Popular superfood Goji berries provide several health advantages including high quantities of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Smoothies, drinks, and snacks sometimes feature these little, red, rather sweet fruits. Growing your own Goji berry plants at home is a terrific approach to consume Goji berries fresh if you love them. Apart from having fresh fruit right at hand, cultivating it is simple and fulfilling. Heres a basic approach to get you going cultivating Goji berries in your own yard or even in containers.
Goji berries, also known as wolfberries, have become an increasingly popular superfood due to their exceptional nutrient density and health benefits. Though traditionally grown in the ground, goji berries can also be successfully cultivated in pots and containers.
Container gardening offers many advantages for growing goji berries. It allows you to provide optimal growing conditions, protect the plants from pests, easily move them to take advantage of sunlight, and bring them indoors when temperatures drop. With the right setup and care, container-grown goji berry plants can yield abundant, sweet, and nutritious fruits for many years.
Selecting the Right Pot and Location
When choosing a container for goji berries, aim for the largest pot size possible, at minimum 10 gallons. Goji plants need ample room for their roots to spread and flourish. The pot should have drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. For the growing medium, use a loose, sandy soil amended with 1/3 compost or manure to provide nutrients.
Situate the pot where it will receive full sun for at least 6-8 hours per day. Afternoon shade is beneficial in hot climates above 90°F. Shelter the container from strong winds which can damage branches.
Acquiring Goji Berry Plants
You can grow goji berries from seeds but this will delay fruiting. For quicker harvests purchase young potted goji plants from a nursery. Look for compact, prolific varieties suitable for containers like Sweet Lifeberry, Crimson Star, or Phoenix Tears.
When transplanting, carefully handle the root ball to avoid disturbing it. Plant at the same depth as the original container, then water well to reduce transplant shock.
Caring for Goji Berry Container Plants
Goji berry plants need consistent moisture, so check soil daily and water when the top few inches become dry. Use drip irrigation if possible for thorough watering.
Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer, Gojis are light feeders but need some nutrients to fruit well
In late winter, prune back excessive branches to open the canopy and improve air circulation and productivity. Gojis don’t require heavy pruning.
Bring containers indoors before frost as temperatures below 40°F will cause leaves to drop and plants to go dormant. Resume conservative watering when growth resumes in spring.
Repot in fresh soil every 2-3 years to provide nutrients and room for root growth. Carefully loosen bound roots before moving to a larger pot.
Pollinating and Harvesting Container Gojis
Goji flowers are self-fertile but benefit from assistance with pollen transfer. Gently shake flowers daily to promote good fruit set.
Berries start ripening in summer. Pick individually when fully red by gently twisting off the stem. Harvest every 2-4 days for optimal flavor and to prevent molding.
Expect 1-2 pounds of berries per mature plant. Productivity depends on pot size, care, and pruning. Store freshly picked berries in the fridge or dry for longer storage.
Troubleshooting Common Goji Berry Problems
Slow growth – Indicates too small a pot, insufficient light, or under-watering. Transplant to a larger pot, move to a sunnier location, and water regularly.
Few flowers/berries – Can be caused by extreme heat, overfeeding, overpruning, and inadequate pollination. Provide some shade, reduce fertilizer, allow more branches, and hand pollinate.
Wilting – Overwatering is a common cause of wilting. Allow soil to dry out adequately between waterings and improve drainage.
Dropping leaves – Natural in fall when goji berry plants become dormant. Bring containers indoors once night temperatures approach freezing.
Berry mold – Excess moisture and dense foliage encourages rot. Improve air circulation through pruning and cautious watering. Pick berries promptly when ripe.
Pests – Aphids, mites, and leafhoppers can be controlled with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oils. Inspect regularly and treat early.
With attentive care and protection from temperature extremes, container-grown goji berry plants can provide a productive harvest of sweet, nutrient-packed berries for many years. Follow these guidelines for optimal results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Goji Berries in Containers
What size container do I need?
Use a minimum 10-gallon pot, but larger is better to allow unrestricted root growth. Goji plant size and fruiting are limited by the container dimensions.
What type of soil should I use?
A loose, well-draining blend of potting mix amended with compost or manure works well. Add 1/3 sand or perlite to improve drainage.
How much sun do goji plants require?
At least 6 hours of direct sun daily is ideal. Offer some afternoon shade if summertime temperatures exceed 90°F.
How often should I fertilize my potted goji plant?
Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during the active growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Avoid overfeeding which can reduce fruiting.
When do I bring my container goji plant indoors?
Move pots into a sheltered spot outdoors or indoors before the first frost date. Temperatures below 40°F will cause goji plants to drop leaves and go dormant.
How can I revive an old, unproductive goji berry plant?
Cut all branches back to 6 inches in early spring to stimulate fresh, vigorous new growth. This rejuvenation pruning will restore productivity.
Why are my goji plant’s leaves turning yellow?
This often signals overwatering or poor drainage. Check soil moisture before watering and amend the potting mix if it stays soggy after irrigating.
Growing goji berries in containers is simple and rewarding. Follow proper planting, care, and harvesting techniques for a plentiful yield of sweet, super-nutritious goji berries from your own patio or balcony. With the right container setup and practices, fresh gojis can be enjoyed steps from your door.
Choosing the Right Goji Berry Plant
Before you begin, you’ll need to choose the right Goji berry plant. You can buy Goji berry seeds at farms or on the internet. Make sure the plants you pick are healthy and dont have any signs of sickness or bugs. You can grow Goji berries from seeds, yes. The plants might take longer to bear fruit, though.
The Lycium barbarum variety is the most common type of Goji berry plant. The Lycium chinense variety is more small and hardy. Some people like the Lycium barbarum variety because its berries are bigger. Be sure to pick a plant type that will grow well in the room and weather where you will be growing it.
You can grow goji berry plants in the ground or in pots, so they can be used in both big fields and small areas like patios or porches. Just make sure the spot gets a lot of sun and has dirt that doesnt stay soggy.
Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Goji Berries
Choose a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of straight sunshine every day so that your goji berry plants can grow well. Since they like dirt that doesnt stay soggy, stay away from places where water tends to gather. The soil should have a pH level between 6.5 and 8.0, which is slightly alkaline.
If you’re growing Goji berries in pots, make sure the containers have drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom. Pick a pot that is 18 to 24 inches across so that the fruit plant has room to grow.