burn and root rot.