Panax quinquefolius

Description:
Ginseng translates to 'Man-Root' aptly named after the human like shape of mature roots, non the less this North American perennial is a valueable ages old medicinal herb used by many cultures. Mature plants bear up to three large palmate leaves evenly divided from a single main stem. A white flower umbel is nessled between the leaf stems. Red berries follow in the Autumn. Can make large colonies.

Notes:
Normally, ginseng needs 18 months of cold moist stratification before it will germinate BUT the work and waiting are already done. The seed coat on freshly collected seed is tightly closed, but as the maturing embryo swells during the stratifiction process it splits the seed coat exposing itself to the environment and is ready to germinate. This is a critical time where heat and dry conditions can be lethal...I just want to stress this explaination to increase one's growing success. If leaf bud breaks from the neck of the root crown, the root will generate one or multiple leaf buds.

Cultivation:
Beautiful stratified seed ready to germinate. Sow immediately. Never ever let this seed dry out. If you cannot sow immediately, place seed in moistened peat in ziplock bag and store in the fridge and check often. Sow 2 cm deep in a humus enriched soil with mineral fertilizers. Don't let stratified seed freeze. Transplants well. Can be grown in one gallon pots up to 3 plants for the first couple of years before planting out to a permanent bed. Use the same growing conditions you would use for roses, peonies, and Japanese maples...that is deep, fertile, and loamy. Protect from slugs, rodents and wandering neighbours. Roots don't attain quality medicinal grade until at least 5-7 years old....well worth the wait considering that you've been saving your own seed and expanding your patch since they first bloomed at 3-4 years old. Plants get bigger with age. Very long lived perennial (100 years).