Comments on: Goji Berry Plants

By: Miss D

Miss D — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:28:55 +0000

Did you know you can eat the leaves too? They are known as Gau Gei Choi or sometimes Chinese Box Thorn leaves and can be used in a similar way to spinach, although apparently shouldn’t be eaten raw (according to my source, anyway). They are sometimes used in soup in Chinese cooking. I’ve only tried them once as they can be difficult to get hold of in the UK, but if you’re growing your own then you have a ready supply on hand!

I haven’t grown any yet, but I really want to try! Does anyone know the best time of year to plant the seeds? I read on another site that the seedlings have to be kept warm for the first year after germination, is this true?

By: Gerry

Gerry — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:31:27 +0000

Greetings from KwaZulu-Natal South Africa.
Four weeks ago I planted some whole berries that I soaked for 8 hours in a seed tray using potting soil and worm castings. This was kept wet by spray every day. After 3 weeks I have over 200 little plants about 1cm high. Each berry has produced about 20 seedlings and more are starting to sprout. I have transplanted 60 into individule little seed pots about 4cm wide and 6cm deep and these I have placed in trays taking 21 in each tray. I live in apartment 8 floors above the ground. The plants are located by the window facing the sun. At the moment I am watering them lightly. Peace be with you. Om Shanti.

By: Corey

Corey — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:44:37 +0000

Joni, How are you wattering? What kind of soil are your plants in? Have you noticed any insects or animals around your plants? You may need to add some organic fertilizer rich in potassium. This will improve your plants immune system.

If you are allowing your Goji to grow naturally it will most likely have a lot of new shoots coming from the roots. If you want more of the plant energy to produce berries, prune the new shoots when you see them starting.

The Goji berries are very small berries, but since your plant is only in its second year the berries will be smaller. Plants in the 4-5 year range produce larger crops consisting of larger berries.

By: Joni

Joni — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:31:48 +0000

Hi Corey - I would love to hear details about your experiences in getting your plants to thrive. I have several plants in the ground, also in their second year, and they are producing some berries too. One plant in particular is just growing like crazy. I am seeing some berries turn dark or get spots on them before ripening, though. And some of the leaves are drying and falling off some of the plants as well. Does anyone have any ideas on why this may be happening? Another question is that how large do the berries usually get? I was expecting something a bit larger than what I’m seeing with these plants (much smaller than wild blueberries). Thanks!

By: Kenny Point

Kenny Point — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 02:04:52 +0000

Hi Corey, I would love to see the photos of your goji berry plants and may be able to include them in an upcoming article that I’m planning about propagating goji berry plants. You can email the photos to the address listed on my “contact me” page, thanks.

By: Corey

Corey — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:39:15 +0000

I have 5 Goji’s in my yard now. Two of them are doing amazingly well and 1 of them is producing a large crop of berries on its second year. The others are also doing well.

I bought more seeds and started another 10 plants that I need to get in the ground soon. I have also learned how to propogate these plants. This is a great way to get more plants and decrease the amount of time before the plant produces berries.

Kenny if I send you some pictures can you post them on your site?

By: Norman

Norman — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:56:31 +0000

My wife uses goji berries mainly in the Chinese soups she prepares. They give a nice mild sweetness which goes well with the more exotic tastes in there. They are traditionally used that way in China
I planted three “dry roots” this year in our part of northern UK. One in a clay pot, two outside. Of the outside pair, one in full sun and one in partial shade. Of the three, the partial shade one grew leaves first and is growing upwards and outwards. It is a sandy/clay soil. The one in full sun has put out a couple of vertical shoots but seems more keen on growing horizontal creepers which are already almost two feet long. It is in a sandy soil. The last one, in the pot with potting soil and sand, is growing verrrry slowly but has a more conventional shape. It was very slow to produce leaves and I had almost given up hope.
I am going to have to cut the creepers on the rapidly expanding one, which is a pity because they look so healthy!

By: Lucille Crabtree

Lucille Crabtree — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:31:58 +0000

I am very interested in the gogi berries. Where can I find sweet ones to buy the dried berries, seeds or plants.
If I can get seeds or dried berries I can get them started now. Some times a health food store will carry the dried gogi but I want to be sure that they are good and sweet. Is there a place here in the usa or canada?
Thank you
Please e-mail me at vlucille543@gmail.com

Lucille Crabtree
Florence, Oregon.
541-997-9627