March, 2011:  I am having great success with wasbai here (3200' elevation in the Southern Appalachians). So far I have only sold seed and plants, but this year will begin marketing leaves. I think it may be a few years before we (in America) can produce roots like the Japanese.  They use specially selected clones which are propagated by tissue culture and have been selected for very specific environments (adjacent watersheds may be using different clones). Meanwhile, the leaves are a terrific product, presently unknown in America. They are big (~3"), glossy, and have the true sweet, complex wasabi flavor. Creative chefs will have a ball with these. I'll be keeping close records this year of how many leaves can be harvested from a plant on a sustainable basis (it should be possible to harvest from April - Nov, maybe longer)

   Last year I put in several experimental plantings using kiddie wading pools. They have been very successful, the plants are now beginning to bloom and I also expect to pot up about 500 seedlings from each 6' diameter pool. I'll post pictures soon. I'll be teaching workshops again in June on wasabi cultivation, at which time fresh seed and seedling plants will be available (god willing)

Right now (March 12, 2011) I have for sale about 50 one year old, flowering wasabi plants in 2"x2"x6' pots @ 2/$25 or 4/$45 plus $10 packing and priority mail. (So 2 plants cost $35 and 4 cost $55) These will produce seed this year which, handled properly, will germinate next spring. These are well-established plants and I think are much preferable to the seedling plants in 2x2x3 pots which I will be selling for $5 in June which will require more TLC.  This is such a good deal that I won't be sorry if I don't sell any.

Wasabi in bloom

Wasabi Seedlings