The Propagation of Wolfberry Seeds

Wolfberry seeds can be propagated from the dried fruit, but properly harvested seeds are more reliable.

Wolfberries (Lycium chinense or Lycium torreyii), also known as matrimony vine and goji berry, is propagated by seed or by cuttings. Seeds produce plants similar or nearly identical to its parent plant, while cuttings produce exact genetic copies.

Harvesting

Pick fruit when it is red-ripe, and remove the seeds. Clean them with plain water, dry thoroughly, then freeze them for two to three months. This simulates their natural winter dormancy.

Germinating

Remove the seeds from the freezer and soak in room-temperature water for 24 hours. This simulates the spring thawing rain, and helps soften the seed coat for faster germination. Plant in seed starter medium (very light soil enriched with organic matter such as compost) 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Germinate in a bright room or area of the yard in temperature over 70 degrees F. Germination takes about two weeks.

Considerations

Propagation by cutting will produce fruiting wolfberry plants faster than seed propagation. Seed propagation yields fruiting plants in two to three years.

References

• Purdue University Center for New Crops and Food Products: Chinese Medicinal Herbs: Opportunities for Domestic Production
• New Mexico State University: Medicinal Herbs
• Native Plants for Idaho: Tumbling for Seed Cleaning and Conditioning