Can A Half Dead Ginseng Tree Be Saved?

The Ginseng tree, better known as the Ficus Ginseng, is a type of indoor Bonsai tree that is native to China and Korea.

It is incredibly popular for many reasons, the main one being that the root of the tree has been used for centuries within Chinese medicine, and it is still used nowadays for its medicinal properties.

In fact, you might have heard of ginseng root as it can be found all over the world as an efficient remedy against many ailments.

The main use of ginseng is to improve energy levels and mental clarity, and it can be found in many forms, including tea! 

But back to ginseng as a plant. It is a beautiful indoor Bonsai tree that can look good for decorative purposes, as it is not only planted for its roots.

And like all Bonsai trees, it requires the right kind of care for it to thrive. Now, it’s not too maintain Ficus Ginseng, but they can be challenging, and if you don’t provide the right care, they will quickly start to die. 

So what do you do if your Ginseng tree is starting to die? Can you bring it back to full health if it’s already half dead? Can it be saved? 

Well…it depends. Sometimes they’re too far gone to be saved, and you simply won’t be able to revive the tree. But other times, you’re still in time to turn things around and nurse the Ginseng back to health! 

If you want to know what to do in order to save your half dead Gingens tree, then stick around. We will tell you everything you need to know, and hopefully that helps! 

How To Save A Half Dead Ginseng Tree

You won’t always be able to save a half dead Ginseng tree, as sometimes, they are simply too far gone, and you can’t get them back on the right track in time.

However, it is worth giving it a shot, and with luck, you will be able to revive your half dead ginseng so that it can be healthy and thrive once more! 

Here are the steps that we recommend you follow:

Figure Out Why Your Ginseng Tree Is Dying

The first thing you need to do is to observe and analyze your Ginseng tree. What is wrong with it? What symptoms is it showcasing? What parts of it are dying or suffering from damage? 

You know what your plant looks like normally, so note down all of the changes, and this can help you figure out the cause of why it isn’t doing well.

(To help with this, we will go through some of the main symptoms and what they mean, later on in this article).

Prune Any Dead Sections

With the use of sharp and sterile pruning shears, carefully remove all of the areas of the Ginseng that are completely dead and gone.

For example, dead branches, withered leaves, and similar. Basically, all the parts that can’t be saved need to be removed, so that the rest of the plant can be nursed back to health. 

Check The Cambium

In the areas where you have pruned the Ginseng, check the cambium. This is a layer of tissue within the plant, and you should be able to see it after cutting certain bits off. 

If the cambium is green and healthy-looking, then the Ficus Ginseng should be able to recover, no problem.

If it is completely dry, and doesn’t quite look green, then it might be too far gone to be helped (although it’s worth giving it a go nevertheless!) 

It might be that the cambium looks healthy in some areas, and dry in others but this is fine, as long as there is some health there to pull from. 

Prune The Roots

Next, remove the Ficus Ginseng from the pot it is in, and prune the roots. Make sure to carefully cut off any wiltd or dead areas of the root, so that all infected, dead, and damaged bits are removed.

Inspect the roots to make sure that everything that is left is salvageable. 

Place Your Ginseng In Water

Once you have pruned the roots, place the Ginseng tree in a clean glass container full of tepid water. (The water should reach past the root system). This is where the Ginseng will rest while you complete the next step! 

Wash And Re-Soil The Pot

Since you’re starting over in order to bring the tree back to life, you have to completely clean out the pot and fill it with new fresh soil.

Make sure to wash it thoroughly, with detergent and water, until there are no particles left. 

Also, make sure you use the right kind of soil that is recommended for the Ficus Ginseng. We recommend a soil mix with 60% aggregate and 40% organic matter. 

Re-Pot The Ginseng

Once the pot is ready, place the Ginseng tree in it. We recommend lining the drainage holes with wire mesh beforehand and making sure that the tree is centered within the pot, before filling it in with the rest of soil. 

Apply Changes To The Care Routine

Depending on what was causing the Ginseng tree to die, you need to change the care routine to effectively avoid that from happening again, so that this time, your Ginseng thrives and doesn’t half die again. 

Make sure to place it in the right location and to create an appropriate watering and care routine. 

Be Patient

Finally, wait. It might take a long time for your Ginseng bonsai tree to fully regenerate and be at full health again, which can be a bit discouraging.

But as long as you have followed the right steps and you’re providing the right care, the tree should slowly start to look good again. 

How To Find Out What Is Wrong With Your Ginseng Tree

In order to figure out what was causing your Ginseng tree to die, it is important to pay attention to the symptoms and signs. Here are some of the main ones to look out for and what they mean:

Fuzzy Spots On The Laves And Stems

This is usually a sign of mold on the plant, which occurs when the wrong amounts of humidity are present in the room. Make sure to keep your plant moisturized and humid. 

Insects And Eggs

If you find insects, and more importantly, insect eggs, then there is a pest infestation on your Ginseng tree. You will have to use the right pesticide in order to get rid of them or they will ruin the tree completely! 

Yellow, Dry, Or Wilted Leaves

This is usually a sign of overwatering, which causes the Ficus Ginseng to essentially drown. Make sure to change the amount of water you are giving it. 

Discoloration Of Leaves And Stems

This can mean many different things. It could mean that it is not getting enough water or that it is not getting enough nutrients,. This may be an indication that you are using the wrong type of soil. It could also be a sign of a disease. 

Red Spots On The Leaves

Red spots on the leaves mean that your Ginseng tree has spider mites and these need to be removed immediately as they are very dangerous. Use the right pesticide for this. 

Shrunken Branches

This is a sign of malnutrition, meaning that the bonsai tree is lacking in water or that it is unable to extract the right nutrients from the soil. 

Final Thoughts

Not all ginseng trees can be saved if they are already half dead but there is a chance that you might be able to nurse it back to full health if you follow the right steps and it isn’t too far gone. 

You will have to identify the problem and correct the care you provide the plant with. Then you will have to prune and repot the ginseng so that it can start fresh on its path to recovery!