Wild Simulated Ginseng Growing in Maine (Hancock, Washington: inspectors, dangerous, agriculture)

[carlheizer]

So forestbeekeeper, tell us about the wild simulated ginseng progress. We have acreage in Northern Maine and have just started investigating it. Thanks.

[carlheizer]

Has anyone tried this and how is it going? I know it a long term - 7-10 years project but we are just starting our research. Would be interested in hearing experiences. Thanks.

[elston]

I never heard of wild simulated ginsing and I can't help but wonder if it simulates ginsing or simulates, wild grown. I think I will go and google and see what I find.

[elston]

I am just back from a quick perusal of Google. There is a lot about it and it is being grown in Maine. The Department of Agriculture defines it thusly:

[SIZE=3]D."Wild simulated ginseng" means cultivated ginseng grown in a wooded site where wild ginseng is not established."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Let's hope that it isnt an invasive species that will take over and threaten native plants! [/SIZE]

[Maine Writer]

I think I'm going to look into this over the winter. I have a lot of unused land. First thing I'd have to learn is what it looks like! I don't think I've ever seen ginseng.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by kartheiser

So forestbeekeeper, tell us about the wild simulated ginseng progress. We have acreage in Northern Maine and have just started investigating it. Thanks.

All of the East coast has a market for Ginseng. With folks hunting for it in forested areas, and selling it via health food stores.

Maine appears to be the only state where ginseng is 'protected'. So the harvesting of 'wild' ginseng is illegal in Maine.

You have to contact the state, and have a 'plant ID' specialist come out to your property and inspect your land. Once they have inspected your land to ensure that no wild ginseng is growing on it, then they may certify you to begin growing ginseng. Then later when you desire to harvest, those inspectors will wish to come out and inspect your harvesting methods to ensure that you are only harvesting the farmed ginseng and no 'wild' ginseng.

I have contacted the state plant ID lady and I was told that no 'wild' ginseng grows anywhere in Penobscot county, though I would still need to contact yet another office to arrange the process of having the various inspectors come out to inspect and approve my site.

In my ignorance, I had already planted some ginseng seed. However it takes multiple years for ginseng seed to germinate. A minimum of two years. This will be the second winter dormant cycle for these seeds, hopefully they may begin sprouting next spring. And then of course it takes a minimum of five years of growth for any of them to get up to the smallest size to allow harvesting.

What county were you thinking of doing this in?

[Northern Maine Land Man]

I saw mile after mile of ginseng growing in British Colombia. It is very popular in Asia. It does grow in shade. The area in British Colombia where it was growing sees no snow in most winters.

[boonelsewhere]

Ginseng Farm Tour One

good site, if you want to see what ginseng look like.

I planted about 15,000 seeds in Apr 2006 in central Virginia, have not seen any young seedling yet.

I will plant some in Hancock county ME, when i am settled there.

[elston]

I have heard that the National Forest service has a big problem with "poachers" on federal land harvesting ginsing. I guess it is as dangerous a crop and the pot cultivators in the National Parks. The simulated wild might help cut that illegal demand.

[carlheizer]

Washington County but not until next year perhaps. Did you use stratified seed? If so, should't it have germinated last summer?