All the other ginseng growing and caring requirements are similar and given below. An established patch of intensive woods cultivated ginseng. A half-acre of ginseng can be worth as much as $100,000 after five or six years. The other two methods are “wild-simulated” and “woods-cultivated.” Plant in rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Growing in the deep woods, it is not naturally a plant of the cultivated field. Woods Grown Ginseng . Ginseng flourishes under a natural canopy (translation: in the woods). Growing your Ginseng the Woods Grown way will require more maintenance and man power. Ginseng likes rowing in the cool woods with 70% to 80% shading. Growing ginseng to 10 years old can even give ginseng an extra hundred dollars a pound especially if you grow … The future for ginseng is in growing this wonderful herb. Most new growers are attracted by the potential profits, as the prices for mature ginseng roots has been climbing steadily in the last few years. Why grow ginseng? 3. Finding a Mature American Ginseng . You can recreate the shady environment and conditions to grow ginseng in a flower pot, or locate the perfect spot in your yard or garden. With the attention on herbal medicine lately, raised beds enable almost anyone to produce medicinal plants and herbs in a small area. That single leaf is the only above-ground growth the first year, and the root is only about 1 inch long and 1/4 inches wide. Growing ginseng in the woods at least 7 to 8 years will give a wild looking root. 2. Growing ginseng at home is not difficult, but requires patience. Ginseng seeds take up to 18 months to germinate and although seeds may be stratified (stored in shallow sand or peat under refrigerated conditions for more than six months) at home, look for stratified seeds sold by reputable dealers. Requirements for Growing Ginseng Soil Woods Grown or Woods Cultivated Ginseng is still grown under the natural shade canapes that Ginseng has enjoyed for thousands of years. Raised beds enable us to grow all sorts of plants and with the addition of some shade woodland plants as well. Edwards, like other ginseng growers, is patient. Successful woods-grown ginseng When ginseng was more plentiful in the woods, this might not have taken so long. Choose pots about 30 – 40 cm in diameter, drilled in the bottom for good drainage. This is what the root buyers want. There are three methods to growing ginseng. The best area is on a hillside in the woods where the plants are shaded from direct sunlight. Woods-grown ginseng more closely resembles wild ginseng and is more valuable than cultivated ginseng (grown in cultivated fields under shade cloth). Place the plant in the middle of the pot and fill with the remaining soil. 1. First-year ginseng seedlings produce only one compound leaf with three leaflets and should always be left to grow. As I write this, prices for quality roots are going for between $300 to $600 per pound. Making Raised Beds for Ginseng and Other Woodland Plants. Hand made raised beds are used, similar to that you would see in Field Cultivated Ginseng. How to Grow Ginseng in a Pot. To grow it in its natural habitat is to remain connected to the forest, for the trees are your allies. Nowadays, plants are scattered far and between and it takes a bit of walking to gather even half a bag. Making a raised bed is realatively easy. That’s why many choose to grow American ginseng on their own property in such a … A ginseng root can grow for 70 to 90 years or more but woods-grown ginseng is harvested after 8 to 12 years of growth; older roots are more valuable. Tamp it well and sprinkle moderately. One is the “artificial shade” method, which is usually too expensive for small growers, as the start-up costs are quite expensive.