Ginseng Seed & Supplies Australia Pty Ltd. Importers of Korean Ginseng seeds, ginseng farming and processing equipment. The therapeutic value and popularity of ginseng is well documented. For thousands of years it has been used as a tonic for maintaining good health, alertness and stamina. Eastern health philosophy places emphasis on balance. Ginseng helps with this regime. As a consequence, those aware of ginseng’s health benefits, are prepared to pay well for quality product. Commercial growing of ginseng is challenging. Obtaining seeds for sowing, knowledge and equipment can be difficult and quite often prevents would be growers from making a start in a potentially lucrative business. Ginseng Seed & Supplies Australia (GSSA) is committed to providing a service that can deliver seed, equipment and practical advice to support you with your purchase. Our seed stock is of the Korean Ginseng variety (Panax Ginseng). When grown under favourable conditions, good quality Panax Ginseng is well regarded for having large quantities of saponins, the active ingredient of ginseng. The equipment shown on our website is that used by South Korean Ginseng farmers and the ginseng industry. The South Koreans are respected as leaders in the production of fresh root and value added products such as Red Ginseng, dried root, dried root powder, ginseng extract, ginseng food products and teas.

Complimentary Stratification & Growing Guide pdf.

We understand that you need to be informed and prepared. The guide will take some of the mystery away and give simple, practical advice. Please study more about growing ginseng. As with any project of this nature, there are always variables to consider.

Ensuring Quality Seeds

Our Fresh Panax Ginseng (Korean Ginseng) seed is imported from South Korea.To maintain high standards and ensure swift quarantine processing, the seed is graded at 4mm and above seed size. It is then prepared to AQIS specifications of purity and cleanliness. A phytosanitary certificate is issued in Seoul . An independent seed test is performed in Australia when necessary

A seed sample can be arranged when ordering 25kg or above.

Prices and availability vary.

About Ginseng seed

Ginseng Seed Availability
It is necessary to pre order your ginseng seed for quantities above 5 kg to ensure availability.

Ginseng seed can be purchased unstratified or stratified. There may be factors restricting the shipment of stratified seeds depending on your location, the length of time during delivery and the planned date of sowing. This will be discussed as part of the order process.

Fresh unstratified Panax Ginseng (Korean Ginseng) seed is generally available by August.

Fresh unstratified Panax Quinqefolius ( American Ginseng( seed is generally available by October / November.

Fresh unstratified ginseng seed is more resilient than stratified ginseng seed. It is less susceptible to the physical conditions of shipping.
Stratified ginseng seed from the unstratified batch is generally available in Australia in June of the following year.

Stratified ginseng seed exported directly from Korea is available in October / November. This seed is available in quantities 60 kg. and above.

Ginseng Seed Stratification
About three years into the plants maturity, seedpods can form. The ginseng seed requires a warm period of 100 days 16ºC to stratify. A further cold period of 100 days at 2ºC – 4ºC , will break the stratified seed dormancy. A further warm period (spring time) will cause the seeds to germinate.

Ginseng stratification process (Australian season)
The process of stratification is necessary for your seeds to
germinate. Little is understood of how this occurs.

Stratification is a three phase process.
The warm cycle after seed harvest (clean seed) 3 months at 15- 20ºC (develops the embryo).

The cold cycle (0-5ºC range is OK) 4ºC recommended triggers the germination mechanism. (approx. 100 days)

A warm period 15-20ºC following will start the germination.

Some seeds may wait until the following year to germinate!
Your seeds should be mixed with river sand 1:3 (seed:sand) and stored at 4ºC , 10% moisture. Pebbles in an onion bag keep the top seeds from drying when covering the seed sand mix. Plastic buckets in the refrigerator work well.

Small amounts of seed can be mixed with sand and placed in a
cup with pebbles on top. This prevents quick drying of the
mixture. A piece of fly netting works well to separate the pebbles
from the sand mix but allows the mix to breath.

Your seeds have been imported from South Korea where the
seasons are out of synchronization with our own in Australia.
Some seeds may not germinate in the first year. Be patient and
keep the conditions well for them. Although the seeds should not
be wet, they should be kept moist at all times. The storage /
stratification process helps to do this.

Timing for Stratification

This is a guide only. Germination can occur outside of this process. Living things are not always predictable. Store fresh unstratified seeds 2-3ºC (Slowly cool over 12hrs is more desirable) until the end of March. 10%-15% moisture is desirable.
Mixed with clean, course river sand to separate them from each other and prevent drying out. Regularly check on the seeds.
Turn over a few times a week to reduce the risk of mould.
Then slowly warm to 15ºC.
Warm stratify period: (15ºC) April – June.
(Plant over winter to break dormancy) or
Cold stratify: (4ºC) July- to the end of September.
Warm slowly: (10-15ºC) Seeds should germinate soon when the soil warms.
The seeds show signs of successful stratification by ‘Grinning’.
The seedpod splits and looks as though it is smiling.
Try to be ready for planting before the seeds germinate as they can be easily damaged at this stage.

Alternatively, order your seeds stratified ready for the cold period (winter planting).

Unstratified ginseng seed.

Stratified ginseng seed - 'Grinning'

Ginseng Seed Quality
Ginseng seeds keep well if they are allowed to breath, are kept from sunlight, extreme temperatures and humidity.

Some ginseng seeds may become unviable through the stratification cycle.

By submersing fresh unstratified or stratified seed in water, the viability of the ginseng seed can be tested. Floating ginseng seeds are to be discarded.

Stratified ginseng seed is more susceptible to the conditions of shipping. Condensation and warm temperatures can cause mould / fungus or increase the chances of germination in transit.

This method does not hold true with unstratified ginseng seeds, which have been left to dry. Drying imported unstratified ginseng seeds is a method used to make them dormant and delay the stratification process to make adjustments to seasonal differences between countries.

Please contact us if you have any ginseng questions. We are happy to help you with your ginseng project.