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A Brief Guide to American Ginseng, Panax quinquefolius
L., Reintroduction
Why Reintroduce?
Re-introduction is a technique of conservation biology familiar from somewhat
controversial
cases like reintroducing wolves to parks. Like the wolf, ginseng has been
made rare due to years of concerted harvesting and removal from the wild.
But unlike the wolf, if you reintroduce American ginseng to your woodland,
local farmers will not be knocking on your door when their farm animals
are eviscerated.
After many days of determinedly searching for plants to study, I can personally
attest that American ginseng is an uncommon plant to encounter as you
walk through North Eastern woodlands. Reintroducing American ginseng means
repla
cing
a historically, economically and ecologically important plant where man
has removed it. Be it to a wooded backyard or National Forest, the goal
of reintroduction is to establish a population that will flourish and
perpetuate itself, just like wild plants. Fortunately, American ginseng
has been successfully cultivated in the last 100 years in semi-wild to
plantation-like settings, so we have a good idea how to grow this plant.
Obtaining Seed Stock
The success and relative popularity of American ginseng cultivation means
that seeds and rootlets are widely available through ginseng growers and
nurseries. The impact of commercial farming also means that cultivated
American ginseng has been genetically modified from its wild brethr
en.
So in attempting to restore American ginseng to the wild, the origins
of the seeds or roots need to be carefully considered. Planting seeds
bought from a Wisconsin ginseng farm in New York woodlands may not be
a successful reintroduction per se: the seed's progenitors were wild plants
adapted to the local conditions of Wisconsin and arbitrarily selected
for characters like disease resistance that gave them commercial success.
So rather than put plants in the wild that represent a genetic introduction,
it is important to buy seeds from at least a regional or in-state origin.
Even when buying from a local grower, you should establish that the origin
of his stock is indeed local. Ideally, it would be best to use seeds harvested
from a known local population. Seeds mature in late August to September,
when they turn bright red in color.
Planting
Planting takes place in the fall and so by replicates American ginseng's
natural habit of dropping its fruitinto the leaf layer. There are two
ways of introducing ginseng to a site with their own advantages and disadvantages:
seeds or 1-year old bare roots. It is essential to plan ahead the season
before to be able to obtain the propagules and plant them soon after.
For reintroduction, planting will most likely be doneby hand, putting
the seeds or rootlets about one inch into the litter layer. In the spring,
a single-leafed shoot should arise bearing three small leaflets. In the
second year, the plants will develop two leaves, or prongs, as pictured.
The first three years of growth have the highest mortality rates for American
ginseng, so success of reintroduction will not be immediately obvious.
Books
Here are some basic books aimed at would-be cultivators, yet are teeming
with invaluable practical advice for reintroduction. You can copy and
paste the title right into your favorite online book source.
Title: Ginseng and Other Medicinal Plants: A book of valuable information
for growers as well as collectors of medicinal roots, barks, leaves Etc.
By: A.R. Harding
Copyright 1908, many reprints by various publishing outlets are available.
This book contains a historical account of American ginseng and techniques of cultivation. Also, Harding's book has important information on ginseng's habitat as a reference in choosing sites to grow ginseng in. Despite the ancient date of publication, the information is accurate and the book provides vital information to anyone interested in growing ginseng.
Title: American Ginseng Green Gold
By: W. Scott Persons
Copyright 1986 & 1994 by Bright Mountain Books Incorporated.
Person's book contains concise, practical information about ginseng cultivation.
The book is a great guide to growers with many pictures and useful advice.
I would consider this book a vital resource to anyone attempting reintroduction.
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