Ginseng

Plant family

- others -

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Shady

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Seeding 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. Seeds take much longer before you can harvest the roots. Unstratified seeds must be subjected to cold treatment before they germinate. To do this, you place them in moist sand and put them in a mesh bag. This is buried and left in the ground over the winter. It can take up to 5-10 years before ginseng can be harvested. However, except for the long cultivation period, it is quite undemanding. It does not tolerate waterlogging and its location should definitely be shady, as it does not compete well with weeds. In a well-prepared soil, with sufficient compost, it does not require additional fertilization and only needs a little watering in very dry weather. Mulching is advisable. Grows well under trees.