Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

Ginseng is demanding to cultivate. Outdoors, the seeds often only germinate in the second year after sowing. Outdoor sowing takes place in autumn or in early winter before the first soil frosts. Cool temperatures promote germination.

For an artificial cold stratification, the seeds are kept in the fridge for 4-6 weeks with a little bit of slightly moist sand (e.g. in a freezer bag). Keep the seeds regularly moist. Then, from January, preculture indoors can be started. After the last frosts, the plantlets are put into the bed - transplant them cautiously, only older plants in the dormant phase survive this step well.

Ginseng draws itself into the ground in autumn and is hardy in mild areas. Otherwise, hibernate it protected with a peat or mulch layer. Loves shady locations with humus, non-calcareous soil. Forrest ground is ideal. Waterlogging is poison for the development of the roots. Harvest in autumn after the aerial plant parts have drawn themselves in. Earliest from the fourth year, highest potency of active ingredients from the sixth year.

From the third year, Korean ginseng forms red berries that can be harvested and used for the gain of seeds.

Picture source: By FloraFarm GmbH / Katharina Lohrie - Bild selbst erstellt, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3124085