How to Grow Goji Berry Plants
Goji berry plants are very hardy once established but need some special care the first year. Plants bloom both white and purple trumpet-shaped flowers on the same plant in summer. Mature plants are extremely cold and heat tolerant (-15 to +100 degrees F) and exceptionally prolific without much encouragement. Bare root plants can be pricey, but growing from seeds is not difficult and can produce great results. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Shade-dried goji berries
- Sharp knife
- Peat pots
- Potting soil
- Shovel
- Organic compost
- Rotted manure
Instructions
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Extract seeds from dried berries by placing them between two damp paper towels for one to two hours. When the berries are softened, carefully slice them open and remove seeds. Plant immediately in peat pots containing loosely packed potting soil at ¼ to ½ inch deep.
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Keep peat pots evenly moist in indirect sun. Once seedlings are 5 to 6 inches tall, gradually expose them to direct sun for a few hours at a time per day.
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When seedlings reach 10 to12 inches, plant the entire peat pot in well-drained soil and full sun (or in pots with potting soil, if growing as a house plant). Plants will become a thick bush, growing to a height of 10 to12 feet, so plant in a place that can accommodate their growth.
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Dig a 2 by 2 foot hole and fill with half bedding soil and half organic compost. Plant each peat pot up to the rim so that the seedling is at the same depth as it was in the pot. Keep evenly moist until the plant is well established.
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Mulch with organic compost around plant, leaving about 1 to 2 inches around stem open. Keep mulch 2 to 3 inches deep on mature plants.
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Once established, plants will be very hardy. Allow soil to get partially dry before lightly watering (preferably in early morning). Do not soak. Do not water overhead; wetting the leaves can promote fungus.
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Fertilize with organic compost and/or rotted manure at least once a year in early spring.
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Plants will begin to produce berries when they are 2 years old, reaching high yields at 4 to 5 years. Do not prune until second year. Afterward, moderate pruning will make for a healthy plant and high yields.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not attempt to get seeds from dried goji berries purchased from a store that are meant for eating as they are probably sun dried or dried in dehydrators and won't germinate well. Purchase shade-dried berries from a commercial nursery .
When harvesting, shake berries from the branches into a basket or pail. They will oxidize if handled and turn black. They can be eaten fresh or dried like raisins.
If planting in pots, re-pot every year, changing the soil as plant will consume all the nutrients. (See Source 4)
Do not plant next to a road or driveway as car exhaust and dust can damage the plant.
Do not use oak or walnut leaves in compost.
References
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Comments
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Can we grow Goji Berries in India, particularly Ranchi.
