Ginseng is a common traditional Chinese medicine in rural areas, also known as false ginseng. In fact, it is the root of the plant Lepidium latifolium in the family Amaranthaceae. Many people dry the leaves of false ginseng and make tea with them. So how is false ginseng cultivated?
After false ginseng matures, its roots can be used to make soup, and its tender leaves can be stir-fried, steamed, and used in various dishes. The taste is smooth and delicious, especially suitable for women who have just given birth. It is both a "wild vegetable" and a "ginseng".
Ginseng is a warm-season vegetable that prefers warm and humid climates. It is tolerant to high temperatures and humidity but cannot withstand cold. It is a perennial plant in tropical regions but cannot overwinter in open fields in northern China. It can be grown in greenhouses for year-round production, but the growth is poor in winter due to low temperatures.
Ginseng is a C4 plant with a high capacity for accumulating dry matter. Although it is a light-loving plant, it can grow well and have better quality under shaded conditions. Ginseng is a mesophyte and is easy to flower and fruit.
However, some strains are sensitive to daylight. Under short daylight conditions, the plants flower early and stay short. In cultivation, timely harvesting or removal of flower spikes promotes nutrient growth and increases yield.
After the stem of ginseng is cut off, it easily forms adventitious roots, making it easy to propagate by cuttings. Under suitable conditions, the cuttings can take root and be transplanted within 15-20 days.
The main root of ginseng is thick, fleshy, and brownish, which is the medicinal part. The stem is erect and has strong branching ability, with side branches growing from each leaf axil. Therefore, ginseng can be harvested continuously, resulting in high yield.
False ginseng seeds are small and shiny black, weighing 0.25-0.3 grams per thousand seeds. Seeds are also good propagation materials. Ginseng has strong resistance and can tolerate poor soil, but cultivation in sandy loam soil rich in organic matter can achieve high yield and quality.
