Chain Saws in Short Supply in Wisconsin!!

I have just returned from a trip over into the Wisconsin ginseng country.   While I was there I had a chance to talk with some of the largest ginseng growers in the world, and one very knowledgeable equipment dealer.  Now, my equipment dealer tells me that he has an abundance of used post hole diggers, and a shortage of chain saws.    The growers that are staying in business are going to the woods, that low end market for ginseng grown under artificial shade just isn't there any more.  They call that type of root poor-man's ginseng, and when the Asian trade was good, the market was there.  The ginseng market is changing rapidly, i.e.:   roots grown under artificial shade produce ginsitis levels of 4 and 5% versus woods grown roots that produce ginsitis levels of 11 to 19%.  The growers aren't entirely out of the business.   They just aren't putting in fresh crops under artificial shade, they are going to the woods.  Over the next three or four years this is going to cause a real shortage of quality ginseng roots, many manufacturers and large end users are going to come up short.  The internet is educating us about the potency of our product and major American manufacturers are going self-regulating.  Rexall Sundowner is leading the way with their new rotating labels on their herbal medicine products and disclosing the active ingredients.  The future has never looked brighter for our woods grown ginseng growers. 

GROWING GINSENG SOUTH OF THE EQUATOR

This is of special interest to numerous inquiries that we have had from Australia and New Zealand.  As you are aware, in that part of the world seeds are in a real short supply and I believe that your current market down there right now is at $525/lb. (AU)  That is about $360 (US)  We here at Glacial Ginseng have found some super seeds that if planted during your winter will be up this spring.  Fall planting would have been a better idea, but if you can get these seeds in the ground right away you will have a crop this spring.  Now these are what they call "sonic bloom" seeds and they are a trifle expensive - $92/lb (US), 10 pound minimum, including shipping, handling, and necessary customs work.  Glacial Ginseng is actively looking for a seed distributor for your part of the world and will even put up a web page for an industrious distributor.  E-mail me for details E-Mail .  

FALL PLANTING - AUGUST 15th through DECEMBER 15th

Plant early, especially the further North you are.  This gives the seeds a chance to become climatically adapted to the environment that they are being planted in.  This also gives the seeds a chance to be absorbing the nutrients from the soil that they are going to be raised in.  When purchasing your seeds, be especially wary of seeds with dried out hulls.  The embryos may be alive, but your germination factor will be greatly reduced.  We here at Glacial Ginseng always ship our seeds blended with sand then wrapped in cheesecloth and put into a plastic storage container.  These seeds can be safely stored in the container they are shipped in for up to three months if kept in a cool place, like your basement.  All you have to do is check them periodically to see if the sand has begun to dry out.  If it has started to dry out, moisten slightly.  Naturally all of our seeds are float tested and decontaminated before shipment.  Quality must be number one.  Our future markets are going to demand it.  Please see our web site for current prices.  www.ginseng-seed.com