NEW TO GINSENG....HELP

[moosedsl]

Hello Everyone!

I was out and about looking for hunting scrapes, droppings etc. I found ginseng on our property, and know little about it. Most plants arnt huge, but all 5 prong. Can someone give me some ideas on how to know for sure its wild, not simulated? How to tell the age the most accuratly, and any info on selling in Upstate NY? What to look for in best roots. Size length vs width? Some of mine are thick like a carrot, others are small like grapes but lots of notches. Should I leave them to let them get older even though they are 5 prong? ANY help would be appreciated. THANKS

[Brad]

Hi Moosedsl,

Welcome to the forum.

wow...all five prongs huh?  It would be almost a sin to dig those without documenting that patch with lots of good pictures!   

Seriously, I'd love to see that.  Might give me a better handle of what you have there too.  But, from the sounds of it, you have some very select roots.  From your description, I doubt that they are someone's patch, unless someone forgot them, or has passed on and left them.  either way, if they are on your property, they are yours lacking some form of arrangement.  I don't know NY law on that, but I'd bet I'm close.

Look at the Articles section for pictures and descriptions of the best way to dig and properly handle your ginseng.

[moosedsl]

Heres some roots

[moosedsl]

Pic

[Brad]

Normally, when taking these pictures, I try to put a dollar bill in to show scale.

Most of that looks pretty good, but maybe a little on the small side yet depending on the true scale which can't be determined by the pictures.

The bad news is that the bigger root in the second picture shows significant damage from a digging tool.  This will reduce its value to about 1/3 of what it was without the damage.  Check out the article section of the site for instructions on digging, washing, and even taking pictures of your ginseng.

Otherwise, those look like pretty good roots to me.

[timbo]

I've heard of a place called Sylvan Botanicals. I think it's in the Catskills. I didn't have much luck finding out more about them , but maybe you'll have more luck. Did you say they were five prongers you found? Or five leaf. They would be pretty old to be that big I would think. I can't wait to get out and look myself. I am new to it and had never heard of ginseng hunting till recently. I'm hoping nobody else around here has heard of it either.

[Brad]

Sylvan Botanicals is Scott Harris.   I did business with him once.   Nuff said.