Goji, Red (Lycium barbarum), packet of 50 seeds, organic
$4.95
Family: Nightshade (Solanacea)
Hardy to Zone 5 to 10
(Lycium chinensis, Chinese Matrimony Vine, Box Thorn, Go-Qi-Zi, GO-CHI) Deciduous woody shrub to 9 feet tall. Native to Northern China. Goji berries are used fresh, juiced or (more commonly) dried and used like raisins. Traditional usage (TCM): Yin tonic. Plant prefers full sun and fast-drying soils. High desert conditions are quite conducive, or regular garden conditions on the dry side. Goji plants are drought-tolerant. Sow the seeds just beneath the surface, tamp in, and keep in strong light. Water well to start, but back off on watering after germination, which occurs in 1 to 2 weeks. Pot up seedlings and plant out to the landscape only after they are well-established. 2 to 3 years maturity, 15 year or more lifespan. Space 3 feet apart.
50 seeds per packet, certified organically grown
In stock
Question
Susan James (verified owner) –
We’re having unprecedented rain with low 40 temps in Northern Calif. I got all my Spring veg seeds and Goji. Z9; when do you recommend getting Goji seeds in the found. They’ll be planted on my clay/rock 30 degree slope. Any recommendations for which soil amendments to add. I want Goji to be happy and thrive in the open with hot summers, high temps.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Susan, Thanks for contacting. Goji is in the Solanacea just like tomatoes–you can grow it the first year just like you would a tomato plant. If you direct-seed tomatoes, which is an unusual practice but not unheard-of, then you direct-seed the goji in the same way, after the last frost. However tomatoes like a rich soil and goji does not. Clay and rock on a 30-degree slope in the sun with hot summers sounds good. This is a woody, whippy plant that takes a couple of years to esxtablish and fruit. I have a row of them that gets weeded but never gets composted, and they are very happy that way. richo
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Susan James (verified owner) –
Sounds great for my slope! I’m wondering how much water they need the first few years, and after? I can add a dripper to each seed location. Hot Summers in Z9 can sometimes persist for days over 90 degrees.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Susan, A dripper sounds good, but the main thing is to observe the plant and alter your cultivation technique accordingly. richo
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Question
Susan James –
can I grow this Goji, Red tree on a 30 degree slope? how do you dry the berries?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Susan, Thanks for contacting. Yes, goji is mountain-friendly and does well on sloping soils. The berries are like little tomatoes–you can just pluck them and dry them in a dehydrator. You’ll enjoy the goji monograph in “Growing Plant Medicine Vol 2.” richo
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Question
Stallard Road –
What is the difference between this and the black berry variety? Is the latin name different? THANKS
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Richo Cech –
hi, this one is much nicer and it is true that i’ve grown both. the black is a different species in the same genus (ruthenicum) richo
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Willow Whyte Lynch –
So how tall does it grow in maturity? What’s its average lifespan? How long/old before we could harvest berries? Thank you for your time and generosity.
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Richo Cech –
hi willow! these grow to 9 feet, take 4 to 5 years to maturity and live for 15 years or longer. r
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Frank Gagne –
If unpruned/trimmed, will this grow to be a shrub or vine? Will the trunk support it, or will it need a trellis?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Frank,
I know they call it “matrimony vine” but really it is a self-supportive woody shrub. I think the “vine” adage comes from the long stems that dangle down from the crown. It weeps. Come to think of it, many weep at the ceremony of matrimony, either out of excessive joy, excessive trepidation, or both. Richo
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Question
Julia (verified owner) –
How would you suggest pruning goji?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Julia,
Goji does tend to make a mess of branches and I think it can benefit from pruning. They work well in espalier. Winter pruning is advised and the most obvious cuts are low to the ground (you may be able to propagate from these) or any branch that is shaded by a larger branch. Any branch can be cut back some, make the cut just after the best bud.
Richo
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patrick keiter –
north central pennsylvania zone 5
i dare sway im the only gardener on the block with fresh organic goji berries
thanks Richo and family
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Patrick,
Good work!
Richo
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Marie Irene Knoll –
100% germination. What more can you ask for. 🙂
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