3 Reasons Not to Harvest Rhodiola in the Spring

Why we don’t encourage harvest of Rhodiola in the Spring

It’s early spring and the snows are melting across Alberta Canada.  There is more snow in the forecast, though, and it’s not time yet to take off the winter tires.  The fields are partially uncovered and it’s a good time to go for a walk in your mud boots and check for signs of growth and promise.

In a Rhodiola field which was harvested a few years ago, we can still find a few orphan plants.  Depending on field maintenance, it may take several years to clean up a field after it has been harvested, and the Rhodiola is robust enough to continue growing, despite being uprooted and tossed about by the cultivator. 

At this time of year, the red buds in the Rhodiola crown contrast in color to the browns of the mud and the greys of last year’s perennial grasses and weeds.  The Rhodiola plants are easier now to pick out and we can mine the old fields to help with upcoming research. 

The plants have survived the winter well and the roots are swollen from spring snow melts.  Spring was once considered an ideal time to harvest, but there are several reasons to avoid harvesting Rhodiola rosea at this time of year.

3 Reasons Not to Harvest Rhodiola in the Spring

1. Wasting the Spring Shoots

The bud swell in the Rhodiola crown is a sign of imminent growth.  The gun has already sounded and the plant is taking action to send forth shoots and leaves.  Rhodiola is a survivor of cold climates and one of its mechanisms is to activate growth as soon and as rapidly as possible.  Once Rhodiola starts to send forth its shoots, there is no stopping it.  Even if it’s uprooted and harvested, the growth cycle has begun and the plant will bolt in an effort to make flowers and set seed. 

The plants harvested in early spring will create shoots and these shoots must be removed and thrown away before processing the roots.  There are no known uses for the shoots, and a tea from these tastes terrible, even with lots of cream and sugar. 

2. Decreased Root Yield

As the plant develops shoots and leaves, it takes energy from the roots and crown (rhizome).  A portion of the root mass is converted into shoots, and the roots are reduced in size and especially in density.  A good analogy is the potato that gets lost in the corner of the pantry.  Once it is found it has long white shoots that string out searching for the sun, and the potato is now shriveled and soft.

Our calculations indicate that the loss in root yield from a spring harvest of Rhodiola rosea can be as high as 30%. 

Over the growing season, the rhizomes increase their energy reserves, and the size of the crown enlarges substantially.  In fall the Rhodiola rhizome is at its largest size, unless there is drought, but that’s a topic for another day.

3. Higher Cost for the Customers

The decision comes down to price and the bottom line.  If the growers are requested to harvest in spring, they should be compensated for their loss in yields. 

For these reasons Rhodiola Growers of Canada does not advise growers to harvest their Rhodiola in the spring.  

We look forward to working our fields (not really, it’s a lot of work!), and enjoying the greening of spring over the next few weeks. Digging can wait until the fall.