Buying ginseng seeds for planting
The easiest and least expensive way to start growing a ginseng crop is to plant stratified ginseng seeds. Most suppliers only sell seeds that have been stratified, but it's always a good idea to ask before placing your order.
Ginseng seeds are stratified by storing them for one year in a buried container holding several alternating layers of damp sand and seeds.
Stratification
allows the seeds to go through the natural process of preparing
for germination in a protected environment.When ginseng plants reach 3-5 years of age, they begin to produce pods of green berries with each berry containing 2-3 seeds. In the fall the berries turn red (see photo at right) and fall to the ground a few days later, helping "re-seed" the forest floor to keep the ginseng population alive.
Many of the berries will be eaten by rodents and other animals before they have a chance to get covered up with leaves where they will be
partially protected, and even the ones that get
covered over are still subject to being eaten by rodents and
dying from disease.All in all, since it takes 2 years for ginseng seeds to germinate, just a fraction of the ones produced in the wild survive long enough to germinate and develop into a ginseng plant.
By purchasing only stratified seeds (see photo at right), you will be planting seeds which will come up the following spring, greatly reducing the amount of time they will be vulnerable to animals and disease.
When your seeds arrive, be sure to check them to ensure that they are firm and in good shape. If not, send them back and ask for replacements or a refund. You can expect to receive anywhere from 7,000 - 8,000 stratified ginseng seeds for every pound ordered.