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Planting Info
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Growing Ginseng
Ginseng should be planted in a hardwood forest with at least 70% shade. A east or north facing slope is best but ginseng can also be planted on a southern and western slope if the shade and moisture is good. We have had excellent growth on some southern slopes and our western slopes can produce very good looking root but it is smaller and takes longer to get up size. I believe it is due to the lack of moisture which is causing the plants to die down earlier than it does on the other slopes.
When planting ginseng seed you can till the soil (not recommended by me) or you can simply use two rakes. A stiff garden rake and a leaf rake. These are all the tools you really need to be successful at planting.
Start at the bottom of your hillside and using your leaf rake pull a section of leaves down the slope. A three or four foot section will do. Now take your garden rake and chop the exposed ground up maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch deep.
Take your seeds and broadcast them on the ground with a desired spacing of 4 to 6 inches. They are not all going to land perfectly so don't worry too much. Now flip your leaf rake over on it's back and pull it across the ground to settle the seeds in.
Now using your leaf rake reach above the planted area and pull the leaves down over your seeded area and make sure it is well covered. This should expose a new planting area just above the one you just finished. So repeat the process as you go up the hillside until you reach your stopping point.
A note here. It is ok to stand on your planted are as you go up the hill just make sure it stays well covered.
You can also start at the top and rake an area the width and length that you want and starting at the top chop up and seed as you go down and then just pull the leaves back in over your bed when you are done.
If you are transplanting 1 or 2 year rootlets then you need to plant then 1 to 2 inches deep and at a 45 degree angle with the bud facing upward. Do not plant them to deep. They will work there way deeper as they age. Plant rhizomes 6 inches apart.
Growing Goldenseal
I do not recommend planting from seed. Goldenseal seed is tricky and it is hard to find. Planting from rhizomes is by far the best way to go. Unless you just totally botch the planting you should get a very reliable stand from cuttings.
Get your rhizomes from a reliable source. A piece around 3/4 of an inch or larger would be what you want. A large rhizome can be cut into several pieces depending upon size. If you can get a bud on each piece that would be the best but it is not a deal breaker if you don't. The rhizome should over time form a new bud on each piece but if it has a bud from the get go it will start growing a lot faster.
Plant your rhizome about 2 inches deep with the bud facing up. The shade and moisture requirements being pretty much the same as ginseng. When the berries turn red pick them and plant them at that moment. Do not try to store them just pick and plant and in a couple of years if your luck holds you will begin to see a few little plants coming up. Plant these 4 to 6 inches apart.
I do not recommend planting from seed. Goldenseal seed is tricky and it is hard to find. Planting from rhizomes is by far the best way to go. Unless you just totally botch the planting you should get a very reliable stand from cuttings.
Get your rhizomes from a reliable source. A piece around 3/4 of an inch or larger would be what you want. A large rhizome can be cut into several pieces depending upon size. If you can get a bud on each piece that would be the best but it is not a deal breaker if you don't. The rhizome should over time form a new bud on each piece but if it has a bud from the get go it will start growing a lot faster.
Plant your rhizome about 2 inches deep with the bud facing up. The shade and moisture requirements being pretty much the same as ginseng. When the berries turn red pick them and plant them at that moment. Do not try to store them just pick and plant and in a couple of years if your luck holds you will begin to see a few little plants coming up. Plant these 4 to 6 inches apart.
Growing Bloodroot
Bloodroot should also be planted using rhizomes. It is the cheapest and easiest way. The shade requirements are a little different than ginseng and goldenseal as it does not need the 70% shade but does need moisture and at least afternoon shade. It will in many areas come through the ground and begin growing before all the trees are out in full leaf. At this time of the year the sun is not typically that hot so it should be fine.
Plant the rhizomes about 1 inch deep with the bud facing up. As the rhizomes grow they will start sprouting new rhizomes from the old one and in the fall these can be cut or broken off and replanted as a new plant. They do respond well to fertilizer and typically it will not hurt the value of the root like it does with ginseng. Plant these 4 to 6 inches apart. Separate as they get larger.
Bloodroot should also be planted using rhizomes. It is the cheapest and easiest way. The shade requirements are a little different than ginseng and goldenseal as it does not need the 70% shade but does need moisture and at least afternoon shade. It will in many areas come through the ground and begin growing before all the trees are out in full leaf. At this time of the year the sun is not typically that hot so it should be fine.
Plant the rhizomes about 1 inch deep with the bud facing up. As the rhizomes grow they will start sprouting new rhizomes from the old one and in the fall these can be cut or broken off and replanted as a new plant. They do respond well to fertilizer and typically it will not hurt the value of the root like it does with ginseng. Plant these 4 to 6 inches apart. Separate as they get larger.