I need to know how to plant maca seeds in michigan?

Question

i have seeds but don't know how to start,

Answer 1

The seeds are quite large so plant two in a 3'' pots. Leave one  and grow on. When large enough, about 4 leaves, pot on. leave them in pots if you wish to overwinter them, and move them to a frost free environs. they will not tolerate a Michigan winter.

Answer 2

Sow the seed on the surface of the seed bed, stir it around with your fingers, then tamp in securely.  Germination is in 4 days at 65 degrees F soil temperature.  Plant prefers fall, winter and spring conditions for growth.  Full sun and a fast-draining soil is preferred. Maca likes a somewhat alkaline soil, such as decomposed granite or volcanic soils.  Composted manures are a good fertilizer for MACA.  Thin to 6 inch spacing, and harvest after the first year of growth.  Best to direct-seed in September and harvest in May or so, but if your winters are very snowy I don't think this will probably work.  Here in Williams we get very little snow, and the plant grows through the winter, which is preferred, as it encourages bulbing (the hypocotyl).  If left in the field for 2 years, the root will become quite woody and the plant will go to seed.  Probably the best regions for growing maca are high steppes in tropical or subtropical countries.  The plant is very tolerant of high intensity sunlight and withstands drastic temperature fluctuations.

Answer 3

I suggest contacting your County Master Gardener program and verifying this is not an invasive species before planting them. Even then, it would be best to plant indoors.

There are native species of Gensing in Michigan, you do not want to release this into the wild.

Select County webpages link on the site below to find your County information.