Growing Rhodiola around the world – Yukon, Canada
Contact information: Lauren Blackburn, Wilderland Botanicals, lauren@wilderlandbotanicals.com
Website: www.wilderlandbotanicals.com
Location: Rhodiola rosea was grown near Keno, Yukon for 15 years (5 hrs north of Whitehorse, Yukon). Site location was terraced hillside with silty rocky soil. Elevation 3500m asl.
Newest site is 30 minutes southwest of Whitehorse in gently rolling hills with sandy loam soil.
Both sites grow excellent Rhodiola rosea.
Rhodiola rosea does not grow naturally in either area.
Rhodiola rosea is processed into tincture as one of the products offered by Wilderland Botanicals.
Number of years growing: 15 years at Keno, and 1 year in new farm southwest of Whitehorse.
Soil types: Young soils, some glacial influence, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
Soils are variable, and cultivation of Rhodiola rosea is successful in a variety of soils. Most soils have average to good drainage. Most soils are low in Nitrogen and average to good in Phosphorus and Potassium.
pH: average 6, and can be slightly higher or lower
Climate and Typical growing season:
Temperature averages winter –
Temperature averages summer –
Period of active growing for Rhodiola – early June to mid-August
Last frost in spring – late May or early June
First frost in fall – late August
Latitude: 63.9 degrees N at Keno and 60.72 degrees N in new planting area southwest of Whitehorse.
Snowfall – average 3 ft or more during winter months.
Rainfall – variable from year to year; generally dry
Unique attributes to note for growing Rhodiola rosea in the Yukon – Long daylight hours (24 hours) and hot temperatures in summer months provide excellent growing conditions for Rhodiola rosea. Yields are very good with estimated average root size of 4-10 kgs after 5 years in field conditions.
How is Rhodiola propagated? – combination of seeding and bud cuttings. Cuttings are done in the fall at the same time as harvest. Cuttings are set into trays filled with organic media and left overwinter. Seed is added to cuttings in the trays, in case bud cutting does not root. Success rate for cuttings is 90% or better.
When is the Rhodiola planted into the field? – first full moon of late May or early June
When is seed collected? – Late August or early September
In what months is Rhodiola harvested? Late August and early September, after the Blood Moon. Rhodiola is destructively harvested after growing for 5 years or more in the field.
Field layout – flat linear beds mulched with antiweed matting/landscape fabric. Fields are transplanted by hand. Beds are maintained through the regenerative method of alley cropping. Once the crop is harvested, the next crop will be planted in the areas which were green tilled.
Treatment between rows – native growth between rows is knocked down and rolled (green tilling).
Crop maintenance – Hand weeding between plants is kept to a minimum. Some weeds are allowed to grow once the Rhodiola is established.
Crop inputs – Mycellium for improved microbial growth, carbon in the form of biochar and aged manure.
Nuisance weeds – horsetails and willows