Growing Ginseng

I picked up a bag of about 5 small north ameircan ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) roots yesterday, they had started to sprout and I got the bag for $3 so I figured I'd try to grow them. I don't know much about growing ginseng though... I know that it likes a LOT of shade and the roots grow horizontally, but that's about it. Anyone have any advice for me?

Here's one of the roots:

 

Hi Megami,

Check out this site from Penn State - I don't think anyone could give you a more comprehensive answer than that:

Growing Ginseng

 

I've had a ginseng plant (Panax) growing in dry, dry shade for three years. It has not multiplied, or grown much in height, but has withstood a year of drought and two of abundant rain. It is planted at the top of a sloping bed surrounded by Podophyllum, hosta and hepatica in a USDA Zone 6B garden. Hope that helps.

 

Thanks Daniel and Suzy! Very useful information. :)

 

Would be interested to know your source of the ginseng roots. Thanks.
Belinda

 

Can we find the Ginseng in Botanical Garden?

 

UBC doesn't have ginseng, no.

 

My ginseng was growing... until a squirrel dug it up and chewed the root up :(