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Ginseng à cinq folioles - Panax quinquefolius
Ginseng à cinq folioles - Panax quinquefolius
Ginseng à cinq folioles - Panax quinquefolius
Ginseng à cinq folioles - Panax quinquefolius
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Stratified seeds - American ginseng

Panax quinquefolius

$5.00
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Categories: Native, Threatened, Medicinal, Nectar-rich, Woodland, Perennial

Native range: ON, QC

For successful seedlings,
see the growing notes at the bottom of the page!

Rooted in the humid, humus-rich undergrowth of eastern North America, American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a slow-growing perennial plant valued for its fleshy roots and medicinal properties. With its foliage composed of five leaflets and small pale green flowers that transform into red berries in late summer, this plant serves as an ecological health indicator for forests. Adapted to shaded environments, it is particularly vulnerable to disturbances, earning it protected status in Quebec.

Protection Status
Classified as a threatened species in Quebec and listed as an endangered species in Canada, American ginseng is protected by strict laws to prevent overexploitation. Its wild harvesting and trade are prohibited, which is why our seeds come from cultivated plants and never from wild collection.

Medicinal and Culinary Uses
Highly valued in traditional medicine for its potential benefits, this plant is known for boosting energy, strengthening the immune system, and improving concentration. However, wild harvesting remains restricted to protect this fragile species.

Ecological Roles
Despite its modest role in interactions with pollinators, American ginseng makes an essential contribution to forest biodiversity. Its berries attract certain birds and small mammals that aid in seed dispersal, and its presence signifies a stable and healthy forest ecosystem.

 

Upon receipt, it is important to place the packet containing seeds in the refrigerator until sowing.

Akène cannot assume any responsibility for the use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Always seek advice from a professional before using a medicinal or edible plant.

Growing Notes | Stratified seeds - American ginseng

Upon receipt, it is important to place the envelope containing the ginseng seeds in the refrigerator.

American ginseng grows in shade and part shade, and prefers humus-rich, well-drained soil.

The American ginseng seeds offered by Akène are sold in a sealed bag containing moistened vermiculite. They have already completed stratification. They can be sown as soon as they are received, either outdoors in the fall, indoors over the winter, or outdoors in the spring.

Fall Sowing
The seeds are ready to be sown outdoors, directly in the ground or in pots, in late fall. Sow them just before the first frost and snowfall. Be careful not to sow too early, to avoid the seeds germinating before the start of winter.

Winter or Spring Sowing
The seeds are ready to be started indoors over the winter. You can also start them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed in your region, keeping the bag in the refrigerator until you are ready to sow. Check the seeds in your refrigerator from time to time to make sure they have not started to germinate.

Sow the seeds about 10 mm deep in a well-drained substrate. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Germination Specifics
Even after complete stratification, some seeds may not germinate until the second year. If no seedlings emerge during the first spring, do not be discouraged! If you started the seeds in containers, it is best to transplant them to the ground and allow nature to take its course, in case germination occurs the following spring.

Transplanting and Establishment
American ginseng seedlings are delicate and require careful handling. When their first true leaves appear, transplant them with caution, or plant them directly in the ground in a shaded location, in humus-rich, well-drained soil.

Maintenance
Once established, American ginseng requires minimal care. Apply a mulch made of dead leaves or organic matter to retain soil moisture and enrich the soil. Avoid using fertilizers or disturbing the roots, as American ginseng is sensitive to disruptions. Note that this species is protected in Quebec, so if cultivated, it is essential to respect its habitat and avoid disturbing its development.

Seeds per packet: 50

Family: Araliaceae

Scientific name: Panax quinquefolius

Life cycle: Perennial

Hardiness zone: 4

Soil type: Loamy to clayey

Soil moisture level: Medium to humid

Soil - additional attributes: Well-drained. Rich.

Drought tolerance: Low

Light: Part shade, shade

Blooming: June to July

Spacing: 25 cm

Height: 60 cm

Deer resistance: Low

Stratification: Pre-stratified

Scarification: No

Germination time: Variable

Sowing depth: 10 mm

Reproductive system: Hermaphrodite