Stratification of American Ginseng Seeds—Problems and Solutions

Abstract

Germination of American ginseng was 80% after treating moist seeds 3.5 mo at 15 °C (59 °F) followed by 9 mo at 1 to 2 °C (34 to 36 °F) in the laboratory. The warm treatment promoted the embryo to grow to a mature size while the cold treatment broke endogenous dormancy. Controlled stratification of seeds in the laboratory avoids many of the problems associated with the traditional method of stratifying seeds outdoors in sand beds.