Management of First Stage of Cultivation

Introduction

After the success of the Saffron trials, the AVF are excited to announce that they are on a new path of discovery and are running a trial growing ginseng sprouts in the AVF Lab. 

In a series of blogs you can follow the growing process, with the team, providing regular updates and insights from the AVF Lab at all stages.

At the upcoming AVF Summit at VertiFarm held October 8 October 10, 2024, in Dortmund, one of the pillars of the AVF Summit is exploring the evolving landscape of medicinal plant cultivation, including Traditional Chinese Medicine. So, it is exciting that prior to that event the team at AVF will have run their own trials of ginseng sprouts. 

This is the second in a series of blog posts and you can read the first blog titled AVF launches Ginseng Sprout Trials in the AF Lab here.

Importing Ginseng Sprouts

We begin this blog by taking a step back and answering the question – How do you import Ginseng Sprouts? AVF needed to apply to import the ginseng sprout and it had to go through quarantine on arrival to Germany. From the initial application to import to clearing quarantine took approx 3 weeks.

Large quantities of sprouted ginseng can be exported and each country has its own documents and requirements for the plants to clear customs. As Ginseng sprouts are a living organism, you need to decide what will be the best type of storage during transportation. What are the costs and benefits of cold storage transportation? How many days do you expect it to take to clear customs? What time of year is the ginseng sprout being shipped – mid summer or mid-winter? 

You want to minimize defects in the products as a result of transportation. One possible solution is to use dulbe packaging if using cold storage is not economically viable or necessary.

Management of the 1st Stage for Ginseng Sprouts (First 10 days)

In order to successfully cultivate ginseng sprout you need to create the most optimal controlled environment for the seedlings to sprout.

Carefully controlling the levels of humidity and blocking out light are crucial at this stage. This controlled environment will ensure that the healthy seedlings that sprout have the correct texture and can command the highest value as a product.

Key Learning: exclude any unhealthy seedlings

• During the first growth period after putting the seedlings in the hydroponic system you have to keep them completely in the dark at a temperature of 18-20 C.
• When you see the first light green coming out on the top you’re on the right path.
• After about 8-12 days you can see the first 2 leaves developing: now you can add light to the growth area.
• After the first leaves have developed you can add growth stimulants for the roots to kick the growth and strengthen the roots.
• During this whole period you check every day the roots and select and take out roots that rot or show fungus.

Join us on our journey as we post regular updates of the Ginseng Sprout Trials at the AVF Lab!