Messages

1

Wild Ginseng / Re: Should I replant or dry?

« on: September 30, 2014, 01:11:43 AM »

What exactly is it about pines that is bad?  Just curious.  Also, is there certain elevations that ginseng does that best at?  I have other places I could plant but they aren't close to home were I could check on them regularly and since this is so new to me and I'm already hooked, I really would like to have them close to watch them.  One more question and I'll hopefully be finished.  I have no idea exactly how much nutrients is in the soil and from my research I have found ginseng needs calcium rich soil to really do good and have a better chance of not getting any diseases but is too much calcium going to kill them?  I have been putting gypsum down at planting sites but, even though its probably unlikely since I havent found any ginseng growing there, what if there is already enough calcium in the soil?  Would it kill my roots before they have a chance to grow next spring?

2

Wild Ginseng / Should I replant or dry?

« on: September 29, 2014, 06:25:27 PM »

I have several roots which are older and I would like to replant them but from what I have read online I am thinking they are too old and do not have enough "hair roots" for this.  Any advice is appreciated because I am completely new to ginseng this year.  I am planting seeds, 1 year old roots and the roots in the below pictures if they will grow back.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/Bryan_Call/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00104_zpsnbmskcyy.jpg

These are the ones I believe I will replant unless told otherwise.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/Bryan_Call/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00105_zpsqfos7hkb.jpg

Also, if anyone can tell by these pictures, I know the woods around my house aren't the best probably but it has a few characteristics which make me think it might be ok.  First, there is plenty of leaf mulch.  The soil is awesome, in my opinion, because the top 2-3 inches is completely a very soft, fine, dark brown humus layer.  Underneath that is a very small 1/2-1 inch layer of very fine (much finer than sand) gray soil and under that is typical dark brown/black soil.  My research suggest that the humus layer and the gray soil could be calcium rich but I havent had it tested.  One issue is the area is mostly flattish.  I live in the foothills of NC, about 1-1.5 hours from the Appalachians but only 20 minutes from the Blue Ridge.  Hopefully some of this info can help and wasn't completely useless.  Here is a couple pics of the woods from a week ago.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/Bryan_Call/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00097_zpssav0ydef.jpg
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/Bryan_Call/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00096_zpsmyuubx5s.jpg
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y476/Bryan_Call/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00100_zpsaicqueyb.jpg

There are just as many coniferous trees as there are your more ideal hardwoods.  There are some hills, just not in the pictures, and around 3 small streams (inches deep and a few feet wide).  A few areas have this great soil and others have hard, red dirt with leaf litter and basically no soft humus. 

Thanks for anyone with advice.