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Gogi Berry

historymanhistoryman Posts: 141
in Fruit & veg
Goji berries (Lycium Barbarum), aka Chinese Wolfberry or Duke of Argyll’s tea-tree, 

Several names to this plant - so listed them all  -
I bought a plant 3 years ago and the label said will fruit in 2 - 3 years but so far nothing. Has anyone had any luck with this plant?
Thanks
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Posts

  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Planted two tiny specimens at our allotment in February.  They looked pitiful, and we had almost given up on them, but they are finally showing signs of life and growth.  A fellow plotholders said she had tried to grow them but given up.

    Are they growing and looking healthy?  Have you got them in a position with sufficient sunlight?  If so, I would be patient, and make sure to give them a weekly feed from Spring to Autumn.  
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Tried and gave up on those - sprawling untidy growth and when they did eventually start fruiting (about 5yo), it was sporadic and with only a few fruit.  I removed them but still have them, as they seem to have the ability to come back from pieces of root.
    Not exactly a five star review, is it?! :D
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • historymanhistoryman Posts: 141
    Thank you, plant is looking healthy I will give it a chance.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    My daughter grew one in her garden but gave it to me because it did not fruit, she grew it for about 5 years. I planted it and after another 5 years held a bonfire on top of it. Very spiny stems, suckers every where, lots of miniscule flowers in August but no fruit. My daughter is still digging out the remnants of her attempt. I am in Cornwall so thought the climate would suit it, it grew vigorously and seemed very happy but what a thug.Bin it!
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    It's funny how they only became a plant anyone here would try to grow because of the whole superfoods trend nonsense. And of course the wholesalers saw a great opportunity to flog more plants presumably knowing too well they wouldn't be productive in our climate. That said...I'll be hopefully tasting the first crop of my Chilean Guava a year after I rescued a dried out reduced plant at Dobbies 😂
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • spookessspookess Posts: 63
    edited September 2020
    I have had one growing in a large container, since May this year. Something is eating through the leaves (can’t see what though), and despite a massive growth spurt for first few months - which I have weaved through a trellis inserted in 3 sides of the square container (as when it does fruit, sun needs to get to the fruit or they will be incredibly bitter - also makes it easier to harvest 🤞) growth has now slowed. I have read several stories recently online about people who have grown them for 3 or 4 years, had minimal harvest of about 1tbsp per week, so transplanted them to the bottom of the garden out of the way and just left them alone. They have then produced lots of fruit. If mines doesn’t show positive signs in next 3 years, I will be doing just that. Worth a try after spending time and effort on it. 
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    My mum used to take loads of 6 inch stem cuttings and stick them into the soil and they root easily. Doesn’t take up a lot of space. Easily pulled up and replaced with new cuttings. 

    Then throughout the year she would just strip the leaves and use them in dishes and to flavour soups. They cook easily like spinach and taste between spinach and watercress. I think far more productive way of getting something from this plant that would be less reliable at producing berries.
  • historymanhistoryman Posts: 141
    Thank you Borderline, I did not know you could use the leaves also. I will try cuttings in  another part of garden and hopefully have more luck. Thanks again.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    Beware the goji berry plant. There was a discussin recently about this thug of a plant. My daughter bought one as a miracle health fruit. She had it in her garden for about 5 years before giving it to me. It grew rapidly and spread by suckers, not a single fruit. When I took it on it did the same, loads of tiny fuschia species like flowers in August but 4 years down the line, not a single fruit. I ended up having a bonfire on top of it as well a a copious spray of glyphosate weedkiller which did kill it. My daughter is still digging out runners, 9 years later from planting it. It has viscious spines as well. It is a desert plant so can withstand low temperatures as well as heat.
    Be warned and good luck.
  • historymanhistoryman Posts: 141
    Thank you Joyce Golden Lily.
    I really need to give some serious thought to whether or not to keep this "thug". Bit concerned if I do  keep it  it will then prove to be a problem to get rid of. It seems it will be years before I get any berries anyway. 
    Thank for your input.

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