Goji Berries - easy to grow?

arkonite_babe

I'm starting goji berry seed that I got free in Julian Graves. It says on my packet if growing seed to start them off in cheshunt compound. This is because they have a tendency to rot before germination.

They are hardy and supposed to yield a good crop once established.

Farway

arkonite_babe wrote: »

I'm starting goji berry seed that I got free in Julian Graves. It says on my packet if growing seed to start them off in chestnut compound. This is because they have a tendency to rot before germination.

They are hardy and supposed to yield a good crop once established.

I think that should be cheshunt compound, not chestnut, just in case anyone gets confused when looking for it

This may also be pertinent to goji seed / organic
http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=1774.0

elliep_2

I'm quite tempted to grow some goji berries but before I run away with myself, What do the fresh berries taste like?

I tried dried ones quite a long time ago but I wouldn't want to guess what a grape tasted like based on the memory of a rasin!

Also, if I start them off in cheshunt compound, how long should they stay in that? should they then go into multipurpose compost? Do I just do that when they're big enough to be repotted and put the ball of cheshunt into multipurpose?

daska

I feel confused... isn't cheshunt compound a soluble fungicide?

elliep_2

A quick look on google reveals that you are right, it is a soluable fungicide.

How can you grow a seed in something soluable? do you grow it in compost and water it with fungicide?

arkonite_babe

Farway wrote: »

I think that should be cheshunt compound, not chestnut, just in case anyone gets confused when looking for it

This may also be pertinent to goji seed / organic
http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=1774.0

I just went and read the packet again....................... you're right!!

Money_maker

elliep wrote: »

I'm quite tempted to grow some goji berries but before I run away with myself, What do the fresh berries taste like?

Pretty grim but then I find redcurrants and blackcurrants a little sour to eat fresh.

I got my bush last year, has fruited prolifically. Flowers are attractive. Believe it can grow quite big, though.

JaySL

Thanks surfsister for the info on how to grow them and the useful link.

I feel more confident now of growing one. For those who are interested in starting off with a small plant rather than seeds, there is a half price Goji berry plant (9 cm pot ) for £2.95 at J.parker in the spring catalogue or www.jparkers.co.uk

I have not seen any offer of free Goji Berry bush lately. Has anyone?

JaySL

supers

3 free goji berry plants just pay p/p £4.52p https://www.thesun.co.uk/plantoffers25

furndire

After reading that someone had grown some Goji berries from dried fruit bought from Julian Graves, I thought I would have a try.
Tried them in four different ways.
1 The quickest germination, which produced the most seedlings was by soaking the dried fruits, and then removing the seeds from the flesh. (you then don't waste the fleshy bits). I have got dozens of little seedlings now. You only need to use 3 or 4 berries this way
2, Just planted as they were - a few have grown
3, soaked fruit, and planted them -
4, put some in the fridge and then planted them, (didn't work) thought they may need a quick start as some bulbs do
.