Alchimiaweb.com presents Rocalba Ginseng Seeds, a medicinal plant widely used in Asia. It adapts well to cultivation in open ground as well as in a pot.
Rocalba ginseng, widely used in traditional Chinese medicine
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Araliaceae family. It is native to China and Korea and is highly appreciated for its stimulating effect which boosts memory, stabilises blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, reduces stress, has anti-cancer properties and helps the liver cleanse.
This plant reaches a height of about one meter at most, with a strong main stem and some branches. It produces five-lobed rounded-looking leaves and purple or bright red umbel flowers.
The seeds can be germinated either in a small pot or directly in open ground. They should be buried less than 1cm deep using a substrate rich in worm humus and with good drainage. The plants can take between 1 to 18 months to emerge, so we should be patient and provide the best conditions.
Rocalba ginseng, requires a shady place and good substrate
It should be placed in a place with 75-80% shade with little direct sunlight, clean of weeds and with a good padding layer to protect the roots from sun and drought, helping to retain moisture.
Ginseng needs no fertilisers, but it should be prevented from the appearance of pests and diseases. Since it needs 5 years to mature, it is important not to slow down the process with biological interferences, so the use of organic phytosanitary products is recommended.
The root is harvested in autumn, removing the plant from the substrate with great care. A shovel is stuck about 15cm from the stem in case the plant is grown in the ground. Then the root is washed with cold water and without rubbing, so as not to break the secondary roots. Then let it dry on a wooden surface in a cool, well-ventilated room.
Rocalba Ginseng info:
- Sachet: 4 seeds
- Sowing: Spring
- Sprouts within 1-18 months
- Herbaceous plants up to 0.5-1m
- Resistant yet slow development
- Perennial plant, loses its leaves in autumn
- Requires a rich substrate with good drainage
- Requires 75-80% shade
- Root matures at 5 years
- It provides stimulating and invigorating effects among others
