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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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Time to Transplant

Time to Transplant

It’s cloudy, cold and damp outside and the weather is perfect for transplanting.  While most Albertans gather inside and wait for warmer spring days, this Rhodiola farmer is busy moving seedlings from their nursery to the field.  The plants are small enough that it’s easy to scoop them out of the loose dirt in the nursery and crowd them into trays for the short drive out to the field.   Then we load them onto the shelves on the transplanter, and plant them one-by-one as we ride behind the tractor.  The furrows open up and fill with water, and the plants are firmly seated into the muddy furrow.

There are as many ways to plant Rhodiola as there are Rhodiola farmers.  Some plant into raised beds, some plant into holes punched into plastic mulch.  Most Rhodiola is planted in rows and the spacing between rows is dictated by some part of the tractor, often the width of the wheel base. 

Like so many things, the actual transplanting is the last action after much planning and preparation.  The field is worked up and there are no weeds, at least none growing for now.  How will the rows be laid out?  How will the next five years of weeds be contained?  And who’s driving the tractor, because I’m going to plant Rhodiola!

How to avoid transplant shock?  Keep the plants cool and under the clouds for a few days as they get used to their new home in the field.  A gentle rain would make the move to their new home just perfect.  In this case though, the rains are due to hold off for another three days, so we’ll water these seedlings in as they are placed in the ground.

End of the day and we’re cold and damp and muddy.  Ideal conditions for Rhodiola, but I’m ready for a shower and a warm cup of Rhodiola tea!

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Checking the Rhodiola seedlings

Rhodiola seedlings 18 months

Springtime at last! – Time to check the seedlings.

It’s springtime and the Rhodiola rosea is waking up.  Time to take inventory in the nursery and see which plants are large enough to withstand transplanting into the field.

Some seedlings are planted in cells with potting soil for easier transplanting.  These seedlings germinated 18 months ago in waist-high tables filled with dirt and aged organic matter from the barns.  Overhead shade cloth and sprinklers ensure perfect growing conditions for their first 18 months.

You can see from the picture that some of the plants are sporting their first flower buds.  As one of the survival traits, Rhodiola rosea grows and sets flowers quickly after the soil thaws.  A plus for local bees and insects after a long winter.  These plants need to move out quickly, though, so that they don’t cross with new select strains that also reside in the nursery.

Taking stock in the nursery, there are other seedlings that are slower to mature.  What’s the difference?   Water, sun and dirt are the same, but there are different strains of Rhodiola rosea.  A strain is simply a group of the same species of plants that has been set apart and identified by differences in growth, plant/leaf shape or yield.  Wild Rhodiola rosea from different parts of the world exhibit significant differences in many aspects. 

In Alberta, the ARRGO growers are trying several different strains to see which will grow the best and yield the most root mass and beneficial compounds for people and animals.  Even different parts of Alberta will require different strains for best results, and some parts of Alberta do not produce good results at all.

Below is a picture of another seedling from a different strain.  This strain originates from a different part of the world.  Germination is sporadic, and It may be slower to grow than the strain shown above, but it is high in beneficial compounds.  Given the right environment both strains grow well in Alberta. 

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Rhodiola rosea – what’s in a name?

The Latin term – Rhodiola rosea, or R rosea L. – refers to the genus and species for this amazing adaptogen.  Rhodiola is the genus for 26 to 200+ different species.  The number of plants depends on whether or not the author assigns Sedums into the genus. The term Rhodiola usually refers to thick-leaved succulents which grow in high altitudes in cold circum-polar regions.  

 

The species name – rosea – refers to the ‘rose-like’ smell of the root.  Compared to a tea rose, there is no comparison, but the odor is unique, somewhat sweet and spicy, although some would consider it strong and heady.

 

Rhodiola comes from the Greek word ‘Rhodon’, which means rose.  Combined with the species term, rosea, this plant could be called Rose rose!?! 

 

The plant has been given many familiar names, such as orpine rose, golden root, roseroot, alpine rose, Aaron’s rod, king’s crown and Arctic root.  Many groups have their own name for Rhodiola rosea, and these groups will brew the root as a tea, make a tincture, or use the stems and leaves in preparing meals.  The many names for the same plant suggest a favorable, highly regarded status among multiple groups. 

 

The main traditional uses for Rhodiola rosea are for anxiety and fatigue. But there are specific uses in select groups, such as treating urinary disorders, infections, colds and toothaches.  Given the wide diversity that we know exists in the species, is it possible that there are unique strains growing in select areas of the world that have these special beneficial/curative properties?  North American clinical studies have focussed on stress, depression and cognitive function.  Possibly there is much more to learn.

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Planning for the Harvest

It’s the first day of spring, the vernal equinox, and ARRGO is planning for our Spring Harvest 2021.  Facility repairs and maintenance speed along, supplies are ordered, and schedules are set up.  The operations crew strategize on efficiencies for receiving and handling the freshly harvested roots.  Customer orders have been received and there is anticipation for the best harvest yet.

In the field the Rhodiola still hibernates, solidly frozen in the ground.  Snows are melting, though, and the water sinks into the earth – a good sign that winter’s hold is breaking and the soil is warming. 

The colors of winter linger and the eye searches for hints of green.  In colder latitudes the strengthening sun of early spring can often cause water runoff from early snowmelts.  Instead of sinking into partially thawed soil, the water pools into low areas or draws, creating temporary ponds and swelling streams and rivers.

This winter seemed less snowy than normal.  The cover of snow is now peeled back to reveal the soil, compressed vegetation, and all the projects that were left undone last fall.

The Rhodiola buds remain tightly closed, but the warmth of early spring will soon swell the buds.  Shoots and leaves will quickly follow, and the Rhodiola harvest will be in full dig.

Each year the ARRGO farmers uncover a few more of Rhodiola’s secrets.  And some of them are not what we want to hear.  We’ve known since the beginning that the roots weigh less in spring, and now we can quantify it.  As the buds and shoots develop, the roots give up some of their mass.  Farmers will lose between 6 and 13% by weight in spring compared to their fall harvest.  Although the root volume does not change from fall to spring, the roots are actually less dense while the shoots are actively growing.  If only we could harvest before they start the transition to bolt.  But that would mean dynamite and chunks of flying frozen dirt.

So while we plan for the harvest, we also question how to do it better.  When is the best time to harvest?  What influences growth and yield?  What creates the highest levels of beneficial compounds?  Time to plan to get some answers!

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What do you do with all the dirt?

ARRGO is celebrating the close of another successful harvest and processing season for our Rhodiola rosea.  Now it’s time to clean up and get ready for the next season.

When the freshly dug Rhodiola is delivered to the ARRGO Processing Facility, some of the ‘field’ comes with it.  The dirt, weeds and rocks still cling to neighboring roots.  The crew at the Processing Facility are the experts at separating the good root from all the clingers that wrap around and sometimes pierce through the thick fleshy Rhodiola.

At the end of each day, the crew has a bin full of dirt and bits of rhodiola and weeds that must be disposed of.  It used to be that the dirt and weeds were hauled off to the nearest facility that handles toxic waste.  Yes, that’s right – agricultural soil is considered toxic waste.  But now there’s a much better solution.

ARRGO is fortunate to own the land adjacent to our Processing Facility.  Now all the bins of dirt are spread out on the land.  The dirt is tilled and worked in, and the weeds are killed after a few times of being turned under.

Last year ARRGO grew a test plot of Rhodiola rosea on top of the dirt.  We plan to do that again this year, too.  After that our plan is to turn the area into a Community Garden for the town.  Expensive problem solved and many people will benefit!

Bins of dirt stacked at the ARRGO facility will soon be added to the ARRGO test plot
From agricultural waste to community garden
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Rhodiola rosea seedlings: Tiny seeds make tiny seedlings

It’s early March, and spring is still about 6 weeks away for farmers here in Alberta Canada.  We need to hit the ground running when the growing season starts.  While the snow covers all the jobs that had to be left when fall turned to winter, it’s a great time to plan for the months to come. 

Meanwhile as the farmers plan, the Rhodiola has been seeded into trays and waits for the snows to melt.  By mid-April the trays start to show green specks, but which ones are the Rhodiola rosea?  Small and bluish-green, two cotyledons appear (primary leaves before the first true leaves).  They are round and smooth and plump with a linear crevice in between. The white balls in the picture are perlite, which is found in many types of potting mixtures.

Experience says that the Rhodiola germinates early, but the plant is small and vulnerable.  If conditions are right, the tiny seedling will continue to grow, putting out one or two green shoots.  Simultaneously the seedling starts developing a small ball where the shoot meets the soil.  This is the crown where new buds will develop and energy is stored before winter comes.

The farmer tends his seedlings 6 months to 2 years before they are ready to transplant to the field.  The bigger the seedling at transplant time, the better the chance of survival. 

Will greenhouse practices or hydroponics improve the chances of survival?  Will these practices produce a larger more robust seedling in a shorter amount of time?  Research is underway in Alaska and in Canada and in time we will know and probably have even more questions!

Rhodiola rosea seedlings – April
First year and second year Rhodiola seedlings – August
Volunteer seedlings in the field – early May

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Harvesting Rhodiola Part Two

In our first video we saw Craig Park’s organic Rhodiola rosea field in full bloom in early May 2019.  It’s time for harvest, and Craig uses his potato digger to bring up the entire plant.  Dirt, rocks, weeds and Rhodiola come off the back end of the potato digger and the combination of everything is left in large piles.  The piles are heavy and require either lots of muscle and/or mechanization to sieve out the Rhodiola.

Craig uses his backhoe to break up the piles.  Workers on the ground separate out the rhodiola and place it into piles.  Workers then use the backhoe bucket to gather the roots, all the time shaking dirt, plastic and weeds from the Rhodiola.

Next stop, the backhoe dumps the plants onto tables where workers shake and break out more weeds, dirt and rocks.  The Rhodiola then goes into new tote bags which can hold up to 1200 pounds.  Craig’s tote bags are a little lighter due to the spring top growth.

Forks are added to the backhoe and the full bags are lifted onto a flatbed trailer.  The bags are covered and strapped down for their 2-hour trip to the ARRGO Processing Facility in Thorsby, Alberta.

The Rhodiola rosea is handled many times in the process of harvesting.  Once the Rhodiola is out of the ground it is vulnerable to contamination.  All equipment and tools must be cleaned prior to entering the Rhodiola field.  Clothing, gloves and boots must be washed and free of contaminants.  Even though it is hard work, the farmers must take great care not to bruise or pierce the roots in order to avoid entry of foreign materials, oxidation and decay.

Getting the Rhodiola ready for delivery to the ARRGO Facility is exhausting work for the farmers.  They are so glad when the job is done.  Thank you ARRGO farmers!  You are truly hard workers!