Ginseng
Farming in British Columbia
Quickly becoming one of BC's major agricultural endeavors, North American ginseng is one of the more economically viable crops in this province.
The first commercial planting of North American ginseng in BC took place in the fall of 1982 and was harvested four years later. The majority of the farms are located in the southern regions of the province from Creston to Osoyoos into the Okanagan Valley and from Salmon Arm to Cache Creek and the Fraser Valley. At present, one farm exists in the Cariboo.
There are over 130 ginseng farms in BC today, covering a total of 3000 combined acres. Each acre will generate approximately 2500-3000 lb (1136-1364 kg) of ginseng which will sell at a wholesale price of $25-40 per pound ($11.40-18.20 per kg) depending on the quality of the root. For export to Asia, the shape of the root is extremely important and plays a great role in the price the herb will generate. For example, a thin root lacks aesthetic appeal and will be sold for a much lower price than a thick, chunkier root.
North American ginseng is a fleshy rooted, herbaceous perennial plant with five whorled leaves on adult plants. According to ginseng lore this root is good for humans because it looks like us. Its roots closely resemble a little man or deformed parsnip and has a earthy, bittersweet taste. During the summer, small clusters of yellow flowers appear at the top of the stem and the plant's berries will become a brilliant vermillion red in the early fall. This shade loving plant grows naturally in the hardwood forests of eastern North America from southern Ontario to Georgia and west to Wisconsin. This wild species is quickly becoming more and more difficult to find.
There
are two basic types of ginseng grown in the world; North American ginseng,
Panax quinquefolium and the Asian species, Panax ginseng known as either Asian,
Korean or Chinese ginseng. The North American species is said to have a cooling,
energy-boosting, endurance-enhancing effect on the body whereas the Asian
root is known for its warming quality and stimulating effect.
The most common misconception in today's society is that of the facts surrounding the herb known as Siberian ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosis. Although it is given the common name of ginseng, this product is not actually a true ginseng but is merely a part of the Araliaceae family of plants in which true ginseng belongs to as do species such as devils club and sasparilla. Siberian "ginseng" does not possess the chemical ginsenocides that true ginseng does, but has chemicals that have similar effects, therefore proving useful in the herbal medicine society.
It comes as a great surprise to most that ginseng has been used for centuries by the native peoples of North America in ways similar that of our Asian cousins. In the early 1700's, eastern Canada's wild ginseng was exported from Ontario and Quebec to the Orient after a Jesuit priest noticed its similarity to Chinese ginseng. It has been farmed commercially by residents of eastern Canada since the late 1800's.
For over 3000 years this "wonder tonic" has been used by the those of the South East Asian Pacific Rim countries and is considered the single most important herb of traditional medicine. It is believed that the healing properties of this medicinal plant include the reduction of physical and emotional stress, increase of physical stamina, enhancement of blood flow, stimulation of the immune system, protection of the liver from the negative effects of alchohol, drugs and other toxins. It is also said to enhance memory, help in the regulation of blood sugar and cholestrol levels and blood pressure and increase the metabolism as well as the sex drive in men.
Ginseng is sold in a wide array of forms including whole, dried root, root pieces, powdered root and extracts as well as value-added products such as tea, soup, pills and capsules. Consumers should be aware that these value-added products often contain minimal traces of root and often these products are made from tailings, hair root and poor-quality ginseng. To avoid these less-than-satisfactory products, herbalists advise that users first learn to identify the taste of high-quality root and compare it with that of the value-added product.
There are two common misconceptions surrounding the ginseng industry, one of which is that nothing will grow on land that has previously grown ginseng. It is true that farmers will generally not grow ginseng on the same parcel of land. Often Asian buyers believe that if ginseng has been previously grown there, the next crop of the root will not be as potent. The BC government is currently performing studies on small second plantings of ginseng after it has been grown on the same site. However, crops such as alfalfa, oats, corn and garden vegetables grow readily with no ill-effects on land which previously housed ginseng. The other myth in the ginseng field is that farmers use an excessive amount of chemicals on their crops when in reality, they use less than orchardists or potato farmers.
In a commercial setting, North American ginseng is grown by seed and takes four years to become a harvestable size. A number of factors come into play when selecting a site for a ginseng plantation. Most importantly are the slope, soil depth, type and chemistry. Either a slight slope or raised bed is required to ensure soil drainage and at least 30 cm (12 in) of good top soil is required. Different soil types such as sand, silt or clay will greatly affect the quality of the root. Silt or sandy soils produce the best root, whereas soil with a high clay content will hold water and increase the possibility of disease. Rocky or clay-like soil will cause the root to become branched, reducing the quality. A soil analysis is imperative before considering a site.
After this, various additives may be used to mimic the plant's natural microhabitat. Because this plant's natural habitat is under a thick forest canopy, a screen which provides 70% shade must be used as well as a straw mulch which takes place of the natural leaf litter. Other factors which are taken into account are the elevation, water availability and quality and soil organisms resident in the area such as wireworms, cutworms,slugs and nematodes. Susceptibility to fungal diseases, including root rot, leaf and stem blight, damping off and rusty root, are shortcomings of farming ginseng, particularily in high rainfall areas.
After the end of the four year growing period, the ginseng is harvested with a machine resembling a potato harvester. The roots are washed carefully and can be stored in cold rooms or dried immediately. Drying is a critical process and if not done correctly may result in undesirable, discoloured roots. Generally this plant is extremely tolerant and with good management, hard-work, extensive research and planning, it can be a successful and lucrative endeavour.
