Ginseng is one of the most important traditional Chinese and Korean medicinal herbs. Its botanical name Panax ginseng is derived from the word Panacea meaning “cure-all”.
Ginseng is not difficult to grow but requires patience to allow it to germinate and also to fully mature over a number of years before harvesting it.
The mature root is peeled and can be chewed raw, used to make a tea or soaked in an alcohol like wine to create an extract.
Seed supplied has already been stratified by the supplier.
The main requirements for growing ginseng are plenty of sun and air circulation, well-draining, loose soil that allows oxygen to reach the roots, good drainage so excess water drains away quickly, plenty of moisture during summer months when plants are actively growing.
Botanical Name
Lifecycle
Sowing Time
Preferred Growing Method
Soil Temperature for Optimum Germination
Days to Germination
Days to Maturity
Plant Spacing
Plant Height
Sowing time refers to the optimum time for sowing seed of a variety to encourage strong and vigorous growth. Whilst some varieties may be able to be sown outside the range suggested, they will generally perform best when sown in the approximate seasonal ranges provided.
A lot of seeds need consistent warmth to help them germinate. The best way to achieve this is to sow at the right time. By sowing in season when the conditions are optimum for seed germination you are increasing your chances of success. Slight bottom heat, approximately 20°C, can speed germination of many varieties.
To reference the best sowing times for a variety, we use sow numbers as detailed here:
DIRECT SOW
Soil Preparation: Turn over garden soil with spade or fork. A loose soil enriched with moderate amounts of organic matter or fertiliser to supply nutrients is best. Add any other conditioners such as peat moss, compost or sand etc., if not added the previous autumn. Break up the clods of earth and rake to produce a fine surface.
Sowing: Sow seed evenly in rows as directed. Lightly cover the seed with soil, a sieve may be useful. Depth should be no more than twice the diameter of the seed. In the case of very fine seed no covering is needed. Use the palm of your hand to press down on the soil to create a firm surface.
Watering: Water the soil either by a watering can or hose using a very fine spray until the surface appears damp.
Thinning: When seedlings are about 6cm high or have developed their first true leaves (recognisable as those of the sown species) the row should be thinned out to the plant’s required spacing.
Moisture Management: Keep soil moist but not drenched to ensure germination and rapid growth. When watering overhead, water earlier in the day to prevent having wet leaves overnight when the conditions are not as suitable for drying promoting disease development. The soil should appear dark and not brown to indicate appropriate moisture levels.
Ginseng is one of the most important traditional Chinese medicinal herbs that has been used for thousands of years to improve overall health by supporting the immune system, improving blood circulation and thought to provide a positive effect on energy levels.
Its botanical name Panax ginseng is derived from the word Panacea meaning “cure-all”. The mature root is peeled and can be chewed raw, boiled to make a pleasant tasting tea which can be drunk daily or soaked in an alcohol like wine to create an extract.
There is a lot of information on growing and the therapeutic use of Ginseng available on the internet. Like any plant with medicinal properties it should be used with caution.
Ginseng naturally grows in forests with slightly acidic soils with a pH of 6 to 6.5 and prefers lots of shade. Here in New Zealand several commercial operations utilise pine forests to grow crops in to achieve these conditions. For the home gardener, it’s possible to grow Ginseng in a shaded part of the garden that enjoys dappled light with evenly moist, well drained soil over the summer months or in large pots containing slightly acidic potting mix that can be moved about to avoid direct sunlight.
Ginseng is not difficult to grow but requires patience to allow it to germinate and also
to fully mature over a number of years before harvesting it. We supply seed that has been chilled (stratified) for a year but it can still take up to six
months for it to break its dormancy. Seed can be directly sown where it is to grow 15cm apart and lightly covered so it’s no more than 1cm deep.
It also prefers a cool environment to germinate in.
Seed beds should be left undisturbed for the first 2 years. After that plants can be lifted during the dormant period where they are spaced out to grow a further 3 to 5 years depending on how big the rhizomes are required to grow.
Troubleshooting:
Leaf blight and damping off in seedlings will be seen as brown spots on the leaves but can be treated successfully with a general purpose fungicide if caught early.
Protection from birds like thrushes and blackbirds
scratching about is necessary as they might pull seedlings out.
Grass grub and soil borne pests like slugs and snails should be monitored for. Signs of root damage will be viewable as wilted leaves.
Liverwort and other mosses that can form in shady acidic conditions can be controlled through the use of diluted vinegar solutions.
General Definitions
Annual
A plant that completes its entire life cycle (germinates, grows a plant, flowers, produces seed, dies) in one season. It may self-sow, thereby giving the impression of being perennial. Most annuals will flower 60 to 75 days from sowing.
Hardy Annual
An annual that does not need to be germinated indoors but can be sown direct into its growing position in the garden in spring and is tolerant of frost.
Tender Annual
An annual that is frost tender and can be germinated indoors. Sowing direct or planting outdoors must not occur until all danger of frost has passed (also known as a Half-Hardy Annual).
Biennial
A plant that completes its entire life cycle in two years - growing in the first, reproducing and dying in the second. Typically, but not always, producing flowers only in the second year.
Perennial
A plant that can live for more than two years, surviving the winter and flowering each year from the second season. Perennials may flower within 90 days of sowing in their first season but will more typically flower in their second
season.
Hardy Perennial
A perennial that is frost-tolerant.
Tender Perennial
A perennial that is frost tender.
Hardy
A plant that will survive frost.
Tender
A plant that will not survive frost.
Bolting
Going to seed. Premature formation of a seed stalk, may be due to plant stress.
Botanical Name
The formal scientific name conforming to the International Code of Nomenclature for plants. Identifies the genus and species to which the plant belongs useful in distinguishing plants uniquely.
Cotyledon
The seed leaves or first leaves that emerge from a germinated seed, different in form from the later true leaves.
True Leaves
The leaves that emerge after the cotyledons which are indicative of the true form
of the plant’s leaves.
Determinate
Growth stopped by development of terminal flower buds. A dwarf/bush variety which sets fruit in a concentrated period.
Indeterminate
Growth continuing indefinitely when leaf buds form at the tip of the growth. These varieties need to be staked and continue to set fruit until frost.
Heirloom
A variety that is older than two generations (50 years). Can also be referred to as “Heritage” and is always an open pollinated variety selected for garden performance (flavour, long harvest).
Hybrid
A plant resulting from a cross between two parent plants to give a genetically superior plant i.e. improved disease resistance, better vigour, more uniform harvest. Normally, seed saved from hybrids does not grow true to type.
F1 - The first generation of such a cross. Denoted in the name of the variety.
F2 - The second generation of such a cross etc.
Open Pollinated
Natural cross between plants of the same variety. Refers to non-hybrid seeds or plants.
NPK
Basic nutrient needs of plants:
Nitrogen
(N) - for green growth, healthy soil and microbial activity
Phosphorus
(P) - for flower, fruit and seed production; vigorous roots and disease resistance
Potassium
(K) - essential for building plant tissue (important for young plants) and the
quality and size of fruit.
pH A measurement for the acidity/alkalinity of soil, needed for nutrientavailability and microbial activity.
Scarification
Thepractice of scratching or notching the seed coat to assist germination. Usually
applies to hard coated seed.
Stratification
Chilling seeds to promote germination by breaking dormancy.
Viability
The ability of seeds to germinate.
Vigour
The speed and the strength
of the plant to establish well.
Delivery
Courier delivery by NZ Post.
Delivery available only to valid New Zealand
addresses.
The appropriate delivery charge will be applied at checkout.
Delivery charges are subject to change without notice.
You can track the status of your shipment via the link provided in your order confirmation email or by logging into your account online.
Click n Collect
Seed can only be collected from our warehouse at 189 Wharawhara Rd, Katikati
Select Click n Collect at the checkout
Click n Collect does not apply for collection at any Kings Seeds stockists nationwide.
Returns
Seed or Products can only be returned with authorisation from Kings Seeds.
Any request for the return of Seed or Products must be made within 14 days of delivery to info@kingsseeds.co.nz
Returned Seed or Products will only be accepted if unopened and in the same condition as when supplied and a record of
your purchase can be found
The Customer shall pay all costs in relation to return of the Seed or Products unless it is deemed a warranty issue.
Please see our Terms & Conditions of Sale for further information on our Returns Policy.
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