Woods grown ginseng.

[peapod]

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Peapod, glad to see others planting goldenseal as well, it is illegal to dig at all and highly endangered in many states and is good for stomach ailments as well as chest colds and respiratory issues. In Indiana it is legal to dig, but rare to find and not very high priced really. I take care of my many patches here and stratify seed naturally in large patches every season, I've had a lot of success with spreading it, not just here on the farm, but unknown to the neighbors, on theirs as well.



Alan, for as progressive as Mn can be with some things... There doesn't seem to be to much as far as I can find about growing goldenseal, I myself have used if for what seems like ages. 300 roots is nothing. At the time it was all I could afford. If in the future(2-3 years) the roots can be dried and sold to companies that will process it for medicinal use in supplements and such.

I know a gal that will use it in her herbal face creams and other body salves etc.

From what I understand Ginsing takes about 5 years for the roots to be harvest-able. Is that true or not?

Peapod

[mjc]

3 to 5...and 5 year old roots usually meet the multi-fork requirements to be 'legal'.

[trixtrax]

It's a little too wet and cool to grow Goldenseal or Ginseng out here well, but thankfully we have Oregon Grape (Mahonia nervosa) which is an awesome substitute to Goldenseal - nearly an exact substitute. Unfortunately, development, pollution, and collection is taking a hit on the plant, though it is still pretty common. I am interested in growing the close relative Eleuthereococcus senticosus for its adapogenic properties as well as its potent anti-radiation properties. Horizon Herbs carries it: www.horizonherbs.com/product.asp?specific=481 . Native to our woods is also Oplopanax horridum or Devil's Club which is a adapogen very similar to Elethero which I currently grow and can offer seeds in the late summer. Devil's Club also has power anti-inflammatory properties and is used to *reverse* adult-onset diabetes.

[mnjrutherford]

Any thought given to growing wasabi? It needs to grow in moist shade. I was hoping to give it a shot here, but I was told we have a soil borne disease that would not allow a good crop. Anyway, this is a plant with a strong and growing culinary market. Right alongside mushrooms. There is a great demand for fresh wasabi, but a nearly none existent supply.

[freedomsailer]

Yikes they are sold out of seeds.... that grabbed my attention, i have wild ginseng growing here on my land but very few and not enough to risk harvesting it. so planting seeds would be a great way of increasing the size and amt. ill just plant it on the other side away from the wild and keep my mouth shut. shhhhhhhhh hehee

[trixtrax]

mnjrutherford

I have a friend who sells wasabi starts as part of his business, I could forward you his phone number or email, if your interested. He says that wasabi can be grown OK upland but thrives the best with good sun and running water. If I remember correctly. This is one reason why horseradish has taken off as a wasabi replacement. But, I'm with you, wasabi is a really great and zippy herb.