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The Case for Cultivating Rhodiola rosea

Cultivated Rhodiola rosea - Alberta, Canada

ARRGO is thankful and grateful for the work of Ann Armbrecht and Terrence Youk who have recently released their video – The Case for Cultivating Rhodiola rosea.  Ann is the Director of the Sustainable Herbs Program of the American Botanical Council.  Interviews by Ann and filming and editing by Terry have accurately told the story of what we do and why we do it.  

The detailed research of Josef Brinckmann regarding the status of wild Rhodiola rosea was released earlier this year.  His paper is cited and reviewed in an earlier ARRGO blog.  In the video Dr. Brinckmann discusses the slow growing nature of Rhodiola rosea and how the plants that are wild harvested have been growing for 20-30 years to reach maturity.  ARRGO works with the slow-growing nature of Rhodiola rosea, and has demonstrated maturity under cultivation at 5 years.  Given time to grow, a circumpolar climate, and limited competition from other plants, the cultivated Rhodiola will yield economic returns after 5 years of diligent crop management efforts.

Since 2007 ARRGO applauds and supports the pioneering and inventive spirit of the members of our growers cooperative.  We have learned enough to make it work, and there is much more to discover, to be amazed by and surprised by, as we continue to work with this amazing adaptogen. 

ARRGO also recognizes that it is essential to share our knowledge with others who are keen to cultivate Rhodiola rosea sustainably.  ARRGO openly collaborates with the Alaska Rhodiola Growers, as well as grassroots efforts in the provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec.  There is room for many as the worldwide demand for Rhodiola rosea increases. 

ARRGO looks forward to working with companies and their customers who demand purity, sustainability and a stable supply chain.  Thank you for supporting the ARRGO Farmers and for making cultivated Rhodiola rosea truly sustainable.

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FairWild Week and wildharvested Rhodiola rosea

Harvesting wild Rhodiola rosea in the Tian Shan Mountains

ARRGO celebrates those who are working hard right now to bring in the wild Rhodiola rosea harvest in an ethical and sustainable manner.  In the province of Xinjiang in northwest China, the wild Rhodiola is dug in June and July.  More than 95% of the world’s supply of Rhodiola rosea comes from the wild.  ARRGO is hoping to make a difference and to make the supply of Rhodiola rosea sustainable through cultivation.  Rhodiola rosea has benefitted so many and we want to ensure the supply for generations to come.  But just as important is the wild supply.  What have we yet to discover about this diverse species?  And what will we lose if the wild species is lost?

Here is an article recently revised and published by the American Botanical Council’s Sustainable Herbs Program about the wild harvest of Rhodiola rosea in China.  In China, the wild harvest takes place in the Xinjian Uighur Autonomous Region, which lies in the northwest of the country where Rhodiola rosea grows on the steep slopes of the Tian Shan mountain chain.  Wild Rhodiola rosea is also collected in parts of Mongolia and Russia.

Next week, June 21-25, 2021 is FairWild Week.   This series of webinars is sponsored by the FairWild Foundation.  It is a great way to learn more about the state of wildharvesting and how it affects everyone.

Regarding wildharvesting, the FairWild Foundation says this:

One key issue is that, as consumers, we often have absolutely no idea we’re consuming wild plants. And if we do, many companies, whether purposefully or not, make it very difficult to find out where these ingredients came from and whether they were collected sustainably and ethically.

Based on IUCN Red List criteria, one in 10 of the 19% of plant species used for medicinal and aromatic properties that have been assessed are threatened with extinction in the wild. Unsustainable use and overexploitation are key threats to the world’s wild plants, and figures show that global trade in wild plant ingredients is increasing with the value of trade tripling in recent years.

It’s not only consumers who rely on wild plant ingredients however; millions of people the world over depend on them for their primary source of income. In Europe, 26% of households collect non-wood forest products (NWFPs), with global production of NWFPs valued at USD88billion per year.

ARRGO sincerely appreciates our customers and our growers that have made the choice and support cultivation of Rhodiola rosea.  We applaud all efforts to keep the wild sources of Rhodiola in tact.  Let’s work together to allow this amazing and invaluable medicinal herb to continue to benefit many in the years to come.

Organic cultivated Rhodiola rosea
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Organic vs. Conventional Growing for Rhodiola

Organic vs. Conventional Growing for Rhodiola

What’s the difference between organic and conventional growing methods for Rhodiola rosea?

In short – pesticides and fertilizers.  All inputs for organic farming must be from approved organic sources.  From mulches to potting soil – it all has to be organic. 

I have been working in a lovely organic field this spring, and the size of the Rhodiola is amazing.  The rows of blooming Rhodiola are speckled with blooming dandelions and a variety of weeds, not to mention a few trees.  The field looks healthy and is a vibrant community of diversity.

Weeds like organic farming, too, and that can be challenging, especially for a five-year crop like Rhodiola.  Methods for weeding include cultivation, flaming, mulching and dropping down on your hands and knees with a trusty digger.  I personally thought alpacas would work.  They seemed to prefer dandelions over Rhodiola, but now they nibble the Rhodiola stems and leaves and some of the crown, too!  We keep looking for better ways to control weeds.  Maybe robotic weeders will someday save my back!

For conventional Rhodiola rosea, the inputs are limited, too.  There are no herbicides currently registered for Rhodiola rosea.  That means the conventional farmers are limited to spraying in the paths between the rows.  Over the next few months, though, these limitations will change.  With the introduction of approved herbicides, it is hoped that the conventional Rhodiola rosea will produce higher yields in shorter time.  One other key component is in processing.  Processing rates are higher when there are fewer weeds to remove.

Other than removal of herbicides from our diet, are there other advantages for organic Rhodiola rosea?  Possibly.  ARRGO has noted over the last two years that the beneficial compounds in organic Rhodiola are relatively higher or more concentrated than those in conventional Rhodiola.  Why?  Possibly since the organic Rhodiola has to compete with invasive weeds, its defense mechanism may be to increase its levels of rosavins and salidroside.  Our customers who buy organic like to see weeds in our fields for this reason!  Whew!  That means we don’t have to be so embarrassed by our plant menageries, until the county weed inspector gives us a call!

 
Organic Rhodiola rosea growing in rows – Alberta, Canada
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Spring Harvest is underway!

Spring Harvest is underway!

The harvest has started and the farmers are delivering their Rhodiola rosea to the ARRGO Processing Facility in Thorsby, Alberta.  Six years or more of hard work culminates in many trips to Thorsby with the flatbed trailer.  Thanks, Brett and Micha.  Your roots look amazing! 

Each net bag holds 600-800 lbs of roots, tops and dirt.  Most of the plants are dug with a potato digger and then manually picked up one at a time and cleaned before placing in the bag.  Depending on the size of the plant, there will be 300-500 plants in a bag.  Brett and Micha are hoping to bring in 60,000 plants this spring.  That’s 120 bags or more of bending, picking and cleaning!

A closer look at the plants shows lots of spring growth.  The plants have bolted and are blooming.  To make processing easier, the farmers are asked to mow their fields before the plants are dug.  Rhodiola makes a crown or dome above ground, so a real close shave with the mower deck is not recommended.  The rest of the shoots will have to be removed by the processing crew.

Brett and Micha’s roots were tested before harvest, and their results were excellent.  Rosavins and salidroside are all in the highest range.  There are markets waiting for their harvest.  A spring harvest to be proud of.  Thanks to all the ARRGO growers for the all the work! 

Rhodiola rosea - spring harvest fresh from the field