Caring for goji in the fall. Affordable exotic for your gardens - goji berry
IN Lately Unusual goji berries came into fashion. Some say that this is a 100% weight loss remedy. Others believe that these miraculous berries are a storehouse of useful and vital microelements
Recently, unusual goji berries have come into fashion. Some say that this is a 100% weight loss remedy. Others believe that these miraculous berries are a storehouse of useful and vital microelements. In this article we will learn not only about why this plant is so useful and valuable, but also about how to grow goji berries at your dacha.
Mysterious goji berries are called “dereza” in Russian and scientifically. Actually, only the fruits of the Chinese wolfberry can be considered goji berries - Lycium chinense, or common wolfberry (barbary) - Lycium barbarum. Dereza is also popularly called wolfberry(but this name goes to a number of different plants, including non-poisonous ones like wolfberry), lure. You can often hear the name “Tibetan barberry”, but wolfberry and barberry ( Berberis) - absolutely different plants from different families - don't confuse them! They may slip you barberry seedlings under the guise of goji. The name is “goji” ( Goji) came in English language from Chinese dialects - this is what dereza is called in China .
The Chinese wolfberry is native to the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, in northwestern China. It was she who gave rise to so many legends and rumors about long-lived monks.
The common wolfberry is practically not inferior to its commodity in properties, but its distribution area is wider - you can find this berry in the east and center of China, throughout South-East Asia, and here too: in Central Asia, in the Kuban, in Primorye, in the Caucasus, in Ukraine, in middle lane Russia.
Dereza belongs to the nightshade family; it is a deciduous shrub, reaching 3 meters in height, with drooping, prickly branches and small leaves. The crown can reach up to 6 m in diameter. The root system is powerful with deep, strong roots that form many root shoots.
The plant, if cultivated, is quite decorative: the branches are a pleasant light yellow color, the leaves are light green on top and bluish below.
It will begin to bloom in June and will be pleasing to the eye until October. Pink, purple, sometimes even brown-violet flowers have a soft, pleasant scent.
The berries are oblong, orange, crimson-red in color, up to 2 cm in length, enveloping the shoot like a scattering. It will begin to bear fruit 3 years after planting, sometimes earlier.
Goji Reproduction
- Seeds- propagates well by seeds. They are sown in a greenhouse without stratification in the spring and left for the winter. When the seedlings begin to grow, the top of the shoot is pinched to make the bush thicker.
Vegetatively- can be propagated by semi-lignified cuttings about 10 cm long, but you should make sure that there is old wood on the shoot. To do this, dip part of the cut with root and plant it in a greenhouse or under film in July-August. When propagated by lignified cuttings, it takes root faster. You can root in a cool place or a cool but insulated balcony from autumn until the end of winter.
In the Caucasus, dereza often reproduces by self-sowing.
Goji planting
For common wolfberry, the soil reaction can be slightly acidic-strongly alkaline, but in principle it can grow on any soil composition. For planting, preference should be given to sunny places. Dereza does not like stagnant water. Best time for planting - spring. Goji is rarely planted in autumn; it is akin to extreme gardening, because most often it can freeze out in winter. But there are also favorable outcomes for autumn planting in warmer regions. The tests were carried out at breeding grounds in St. Petersburg. With shelter in cold winter froze to the level of the root collar or to the end of the snow cover. Can tolerate cold temperatures down to -15 °C. Many sources (German nurseries) say that even down to -25 ° C, but in the middle zone this is extremely risky. In the south of Russia it can winter without shelter.
We prepare a hole 50-60 cm wide and about 40 cm deep for a goji seedling. We place holes for several plants at a distance of 1.5-2 meters from each other. Add 150-200 g of superphosphate, 8-10 kg of compost (humus, peat), 30-40 g of potassium sulfate or wood ash to the soil for filling and mix thoroughly. The seedlings need to be buried a little. After planting, water thoroughly and mulch with peat or humus.
Goji care
Watering: You can water the wolfberry only after planting and not even more than 2 times a week, depending on the dryness of the summer.
Feeding: Dereza grows even on poor soils, but best quality fruits are observed on soils with average fertility. You can feed young plants during the growing season; they do not need further feeding.
Trimming: Goji tolerates haircuts and pruning well. New shoots will grow from old wood. In ornamental gardening, it tolerates shearing well even with special mechanical devices.
Shelter for the winter: In winter, goji can freeze out, to be sure to protect itself, many gardeners plant the plant in deep containers and store it in basements until spring. But there are also gardeners whose dereza does not freeze and, covered only with spruce branches and snow, overwinters until spring.
Medicinal properties goji berries
It is believed that goji berries contain vitamin C, many different minerals and polysaccharides, B vitamins, as well as essential fatty acid. In addition, they contain great amount proteins, thereby surpassing even grain crops. A decoction of goji berries tones the body, perhaps due to its tonic properties in combination with proteins, in Chinese folk medicine used as a strong natural aphrodisiac. Conducted Scientific research indeed confirmed an increase in testosterone in the blood. Due to the high content of zinc and iron, they are often used for anemia. In combination with other herbs can be used as a remedy for chronic fatigue and improving immunity. Useful as a means of combating hypertension. In modern medicine, the antitumor properties of goji have not been confirmed. But it has been scientifically proven that a special polysaccharide has been isolated from wolfberry, which helps with the initial stages of diabetes.
Which parts of the plant should you use?
1. Goji berries usually used in dried form. You should not pick berries with your bare hands, as fresh juice from wolfberries can irritate your skin (much like the juice from fresh pineapple). It’s better to spread a cloth under the bush and knock the berries off the branches. The fruits should be harvested when they turn bright red and have reached full ripeness. Unripe fresh berries can cause poisoning. No wonder one of their names is wolfberry.
First you need to dry the berries, then separate them from the stalk. To purchase raw materials medicinal properties, the berries need to be dried until the skin begins to peel off. Drying can only be done naturally, without the use of ovens or preservatives.
2. Goji root bark - It is used for coughs, fevers, lowers cholesterol levels in the blood, and is also used as a diuretic and laxative. To obtain raw materials, you need to dig up the roots, wash them, remove the bark and dry them thoroughly in the sun. Then make decoctions from the bark.
3. From goji leaves They make invigorating teas.
Keep in mind that the Russian body, unlike the Chinese or Tibetans, is not characterized by a large consumption of goji berries. Our body is not able to immediately adapt to high consumption of fruits and other parts of this plant. In this regard, those who are heavily addicted to wolfberry may experience kidney problems and severe dehydration.
Goji berry varieties
Best known nowadays decorative variety“New Big” (NEW BIG) is the brainchild of Polish selection. The fruits are round, large and sweet. It is an excellent honey plant and has good resistance to urban conditions (wind, heat, smoke). 
The other two varieties suitable for growing in the middle zone are “Goji Lhasa” and “Chinese Goji” (Goji Lyciet). "Chinese Goji" has a high yield and is mid-season. “Goji Lhasa” begins to bear fruit early - already in the second year after planting, unlike other varieties that bear fruit in the 3rd-4th year. This is an early ripening variety with large berries.
Today there are also many for sale hybrid varieties(signs of which are mostly transmitted only when vegetative propagation, and not through seeds), for example, “NR1 Lifeberry” - frost-resistant and resistant to diseases and pests.
Goji berries have gained great popularity among those who want to lose weight or get back to normal. digestive system. These berries also contain a whole cocktail of various vitamins and minerals that help improve the body’s condition and enhance immunity. Goji berries can be bought in an online store, but not everyone knows that they can be grown at home - on a windowsill. And if you want to be sure that what you have in front of you is goji berries, growing them in a city apartment or house will become better protection from fake.
Goji berries - growing from seeds
Goji berry seeds can be ordered online or extracted from the berries themselves. To do this, it is better to soak dried fruits in water, since the seed itself is very small, about 1 mm in size, and the pulp of the berry is quite sticky.
Soak the goji berries you plan to grow in water with a growth bioregulator. At the same time, water should not completely cover the seeds - they need oxygen.
Then prepare a box with soil consisting of equal proportions of soil, river sand and peat. The seeds are planted to a depth of 2 mm or simply lightly crushed with soil on top. Optimal temperature for good shoots- 25 degrees. Make sure there are no differences of more than 10 degrees, drafts or straight sun rays. Until the seeds have sprouted, the box with them is covered with cling film, which is removed only at night.
When the seeds sprout, wait until a few leaves appear on them, and only then transplant them into pots that should be deep enough, because root system This bush develops very quickly.
Goji berries - cultivation and care
It is necessary to replant the future bush as follows: prepare a deep hole in which to place the plant. Sprinkle it with soil and fertilizer on top, and then water it. Additionally, place peat on top. Tie the seedling itself to a support so that it does not fall.
Water about once a week, but make sure that the soil does not dry out. In between waterings, spray the bush with water from a spray bottle. As it grows, periodically trim the branches so that the bush grows more densely.
If you want to get high-quality goji berries, growing and caring for the plant should include certain activities in winter period. At this time, the shrub needs to provide a temperature of about 10 degrees Celsius. Also during this period, the soil in the pot is sprinkled with sawdust to protect the roots from hypothermia, and dead branches are cut off.
“Treatment with celandine at home” - read the article.
Goji berries: growing at home
At home, the bush produces its first fruits in the fourth year, so you should be patient. Berries can be collected from late summer to early autumn. It was also noted that the older the plant, the tastier and sweeter the fruits. Of course, if you have a strong desire to receive fresh goji berries right in your city apartment, growing them at home will become optimal solution. But, nevertheless, the berries may differ slightly in taste qualities from those who grew up in the homeland of this bush - in China.
The fruits of the plant will resemble the shape of sea buckthorn berries, and during the flowering period the bush will decorate your home with purple-pink flowers. When preparing to harvest, remember that goji branches have thorns that can easily injure you. Therefore, it is necessary to wear gloves on your hands that can protect you from the juice of fresh berries, because it can cause irritation on the skin. The berries are simply shaken off onto an oilcloth laid under the bush. Experts also advise waiting until the fruits are fully ripened, when the berries turn bright red. Unripe fruits can cause poisoning. Dry goji in the shade without using an oven or stove. When the skin of the berries begins to peel off, they are ready to eat.
There are few people who have never heard of goji berries. Over the past few years, Internet sites have been filled with attractive advertisements for this “miracle from the East.” Goji is often promoted as a "magic" natural remedy for weight loss, but the plant is also known to contain many invaluable micronutrients, useful to the body person.
But is it really necessary to constantly buy them for decent money in order to eat goji berries? After all, conditions for growing this miracle plant can be created in Russia. Anyone who wants to try goji as a means of losing weight, is looking for a source of microelements and vitamins, or simply wants to diversify their summer cottage with some unusual plant Of course, it will be interesting to know what a goji berry is, planting, growing and caring for which is quite possible on Russian soil.
Eastern miracle
Tibet is considered the birthplace of the miracle berries and the area where they first learned about its usefulness. In China, the history of eating goji dates back tens of thousands of years. Since the last century, goji has gained incredible popularity in many countries around the world. Behind healing properties Goji berries are rightfully recognized as one of the most useful natural herbal remedies. The shrub with oblong bright red fruits has many names: common wolfberry, Tibetan (or Chinese) barberry, wolfberry, wolfberry, Chinese wolfberry...
Dereza belongs to the nightshade family. Of the more than 40 species of plants bearing the scientific name “wolfberry”, as a rule, it is the common wolfberry that is grown outside China. Thanks to its unpretentiousness and relative simplicity care, this plant is very popular and is well cultivated in the countries of Asia, Africa, the Caucasus, Ukraine, Primorye, as well as in central Russia.
Benefits of goji berries for humans
Goji berries, the planting and care of which have already been purchased in Chinese provinces industrial scale, is incredibly valued in traditional medicine of China and Tibet.
The properties of these “magical” berries are difficult to overestimate. Goji is an invaluable source of more than twenty minerals, a set of natural vegetable fats and carbohydrates, 18 rare amino acids, linoleic acid, proteins, fatty acids, fiber, essential vitamins C, E and groups B.
Of course, goji berries, planted and cared for in Russia, are noticeably inferior in the amount of minerals and vitamins to similar fruits grown in the mountains of Tibet or China. But even “goji from the countryside” can provide the human body with the daily norm of all of the above substances.
In addition to using these berries for the most advertised purpose - weight loss, eating goji solves many medical and physiological problems: they improve metabolism and skin condition, reduce blood sugar levels, regulate melatonin levels, help with depression and sleep disorders, improve immunity and promote rejuvenation body. There is an opinion that the consumption of goji is the secret of the success of athletes from the Middle Kingdom, the reason for their incredible endurance.
Climatic conditions and soil for growing goji
Externally, the common wolfberry is a tall shrub with small leaves and thin flexible, rather prickly branches. flowering bush covered with delicate purple flowers, and the fruits of the wolfberry, known as goji berries, are oblong, medium-sized, and bright red in color. The ability of wolfberry to grow and bear fruit in the harsh mountain climate of the Himalayas suggests that the plant is highly resilient and can withstand frosts down to -15 degrees.
“Berry of happiness and longevity” feels great in the Russian temperate climate, in a place where there is a lot sunlight and average humidity. The soil on which dereza is grown can be any, so the plant is very unpretentious. Goji berries, the planting and care of which are discussed in the article, can be successfully grown in the Moscow region on a summer cottage.
Goji seedlings from cuttings
How to grow goji berries in your own garden? You can grow a wolfberry seedling from seeds or from cuttings.
Cuttings can be obtained by layering. To do this, in the middle of summer, on an existing bush at least three years old, bend it to the ground and dig in strong branches. Before the first frost, the branch is cut and planted.
The cuttings can be cut separately. WITH mother bush cuttings about 10 cm long are cut with care, and be sure to cut them so that at least 1 cm is “old” wood. The edge is treated with root, and the cuttings are planted in the greenhouse. In winter, an insulated balcony is also suitable for this.
How to grow seedlings from seeds
If it is not possible to obtain cuttings, then you can grow a wolfberry seedling from seeds extracted from ripe goji berries. Planting and caring for seeds is somewhat different from cuttings.
The seeds are extracted from fully ripe goji berries. They do not need to be germinated before planting; it is recommended to simply soak them in an immune system stimulant - zircon or epin - for a couple of hours. The seeds are placed in a medium-loose, drained, neutral soil mixture containing compost and sand. The seeds are planted close to each other in a greenhouse or other fairly bright place with a stable warm temperature and covered with film. Watering is carried out using a spray bottle.
After two leaves appear on the bush, the plants are seated in deep containers and the tops are pinched. IN greenhouse conditions Dereza is not maintained less than a year, after which it is planted in the ground.
Planting in open ground
Next important stage in growing goji - planting and caring for seedlings. It is best to plant wolfberry in the ground in the spring. Since this is a cross-pollinating plant, it is necessary to plant at least two shrubs nearby.
A wolfberry seedling is planted in a hole about 40 cm deep and about 50 cm wide. The distance between each goji berry bush should be at least 1.5 meters. The soil intended for filling the plant is mixed with a large amount of compost, about 8-10 kg (peat or humus is suitable) with the addition of 200 g of superphosphate and 40 grams of wood ash or potassium sulfate. The seedling should be buried a little, covered tightly with prepared soil, and watered well. Cover the surface of the ground around the seedling protective film or straw.
And valuable information for those who don’t have a summer house, but want to have their own goji berries. Planting and caring for this plant is also possible at home. To grow healthy berries At home you will need a large pot so that the powerful roots of goji can grow freely. For creating favorable conditions, you will need to provide the goji berry bush with plenty of light. The place in which the goji berry will grow, planting and caring for which is planned at home, should be located where the plant is not exposed to cold running air from a window or door and unnecessary high temperatures, for example, from a heating radiator or stove. Rules regular care for such an indoor bush are simple: do not apply at the same time as organic fertilizers mineral supplements, provide constant, but not too strong, watering. And it will be comfortable for the goji berry bush to “overwinter” at a cool temperature. Among the disadvantages of “homemade” goji - useful substances they will contain a minimum, much less than in a “country” copy.
Shrub care
The main advantage that goji berries have is that planting and caring for this plant is quite simple. Caring for wolfberry shrubs after planting is as follows:
- Water as needed, twice a week in dry times.
- You can feed the plant, but only during the growing season.
- If desired, to give an aesthetic appearance, you can trim the plant and trim the branches.
- For the winter, either carefully cover the goji with branches or transplant it into a deep container and send it to “winter” in the basement.
As you can see, it’s easy to grow goji. The berry, planting and caring for in the Moscow region, which is described in the article, is becoming increasingly popular among gardeners.
Harvesting: features
No less important information than growing goji berries, planting, care - how to pick ripe bright berries correctly. There is a peculiarity here. A shrub grown from seeds produces a harvest of goji berries only in the third or even fourth year after planting.
You only need to pick ripe berries when they have acquired the required bright red hue! Berries that are not ripe on the branch should absolutely not be eaten, as they can cause poisoning.
Additionally, contact of fresh goji with exposed skin should be avoided. If you pick berries with your bare hands, the juice getting on your skin can cause irritation and stain your hands when they oxidize. dark color. Most traditional way to harvest - shake the berries from the branches onto a spread cloth. If further processing of fresh berries is necessary, it is better to protect your hands with gloves.
How to store and eat ripe berries
To preserve the beneficial elements in the ripe berries, drying should be done only naturally, without separating the stalk, and placing the berries in the shade. Both the use of preservatives and the effect of oven drying or direct sunlight will negatively affect the quality of dried fruits.
A sign that the berry has dried to the desired state is peeling of the skin. After this, the goji must be separated from the stalk and placed in storage containers, and then kept in a dark, dry place.
It is important to remember that you should consume it immediately a large number of Goji berries are not safe - the body still has to get used to them. An “overdose” can result in dehydration and kidney problems. Safe daily dose of this herbal remedy – one tablespoon for an adult.
You can eat goji berries in any form. The easiest way is to brew the berries in a ratio of 1 tablespoon per 150 ml of boiling water. After 30 minutes, the drink is ready for use; it should be taken along with brewed berries.
Goji will also be an excellent addition to any dishes: soups, desserts, cereals, salads, sauces... In addition to berries, dried wolfberry root bark and dried leaves this bush. Despite miraculous properties goji, you should remember to take precautions, and before you start consuming the berries of this plant, consult a doctor and become familiar with the existing contraindications.
Recently, unusual goji berries have come into fashion. Some say that this is a 100% weight loss product. Others believe that these miraculous berries are a storehouse of useful and vital microelements. In this article we will learn not only about why this plant is so useful and valuable, but also about how to grow goji berries at your dacha.
Mysterious goji berries are called “dereza” in Russian and scientifically. Actually, only the fruits of goji berries can be considered Chinese wolfberry(Lycium chinense), or d. ordinary or barbaric(L. barbarum). People also call wolfberry wolfberry (but this name goes to a number of different plants, including non-poisonous ones like wolfberry), and wolfberry. You can often hear the name “Tibetan barberry”, but wolfberry and barberry (Berberis) are completely different plants from different families - do not confuse them! They may slip you barberry seedlings under the guise of goji. The name “Goji” came into English from Chinese dialects - this is what the dereza is called in China.
The Chinese wolfberry is native to the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, in northwestern China. It was she who gave rise to so many legends and rumors about long-lived monks.
The common wolfberry is practically not inferior to its commodity in properties, but its distribution area is wider - you can find this berry in the east and center of China, throughout Southeast Asia, and here too: in Central Asia, the Kuban, and Primorye , in the Caucasus, in Ukraine, in central Russia.
Dereza belongs to the nightshade family; it is a deciduous shrub, reaching three meters in height, with drooping, prickly branches and small leaves. The crown can reach up to 6 m in diameter. The root system is powerful with deep, strong roots that form many root shoots.
The plant, if cultivated, is quite decorative: the branches are a pleasant light yellow color, the leaves are light green on top and bluish below.
It will begin to bloom in June and will be pleasing to the eye until October. Pink, purple, sometimes even brown-violet flowers have a soft, pleasant scent.
The berries are oblong, orange, crimson-red in color, up to 2 cm in length, enveloping the shoot like a scattering. It will begin to bear fruit 3 years after planting, sometimes earlier.
Goji Reproduction
- Seeds- propagates well by seeds. They are sown in a greenhouse without stratification in the spring and left for the winter. When the seedlings begin to grow, the top of the shoot is pinched to make the bush thicker.
- Vegetatively- can be propagated by semi-lignified cuttings about 10 cm long, but you should make sure that there is old wood on the shoot. To do this, dip part of the cut in Kornevin and plant it in a greenhouse or under film in July-August. When propagated by lignified cuttings, it takes root faster. You can root in a cool place or a cool but insulated balcony from autumn until the end of winter.
In the Caucasus, dereza often reproduces by self-sowing.
Goji planting
For common wolfberry, the soil reaction can be slightly acidic-strongly alkaline, but in principle it can grow on any soil composition. For planting, preference should be given to sunny places. Dereza does not like stagnant water. The best time for planting is spring. Goji is rarely planted in autumn; it is akin to extreme gardening, because most often it can freeze out in winter. But there are also favorable outcomes for autumn planting in warmer regions. The tests were carried out at breeding grounds in St. Petersburg. With shelter in the cold winter it froze to the level of the root collar or to the end of the snow cover. Can tolerate cold temperatures down to -15°C. Many sources (German nurseries) say that even down to -25°C, but in the middle zone this is extremely risky. In the south of Russia it can winter without shelter.
We prepare a hole 50-60 cm wide and about 40 cm deep for a goji seedling. We place holes for several plants at a distance of 1.5-2 meters from each other. Add 150-200 g of superphosphate, 8-10 kg of compost (humus, peat), 30-40 g of potassium sulfate or wood ash to the soil for filling and mix thoroughly. The seedlings need to be buried a little. After planting, water thoroughly and mulch with peat or humus.
Goji care
Watering: You can water the wolfberry only after planting and not even more than 2 times a week, depending on the dryness of the summer.
Feeding: Dereza grows even on poor soils, but the best quality of fruits is observed on soils with average fertility. You can feed young plants during the growing season; they do not need further feeding.
Trimming: Goji tolerates haircuts and pruning well. New shoots will grow from old wood. In ornamental gardening, it tolerates shearing well even with special mechanical devices.
Shelter for the winter: In winter, goji can freeze out, to be sure to protect itself, many gardeners plant the plant in deep containers and store it in basements until spring. But there are also gardeners whose dereza does not freeze and, covered only with spruce branches and snow, overwinters until spring.
Medicinal properties of goji berries
Goji berries are believed to contain vitamin C, many different minerals and polysaccharides, B vitamins, and essential fatty acids. In addition, they contain a huge amount of proteins, thereby surpassing even grain crops. A decoction of goji berries tones the body, possibly due to its tonic properties in combination with proteins, and is used in Chinese folk medicine as a strong natural aphrodisiac. Scientific studies have indeed confirmed an increase in testosterone in the blood. Due to the high content of zinc and iron, they are often used for anemia. In combination with other herbs, they can be used as a remedy for chronic fatigue and improve immunity. Useful as a means of combating hypertension. In modern medicine, the antitumor properties of goji have not been confirmed. But it has been scientifically proven that a special polysaccharide has been isolated from wolfberry, which helps with the initial stages of diabetes.
Which parts of the plant should you use?
1. Goji berries usually used in dried form. You should not pick berries with your bare hands, as fresh juice from wolfberries can irritate your skin (much like the juice from fresh pineapple). It’s better to spread a cloth under the bush and knock the berries off the branches. The fruits should be harvested when they turn bright red and have reached full ripeness. Unripe fresh berries can cause poisoning. No wonder one of their names is wolfberry.
First you need to dry the berries, then separate them from the stalk. In order for the raw materials to acquire medicinal properties, the berries must be dried until the skin peels off. Drying can only be done naturally, without the use of ovens or preservatives.
2. Goji root bark- used for coughs, fevers, lowers cholesterol levels in the blood, and is also used as a diuretic and laxative. To obtain raw materials, you need to dig up the roots, wash them, remove the bark and dry them thoroughly in the sun. Then make decoctions from the bark.
From goji leaves They make invigorating teas.
Keep in mind that the Russian body, unlike the Chinese or Tibetans, is not characterized by a large consumption of goji berries. Our body is not able to immediately adapt to high consumption of fruits and other parts of this plant. In this regard, those who are heavily addicted to wolfberry may experience kidney problems and severe dehydration.
Goji berry varieties
The most famous in our time is the decorative variety ‘New Big’ (NEW BIG) - the brainchild of Polish selection. The fruits are round, large and sweet. It is an excellent honey plant and has good resistance to urban conditions (wind, heat, smoke). 
The other two varieties suitable for growing in the middle zone are goji ‘Lhasa’ and ‘Chinese goji’ (Lyciet). ‘Chinese Goji’ has a high yield and is mid-season. Goji ‘Lhasa’ begins to bear fruit early - already in the second year after planting, unlike other varieties that bear fruit in the 3rd-4th year. This is an early ripening variety with large berries.
Today, many hybrid varieties are also sold (the traits of which are mostly transmitted only through vegetative propagation, and not through seeds), for example, ‘NR1 Lifeberry’ - frost-resistant and resistant to diseases and pests.
I hope this article will help you grow such healthy and popular goji berries on your own dacha. Good luck!
The fashion for goji berries is growing at a tremendous speed. Some seek to demonstrate their effectiveness against excess weight, while others talk about the enormous beneficial properties and unique vitamin and nutritional composition that makes the berries almost a panacea for many diseases.
Botanical certificate
The question immediately arises: where do goji berries grow and what are they? The plant is a deciduous shrub belonging to the nightshade family. The plant is also called wolfberry (popularly, although it has nothing in common with them), red medlar, Chinese wolfberry, Chinese wolfberry, common wolfberry, wolfberry, Tibetan barberry. Homeland - Ningxia Hui (Tibet), China. The distribution area covers Southeast and Central Asia, the Caucasus, Primorye, central Russia, and Ukraine.
In adulthood, the height of the plant reaches 3 m, and the crown is 6 m in diameter (photos of the goji bush are presented). The branches are drooping and prickly, with small foliage, colored light green above and bluish below. The root is very powerful, growing into the ground, and not on its surface.
Flowering begins in June and continues until October with the blooming of purple, pink, brown-violet buds with a pleasant aroma.
At the end of flowering, oblong berries of purplish-red or orange color are formed.
It is strictly forbidden to eat fresh fruits, because they contain poisonous components. But after drying, the berries can be consumed.
Goji berries: planting and care in the Moscow region
This heat-loving plant, therefore, for excellent development of goji, care and cultivation must be optimal or close to it. In northern climates the weather is completely different and effort must be made to grow berries.
Selecting a location
The plant grows very quickly and at the same time has a well-developed root system. It should be planted either in areas devoid of vegetation, or along supports to create a hedge.
When choosing a place, you need to be extremely careful, because the wolfberry can “crush” nearby plants.
It is best to select sunny areas or located in slight shade. In addition, keep in mind that the height of the plant reaches three meters - take care of reliable support.
Temperature, humidity and soil requirements
As was said, dereza is frost-resistant and can withstand temperatures in the range from -26 to +40ºС. Special requirements There is also no relation to humidity. Tolerates drought calmly.
The shrub is not picky about the soil. Favorite substrates are alkaline and neutral. The plant can also be planted in acidic areas, but there it will develop somewhat worse.
The only thing that dereza does not tolerate is stagnation of water. Therefore, you should be very careful when watering and do not plant the plant in areas with rocky substrate.
Watering and fertilizing
Tibetan barberry is watered depending on its age. In the first year, watering should be no more than twice a week. As the plant grows, watering can be done less frequently and adjusted according to the weather and dryness.
Only young growth should be fertilized. For these purposes, superphosphate or humus is used. After developing into mature plant There is no need for fertilizing, since dereza feels great even on very poor lands.
Reproduction
Three methods are used for propagation.
Seminal
Seeds are taken from pre-dried berries. For getting seed material You should take dry fruits, soak them in water and, when they soften, remove the seeds. In order for them to germinate well, they need to be kept in a growth stimulator. Afterwards, sowing is carried out in a container with the mixture. ordinary land and peat in a ratio of 1:2, deepening into the substrate by 2-3 mm.
For supporting necessary conditions For germination, the container is covered with film and sent to a warm place, inaccessible to light. When the sprouts hatch, the box is taken out into the light and protected from cold and drafts. Watering is done from a spray bottle. 
After a week, the film can be removed, and when 3-4 leaves are formed, pick (transfer) the seedlings into separate pots (deep).
On permanent basis open ground The resulting goji seedlings, grown from seeds at home, are planted in the spring, when it is certain that frost will not return, or already at the beginning of summer.
Planting seedlings
This option is acceptable if you managed to buy goji seedlings grown at home, or you purchased planting material from hand
With this method, two weeks before planting, holes should be made 40-50 cm in size. If for the southern regions the “harvesting” is done in the fall, then for colder regions - in the spring. This will allow the plants to withstand frost well.
Coarse sand is poured into each hole and half filled with a substrate consisting of humus and fertile soil, 8 kg each. 30 g of potassium sulfate is also added there (can be replaced with a glass of wood ash), 0.15 kg of double superphosphate, mixed directly in the hole and the seedling is planted, sprinkled with fertile soil, and then watered. 
The tree trunk circle must be mulched using humus or peat.
The distance between copies must be at least 2 m.
Cuttings
Now we’ll tell you how to grow goji from cuttings. Cuttings of 10-12 cm each are cut from an adult plant. Then they are placed in a root-forming solution and planted for rooting in a constructed greenhouse and placed in a warm place. It is best to plant the material in late July - early August. In the spring, the root will grow enough to plant goji in open ground. Caring for a young plant is not much different from an adult one.
Pruning and wintering
The bush needs regular pruning. In the first years of growth, 3-6 of the strongest branches are planned. They are taken as a basis and a haircut is carried out around them. Then shoots capable of bearing fruit will begin to form on these main skeletal branches.
If the dereza is grown for decorative purposes, then choose one main shoot, drive in a long peg, and then carry out a “haircut”, trying to form a tree. The procedure is done as soon as numerous fruiting shoots appear and the total height of the plant exceeds 1.2 m.
To prevent freezing of the root system in winter time, the bush should be hilled up and mulched to a depth of 10-15 cm. The branches protect non-woven material(for example, agrofibre, lutrasil), folded in several layers, or with burlap. You can play it safe by additionally throwing spruce branches over the planting, and, as soon as the snow falls, make large snowdrifts.
Pests
The plant perfectly protects itself from pests. Nevertheless, for preventive purposes, the wolfberry tree should be regularly inspected for the appearance of any signs of diseases or pests. If this is the case, prune the affected parts and, if necessary, spray insecticidal preparations, diluting them in the amount specified by the manufacturer on the packaging. We must not forget that the treatment is done more than once, especially if the pest infestation is huge.
Application and storage
Collected fruits should be stored in a dry, dark place. If an infusion is being prepared, it should be kept only in a cool place and for no more than 2 days.
Goji berries are used not only for weight loss, but also as an ingredient in the preparation of wines, fruit purees, desserts, soups, baked goods, yoghurts, tea, juices, and cereals. The seeds are used to produce oil. Fresh berries have a nightshade note to their taste. But as soon as the fruits are frozen or dried, the taste disappears, and the berries acquire a taste similar to dried apricots.
In the garden, dereza is mainly planted to obtain useful harvest, as well as vegetable hedges. The plant is unpretentious and will not die if you do not water or apply fertilizer. But, when planning to plant goji berries on your plot, you should consider all the varieties in advance and choose the most suitable ones.
The berries are also widely used in medicine. So, they are taken for: back pain, diabetes, insomnia, anemia, obesity, excess cholesterol, problems with adenoids, vision problems, athletes thus restore their strength, etc.
As you can see, although goji berries are an exotic shrub, you don’t need to go to overseas countries or buy them at an incredible price. It is enough to follow some nuances, and you can easily grow a plant on your site and reap quite a considerable harvest.
Goji in the garden - video
Recently, people have been talking about goji berries everywhere, recommending them not only as a way to lose weight, but also to treat various diseases. You will learn right now how to grow this natural Tibetan healer in the country, how to collect the fruits, and why they are useful.
Shrub-type trees called goji berries first appeared in Tibet. Gradually, the plant spread far beyond its homeland. It can be grown in our country in many areas, with the exception of the northern ones. In the southern regions, and having the same temperatures as in the middle latitudes, the shrub will grow well, since it tolerates frosts down to 30°C well. The plant is resistant to weather vagaries, as it comes from mountainous regions where there are droughts and frosts, stormy winds, and prolonged downpours.
A fruit plant belonging to the Solanaceae family, to the genus Dereza. It grows culturally in Tibet, the Himalayas, and in China - in the Ningxia region. Sometimes found in Australia, Asia, America, North Africa. The goji berry bush bears fruit, depending on the region, in July - October or May - September. The most valuable harvest is considered to be in August.
Why grow goji berries?
The plant is quite unpretentious, not demanding soil composition and decorative. It blooms for a long time with purple-pink bell-shaped flowers, decorating gardens.
Its ripened fruits resemble an enlarged copy of sea buckthorn berries, but they are oblong, 1.2 cm long and Orange color more saturated. The branches of the goji bush, like those of sea buckthorn, are covered with thin spines.
An unformed shrub grows up to 3.5 meters. It can be planted along the fence and used as a hedge not only here, but also for dividing summer cottage to zones. Goji tolerates cutting well, so you can give the plant the desired shape.
Besides decorative qualities, this representative of the Tibetan flora is a natural healer. No wonder it is called a cure for 1000 diseases. Here are just some of the ailments for which goji berries are taken:
- anemia;
- back pain;
- violation of potency;
- diabetes mellitus;
- elevated cholesterol levels;
- visual impairment;
- insomnia;
- adenoids, diseases of the nasopharynx;
- obesity.
Attention! Fresh goji berries should not be consumed as they contain toxic substances. They must first be dried. How to do this and how to pick berries will be described below.
Video about the benefits of goji berries:
You can propagate the plant to plant in your garden not only by cuttings, but also by seeds. The second method is suitable for those who do not have seedlings, but have berries.
A plant grown in this way will bloom in the second year, and you will begin to collect massive harvests in 4-5 years. The seeds are located directly in the berry in quantities of up to 30 pieces.
If the berry was dried at a temperature not higher than + 50 ° C, then its seeds are viable. If you have fresh berries in front of you, use gloves to work with them, as the juice can burn your hands.
It is easier to extract them if you put the fruit of the plant in warm water. The removed seeds are placed on a damp cloth overnight. For better germination, it is better to soak them for 4 hours in one of the growth stimulants.
Then they are sown in well-drained soil of medium looseness, preferably neutral reaction. A mixture of loam and peat in a ratio of 2:1 is suitable.
Goji berry seeds should be sown on the surface, deepened into moist soil by only 2-3 mm, so that thin shoots can easily break through.
Goji seeds germinate at +20 - +25°C. It is important that the soil is moist, so cover the container with film or glass. Under such conditions, evaporation occurs more slowly.
When the seeds germinate, slightly open the film from the side of the room. If the soil is dry, spray it with water from a spray bottle, making a diffuse stream so as not to damage the seedlings. Remove all film after a week.
Goji seedlings dive when the second or third pair of leaves appears on them. Then plant each one in a separate pot. It should be at least 7 cm deep. If you germinate seeds in January-March, then in mid-May you can plant the plants in the garden. If you want to continue growing in room conditions, then you need to provide the goji bush with enough light, plant it in a large container, and keep it cool in winter - at a temperature of +10°C degrees. Feed home plant humus, a weak solution of mineral fertilizers.
Planting seedlings
If you want to grow goji berries with seedlings, then 2 weeks before planting you need to prepare holes with a diameter of 40 cm and a width and depth of 50 cm. In these you can plant purchased goji seedlings or those that you grew from seeds. In the southern regions, it is better to do this in the fall, and in cooler regions - in the spring, so that the plant is strong enough and can withstand frost well.
Coarse sand is poured into the bottom of the planting hole, then it is half filled with fertile soil and humus (8 kg each), add: 150 g of double superphosphate, 30 g of potassium sulfate or a glass of wood ash, mix thoroughly with a shovel. After this, the seedling is placed, raising the root collar to ground level, sprinkled with fertile soil and watered. The tree trunk circle is mulched with peat or humus. Seedlings must be placed at least 2 meters apart from each other.
How to propagate goji berries from cuttings
In July-August or at the end of April, carefully cut goji cuttings 10 cm long so that 1–2 cm of old wood remains on them. Moisten the bottom of the cuttings in water and dip their cut in “Kornevin” and plant it in the greenhouse. Plant rooted seedlings on permanent place, covering them with spruce branches for the winter.
In the first months, the plant develops slowly and resembles a tomato bush. small size. Then the goji grows more intensively, its branches become covered long leaves, at 2–3 years of its life the bush blooms.
How to care for goji berries
Pay special attention to care in the first year of the plant’s life. It needs to be watered infrequently, if there is no rain, periodically fertilize, pull out weeds, and loosen the soil around the trunk.
It is easier to pick berries from a low bush. But this way the goji fruits will be larger. Therefore, trim the branches to prevent the plant from becoming too tall.
This question interests many. The fact is that the juice of fresh fruits can cause skin irritation, like pineapple juice. Therefore, goji berries need to be collected in this way: spread a cloth under the bush and knock down the berries. In this case, it is better to wear gloves on your hands.
It is important to allow goji berries to ripen well on the bush; they should become bright red in color, as eating unripe fresh berries can cause poisoning.
The collected berries are dried in the shade without using an oven, and then they are then separated from the stalk. In order for them to acquire medicinal properties, the fruits must be well dried. This process is complete when the skin of the goji berries begins to peel off.
Video about growing goji berries at home and care:
It will take 6 minutes to read
Recently, a new product has appeared on the domestic market and has gained great popularity among consumers - goji berries. They contain a large amount of useful substances. They have been proven to be good remedy to combat excess weight.
Due to their high popularity, the price of these berries remains very high. More profitable and reliable way get goji berries by growing them on your own plot. This way you can be sure of their quality.
Features of the plant
It is a deciduous shrub with small leaves and spiny hanging branches, capable of reaching a height of 3 meters. The crown is very dense and can grow significantly in width. Wolfberry has a powerful root system with numerous root shoots.
Dereza vulgaris
It has a long flowering period - from June to October. The flowers are very small, purple, sometimes brown-violet with a delicate scent.
The plant begins to bear fruit upon reaching 3 years of age in the period from May to September-October, which allows up to 13 harvests to be collected in one year. Depending on the age of the plant, the harvest volume from one bush can vary from 1 to 10 kg. The berries are predominantly orange or deep red, oblong, up to two centimeters in length. The dried fruit tastes like raisins.
With proper cultivation, the plant can become a decoration of the garden, thanks to the colorful, rich colors of the leaves and branches.
Varieties
Miracle berries have a simple Russian name- Boxthorn. Goji berries are considered to be the fruits of only two species of this plant - Chinese and common wolfberry (Lucium chinense and Lucium barbarum).
Attention! Many people confuse these berries with barberry (Berberis), so caution should be exercised when purchasing seedlings.
The name "goji" has Chinese origin- in one of the dialects this is what dereza is called. The birthplace of the berries is northwestern China.
Dereza chinensis
Common wolfberry has similar properties, but is distributed over much larger territories - in Southeast and Central Asia, Primorye, Ukraine, central Russia, Kuban and the Caucasus.
Preparing for landing
There are two ways to grow such a shrub on your site:
- Seeds
- The tips of the shoots
- Root suckers
- Cuttings
Thanks to the thin shell, wolfberry seeds do not require pre-sowing treatment, dressing, scarification and have good germination.
Seeds must be extracted from ripe fruit and soak for 2 hours in zircon or epin. It is better to germinate them in a well-drained, medium-loose soil mixture. So, a mixture of crushed peat and loam in a 1:2 ratio is perfect.
Germination occurs by surface sowing in moist soil. Constant soil moisture should be maintained throughout the entire germination period.
Important! The air temperature in the room in which the seeds germinate must be constant. The maximum permissible fluctuations are 7-10°C.
The container with the seeds should be placed in a warm place, covered with film. Planting material should be protected from overheating by heat sources and hypothermia by cold air flows from the window.
Seeds germinate on average within 14 days. After the sprouts appear, the container with them should be moved to partial shade or to a source of diffused light.
After the true leaves appear, the seedlings must be transplanted into deep (up to 7 cm) separate pots. At the stage of active growth of the seedling, its top is pinched, which will ensure the density of the bush in the future.
Before planting, you can adapt the sprouts by dipping their root system into a nutrient solution for a couple of days.
Planting wolfberry cuttings
By digging in the tops of the shoots or lower branches, you can root them and get a new plant. A rooted plant should be cut off from the mother plant before frost sets in.
Another way to get goji berries is by growing semi-lignified cuttings with old wood. Vegetative way Mostly hybrid varieties are grown.
The optimal length of the cutting is 10 cm. To speed up rooting, the cut must be dipped in the root. In July-August, planting material is planted under film or in a greenhouse. It is better to provide a cool place for rooting cuttings. The rooting period lasts from early autumn to early spring. An insulated balcony may be suitable for this purpose.
IN natural conditions Shrub propagation occurs by self-sowing.
The shrub grows well in any soil, but it is most comfortable in slightly acidic to highly alkaline soil.
For planting, you must choose a sunny place.
Landing
It is best to plant shrubs in spring. After autumn planting there is a high probability of shrubs freezing in winter.
Goji berries - bloom
A hole up to 40 cm deep and up to 60 cm wide should be prepared for the seedling. When planting several plants between the holes, a distance of 1.5-2 meters must be maintained. For planting, you can prepare a special soil mixture. To do this, mix in equal proportions coarse river sand, peat and garden soil.
It is better to fill the seedlings with a special mixture consisting of soil, 10 kg of humus, 200 g of superphosphate and 40 g of potassium.
When planting, it is advisable to deepen the seedlings a little.
Advice! Dereza is a cross-pollinating plant and to ensure bountiful harvest It is necessary to plant at least 2 bushes.
After planting, the bush is watered abundantly. The soil should be mulched with peat or humus.
Further care
In the first years, the shoots are very thin and may fall to the ground. To avoid this, you need to install a trellis or support.
Water the plants depending on the dryness of the summer, but not more than 2 times a week. The bush needs abundant watering only during the growth of shoots, at the stage of flowering, fruiting and berry picking.
Attention! Dereza reacts poorly to stagnant water.
The shrub responds well to pruning and trimming, even with mechanical devices. New shoots will grow from old wood.
At low temperatures young plant may freeze out. This can be avoided if the shrub is planted in a deep container for the winter and stored in the basement until spring. After the second year of life, wolfberry can withstand temperatures down to -30°C.
The shrub exhibits high resistance to pests and diseases and does not need to be treated with pesticides. In extreme cases, problems may arise with powdery mildew and aphids. You can fight them by spraying the plant with wormwood infusion.
Few people know this way to get goji berries, how to grow them in own home like a houseplant. In this case, in winter he needs to be provided with a cool place with an air temperature within +10°C. Due to the long root system, the plant can only be planted in deep containers. When watering, it is necessary to avoid drying out.
Important! When growing wolfberry indoors, you need to provide it with plenty of light.
Fertilizer application
Only young plants are fed during the growing season; there is no need to apply fertilizers in the future.
Fertilizing is needed only for those plants that grow in the house. It should be fertilized in the same way as other plants, alternating organic matter and mineral fertilizers.
Medicinal properties
Wolfberry fruits contain a large amount of polysaccharides, B vitamins, vitamin C, more than 20 minerals, 18 amino acids. Thanks to these properties, berries can be used to boost immunity and relieve chronic fatigue.
Goji berries
Berries contain more proteins than grains. In combination with the tonic effect they have on the body, berries can be used as a powerful aphrodisiac.
Important! Only dried ripe berries can be eaten. Eating unripe fresh fruits can lead to poisoning.
Goji berries have become very popular as a means of losing weight. beneficial features which are aimed at accelerating metabolism.
Advice! Those who have never consumed berries should not start doing so abruptly. In an unprepared body, after heavy consumption of plant parts and fruits of wolfberry, severe dehydration and kidney problems may occur.