Frost Damage on Ginseng

Signs of frost damage in a 2-year garden

Frost damage in ginseng can take several forms. Severe damage in older gardens can result in blackened leaves and stems and bent plants. This year damage has been most severe in 2-year gardens. The plant on the left is exhibiting typical frost damage symptoms: toppled leaves; sharp bend in the stem about 2-3 cm (1 inch) above thre straw surface; no visible lesion.

A close look at damage to ginseng stems will reveal an area of collapsed tissue. When stem tissue is damaged by frost there will not be a defined lesion as there would be with Alternaria, which also attacks young stems above the straw mulch. The plant on the left is showing fresh frost damage. This will progress until the top is completely wilted. Unlike frozen leaf tissue, these tops will probably not turn black.

Severly damaged stem tissue in a 2-year garden. Note the extended area of puckered stem tissue. No nutrients or water will move through this stem. Foliar nutrients will not assist this plant in recovering from this damage. Stem damage this severe will result in the death of above ground portions of the plant.

Tiny bud "initial" on a 2 year root - check the faint square at the base of the old bud bracts. The crucial question is whether this tiny bud will receive enough nourishment from the root alone to develop into a bud large enough to support next year's shoot. Something to watch for as the season progresses.

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