GojiTrees.com & GojiTrees Natural Health

714 E Academy Street Paris, Arkansas 72855

Rich Tompkins 1-479-963-1357  Brian Helton 1-479-963-8587

Description - Seed Harvest & Planting Instruction

NingXia Goji Berries

(Lycium Barbarum L.)

Details:

Other Names:		Goji Berry, Chinese Wolfberry,  Matrimony Vine
Flowers:		Produces small purple/white trumpet flowers from summer till frost.
Foliage:		The tender, slender leaves or the Gojis are an emerald green on long vine like branches, that need to be pruned once a year to produce well.
Fruit:		The Goji berry is the size of a very small grape, oval in shape, midly sweet and is redish in color, they are harvested through late summer till frost.
Lifecycle:		2    (0: N/A, 1: annual, 2: perennial, 3: biennial)
Height:		5 - 10 ft.
Diameter:		6 - 8 ft.
Heirloom:		yes
Container Planting:		yes

Cultural Requirements:

USDA Zones:		1 to 9?
Soil:		The Goji will grow in most types of soil, but will not tolerate wet soggy soil.
Propagation / Germination:		Easy to germinate, 1 - 3 weeks. Plants can also be propagated.
Spacing:		6- 8 ft
Sun:		Full sun in northern states. Partial shade in extremely hot states.
Water:		Must have good drainage, water at least once a week if dry.
Pests and Diseases:		The Goji is loved by many pests, such as tomato worms, birds, chickens, rabbits, deer, goats, horses and etc. It is a very winter hardy plant. See: *Damping-Off Disease.

Seed Harvest:

Freeze your seed pods overnight in the package you receive them in. After freezing, remove the seed pods from the package, and soak them (in pure water) for 24 hours. This will cause the seed to react as though it were receiving its first spring rain, after breaking winter dormancy, and jump start the germination process. To avoid "damping-off disease," make sure your germination area is contaminant free. Slice the rehydrated seedpod open and gently remove the small yellow seed on to a dry paper towel. When dry, gently shake and scrape the seeds off of the paper towel, and on to a darker, flat surface (for ease in counting and planting). Plant immediately!

Soil Preparation & Germination Process:

Goji seed will complete the germination process in almost any good, contaminant free, seed starter, or potting soil. Avoid potting soils, or seed starters, with “wood chips.” Wood chips often contain turpines that can kill the seed. Make sure your soil has good drainage, and air circulation. Avoid excessive nitrogen, chemical fertilizers, or a high PH ballance, in your seed starter. There are no nutrients in chemicals, and excessive nitrogen, a high PH ballance, poor drainage, or poor air circulation, will all contribute to "damping-off disease." Most commercial seed starters are contaminant free, and have a PH of about 5.5. 

Planting Seed: 

Fill seed cups, and press down gently until you have a firm planting bed, about one inch from the top of the seed cup. Soak the soil in the seed cup just before planting. Plant one seed per seed cup, 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep (dry seeds can be easily picked up, and planted one at a time, using the tip of a wet tooth-pick). Lightly cover the seed with soil and GENTLY soak the seeded area (we soak our seed pots with a special mixture of seaweed fertilizer, in dechlorinated water).  Keep the seed (soil) warm (above 70 degrees), in the shade, and 'soaked' until it germinates (1 to 3 weeks). Covering seed pots with a plastic dome, or plastic sheeting, will speed up the germination process to a matter of days (Be sure to poke a couple of holes in the plastic for air circulation)..

Transplanting Seedling:

Once your seedling sprouts, and develops at least 2 leaves, treat it for *damping-off disease, move the plant to a cooler area, and allow it to "harden off." When soil becomes dry, transplant the seedling to at least a one-gallon pot, in a well draining, contaminant free soil, and then gently water it in (be careful not to disturb the root). Water your Goji plant about twice a week until established, and once a week thereafter (If needed). Your Goji will tell you when it needs water. When it begins to wilt, give it a drink. Once your tree is established, ease it slowly into direct sunlight to "toughen it up." The Goji Tree loves direct sunlight, but too much sun (heat), too soon, will kill the young seedling.

 If you supply your soil mixture with plenty of organic materials such as humas, fish emulsion, and seaweed fertilizers (for the trace minerals), your goji trees will produce the fruit that nature intended. Mature Lycium barbarum L. (Goji) plants prefer a high PH ballance, above 8.2. Once your seedling is established, tap water will usually raise the PH. You can use Potash to raise the PH even higher if needed.

The Goji can be hard to establish, but once established it makes a hardy “Tree,” requiring little care. Good luck growing your own Goji Berries. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. We are here to help.

Warmest Regards,

GojiTrees Natural Health

www.GojiTrees.com

Service@GojiTrees.com

 DON'T OVER HEAT, OVER WATER, OR OVER FERTILIZE!!

       Damping-Off  Disease --  Frequently asked questions

*Proper conditions for seed germination and seedling emergence also favor vigorous growth of fungi that cause damping-off. Seed and roots must be kept moist and warm until the roots have penetrated the soil and the seedlings have emerged. As the seedlings continue to grow, moisture at the soil surface can be decreased, and the damping-off fungi then will have less of an advantage. When watering, thoroughly saturate the soil and then apply no more water until soil approaches the point at which plants wilt. This procedure will keep surface soil dry for a maximum time. Avoid frequent sprinkling because this generally keeps surface soil too moist and promotes fungal growth.  

*Hot Tip: "Damping off disease" is very common with Goji berry seedlings. To help prevent this from occuring, as soon as the seed germinates, and produces a 'stem,' lightly sprinkle 'Ground Cinnimon Powder' on the soil, and on the base of the stem of the plant.  This will kill a common fungas that causes damping off disease.  

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