Hi Shell,
I sent you an email about some stuff on it and here is some stuff I would like to share about it. First, let me say that there are many folks who know more than me but I would like to share this. OK, first go on youtube and on the internet and learn everything you can. It is common looking, nothing fancy about it so it doesn't stand out. I would be happy to show you and your wife if ever we could meet up. Yes, it is very important to dig the entire root because buyers from asia believe in mystical things about all its parts and pay a LOT more money for whole roots, even the fibers below the legs of the root. You can only dig from Sept 1 to March 15 in Missouri I think but MDC has the rules on it. And sell from Sept. 15 to March 15 I think. It is ILLEGAL to hunt on all of Mark Twain I think. And an enormous fine if they catch you.
Shell, our hills with their hardwood forests produce some excellent Seng and very potent. I had no idea how much they are paying us for it.
OK, never take it before the berries turn red around the end of August thru Sept. or it can't ever grow back. When you find it, never take a plant that is too young or little with less than 3 prongs in MO, I think 4 prongs in some states. When you find one with red berries, just gently mash the berry and replant the seeds right around your plant. I go about a foot or so and an inch or two. Never ever take the whole patch. We used to take one third and then many more will come up and you can hunt the patch about every year or two. I hope everyone reading this will please only harvest it in a sustainable way or someday we will not any seng any more. It's happened in a lot of states. The hunters greed for the money and no care for the plant has made it nearly extinct in places.
Never take pictures of your plants with cell phones or fancy new cameras and publish them on the internet because they have gps tracking and someone will come and get your roots. I would bank on it. Check the laws but I am not sure if MO requires a permit to hunt on public land. My hunting will be on private so it doesn't require a permit.
China is absolutely crazy for our wild ginseng since they have hunted theirs to near extinction and my mouth fell open when I saw what they are willing to do to get it.
It really is easy to find, easier than morels in my opinion and your country and all the counties around us are prime for some of the best seng out there. You should start now finding the plants, you and your wife, and learning everything you can Shell, then when the fall comes I gaurentee you guys will be on it!
We are having a dinner and a cemetery meeting after church today and when I get home this evening I will try to send you some info I like by the email message. Kindest regards...
