Goji Berry - Wolfberry - Shaghai Express (Lycium barbarum) Wolf Berry Goji Berries Fruit

Goji Berry - Wolfberry - Shanghai Express (Lycium barbarum) Wolf Berry Goji Berries Fruit

Perennial

Height 3 to 6 ft

Goji, also known as Wolfberry, is an amazing plant. Not only do Goji plants produce 'superfood' nutritious berries, but this shrubby plant is also self pollinating - even single plants will produce fruit! Goji plants can also reach 1 to 3 M (3 to 10 ft) tall over time. Shanghai Express will typically produce up to six pounds of fruit after its third year of growth. 

Goji berries are rich in nutrients, and packed with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids as well as five beneficial carotenoids (beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin), which are believed to contribute to improved health and disease resistance. Goji plant leaves are also a source of nutrition. Berries can be eaten raw or dried, in smoothies and teas, and added to trail mixes.

This variety grows well in cooler regions as plants are cold hardy to minus 20 C (-4°F). If severe winter weather is expected, it is wise to mulch around the bases of Goji plants, or move container plants into a cool but frost free area such as a garage. Goji dislikes extreme cold or heat.

• Full Sun
• Soil: prefers relatively infertile, slightly alkaline soil with a pH range of 6.8 to 8.1.
• Note: Goji reacts poorly to fertilizer and manure, so if growing in a large container, use simple top soil with some perlite mixed in for drainage. Avoid peat-based soils.
• Start seeds indoors: Recommended.  Best started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost. Sow 2 to 3 seeds into each starter pot at a planting depth of 1/4 in deep in a sterilized starting mix without the use of fertilizer.
• Germination: is usually around 7-14 days at 20 to 25 C, but is much slower and can take several weeks at lower temperatures as these are perennial plants and not annuals.
• Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate, and then place under bright lights.
• After the third true leaf emerges, transplant each seedling into its own pot.
• Transplant outdoors after all risk of frost has passed.
• Spacing: place seedlings 60cm (24in) apart in rows that are 2m (6 in) apart - spaced this way (15 plants in a 30 foot row) plants typically can produce up to 100 pounds of berries in one year.
• OR direct sow seeds outdoors when the soil can be work and all risk of frost has passed.
• Young goji berry shrubs need only a light pruning each spring to remove any dead and damaged wood and to also reduce the stems to the space available.
• Gojis fruit on last year's wood, but removing a few of the oldest stems each year will help to keep the plant rejuvenated.
• Harvest: goji berries reach full colour about 35 days after full bloom. Unlike some berries that can be shaken or beaten from the plants by mechanical harvesters, goji fruit must be picked by hand as the fruit do not easily separate from the stem, and bruised berries will turn black.
• Seed Count: 15