Chinese Panax

[Hoser]

I've been planting ginseng for several years now on my place in Southeastern Ohio.  I don't get to spend as  much time there as I would like but it is very theraputic.  I ordered some seed from  three differant sources in China to try and grow some of that variety.  To be brief the seed was very dry when I received it in the Summer so I decided to hold it over in refrigeration instead of planting.  Anyway I don't see any real sign of sprouting as I have of seeds I've stratified in the past.  So--- the big question is there any source of that variety in the USA.  I've done a bunch of internet searches and never found a domestic source.  I even made a segregated wired off spot for the seeds but it looks like I'll be planting tomatoes there until I find a differant source of seeds.  Anybody -----

[Brad]

I'm not sure about that Hoser.  I am only familiar with American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).  In that case, you want to plant your seeds in the fall if at all possible.  I do not know if there is any real value to the variety you have, unless of course it is in fact American ginseng grown in China.

Of late, there is information that contradicts the long held belief that dry ginseng seed is dead ginseng seed.  I have let stratified seeds get very dry on the surface and it still did well.  Much of the seed I've been obtaining in the past few years has been extremely dry from the grower, but is still testing above 95% germination rates.  But, exceptionally dry seed still makes me nervous!

[Hoser]

  From what I've been able to read on the internet is it's pretty close to being the same plant, panax koreanis, panax chinesis I believe.  Except they are actually supposed to be a little hardier and the above ground plant itself larger.  The Chinese in particular forbade the export of live seeds up until the turn of this century ( 2001) but as I have said the seed I purchased shows no signs of life yet.

[tnginseng]

Hello Hoser,
Just my thoughts, you may want to check with customs about introducing (importing) a foriegn plant into the U.S. I am not sure of the legality of it however. You may be able to purchase some Korean Ginseng Seeds through Paul Hsu's. or even some rootlets.
Since this question was pretaining to a source i hope that it is ok with Brad that i mention this. If it is not ok with ECG please feel free to delete this post.

[Brad]

Hoser
Are you certain the seed has been stratified properly?  Also, I sencond the issues on importation.  I know what a nightmare it is to get legally aquired ginseng out of the country.  So, I suspect getting something from China here is going to be even worse.


Tnginseng
Since I do not deal in Korean ginseng, and it has little or no value as far as I know, I'll leave the post be.  Besides, I've heard enough stories and witnessed enough myself about some 'competitors' that I'm sure they are not cutting into my business.

I have a section of the site in which ginseng dealers may purchase advertisement.  But, since my business is mostly selling seed and rootlets, those aspects of their ads will be regulated ...it is my site after all and its purpose is to support my current and prospective customers.

Thanks for asking!

[Whitjr]

Some other considerations about planting foreign 'sang are if this will be an influence on our domestic products...  As I understand it, our American gensing is considered among the best worldwide.  As such any and all of our sang is bought and pretty much sent overseas for consumption and use. 

I thought of doing what you did, however stopped short of that as I want to be able to sell my product [one day down the road] as natural American genetics.

[Hoser]

Well don't worry whit as I dought that any of those genetics will escape my area by the control enclosure and travel to tennessee from Ohio.  Out of 200 seeds I see none growing.  The control area is not only in an electrified area with sattelite surveilance it's so damn far back in the woods the coyotes don't go there.