Clay soil?

[Auntie Artie]

I dug some ginseng this weekend that had very short roots...like tiny onions or radishes that were packed into hard soil.  I think it's because of the clay content where I was.  The roots were only about an inch long.  I put him back, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me about this?  Is that a good place to grow ginseng?  Was it a young plant?  Will it eventually get long? If not, will the smaller root still have value at 10 years old?

[Brad]

As long as the root is bulby, it will have value.  A good rule of thumb is the thickness should be at least the size of your thumb.

[Auntie Artie]

It was bigger around than my thumb, but only about an inch long. 

Thank you.