7. Pruning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re growing your goji berry plant from seeds, it can take years before your plant is going to need any official pruning. Of course, if you instead choose to get your goji berry plant going from an existing three-year plant instead, the pruning phase can start off a few weeks after you\u2019ve put your plant into the ground \u2013 although not too soon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s usually best for gardeners to develop a natural feel for when to prune their plants instead of relying on a set schedule to do it. Take a closer look at the plants and prune away any leaves that are dying off \u2013 this is more likely to happen after the plant has born fruit around the time the seasons change, but can sometimes happen at any point through the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t over-prune your goji berry plant; this is just as bad as letting it waste energy by under-pruning. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n8. Harvesting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHarvesting is the part that gardeners spend most of the year waiting for, and it\u2019s why many gardeners choose to plant stronger plants that are closer to the flowering stage rather than planting their goji berries from seeds instead. When harvesting from goji berry plants, you want to do this based on how the berries feel \u2013 you\u2019re looking for a firm berry on the plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the berries have gone soft, then you might notice that you have left them on for too long. These can be discarded, but can also be turned into jams or preserves if they are on the soft side that aren\u2019t suitable for anything else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you\u2019ve harvested from your goji berry plant, it\u2019s an ideal time to also trim the plant to ready it for the next growth phase. Sometimes people in colder areas might prefer to move their plants or span netting to protect them from the cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n9. Growing Goji in Pots <\/h3>\n\n\n\n You can grow your goji in pots as well. Similar to raspberries, goji berries like to produce a long taproot, so you\u2019ll need a minimum 5-gallon container to accommodate the root structure. Growing your goji in containers will result in a smaller plant, but you get the benefits of reducing the chance of developing disease or pests in the plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We recommend that you try using a material pot. Standard pots come from plastic, and as a result of the solid barrier around the container, the plant does not get much airflow to the roots, slowing growth. Material pots allow air to reach the root system, encouraging the rapid growth of the goji bush. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gojis planted in pots will still finish at the same time as those planted in the ground. However, you can also transplant goji bushes from the material pots into raised beds as well, the airflow makes the transition easy for the plant, speeding up its recovery from the stress of the transplant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n10. Transplanting Tips <\/h3>\n\n\n\n Transplanting goji berries requires a green thumb and a proven strategy to reduce stress on the plant. Before your transplant, prepare the flower bed to receive the plant. Dig a hole the same size as the material pot housing the goji bush. Sprinkle the bottom of the hole with mulch, and add some enzymes and beneficial bacteria to the soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remove your goji from the material pot by loosening the roots – to do this, fold in the sides of the container. Then, place the stem of the bush between your index and middle finger, and turn the plant upside down. The material pot should pull off easily, allowing you to plant the goji in its new home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s best to do transplants on cloudy days when it\u2019s raining. Transplanting in the hot sun will increase stress on the goji bush. Always remember to water the plant thoroughly after transplanting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n11. Threats to Goji Berries <\/h3>\n\n\n\n Insects and birds can devastate your goji berry bush if you don\u2019t take care of it throughout the season. To protect your crop, cover the bushes with mesh netting to prevent birds from eating your berries. Most local gardening supply stores will have a range of nets to suit your garden and your plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We recommend you go for the plastic netting, as we find it lasts longer than chicken wire. However, make sure that your mesh has enough space in-between the grid to allow for pollinators to enter and feed off of the plant. It\u2019s best if you wait till after pollination to set up your mesh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Goji berries are a favorite food of deer, rabbits, and chickens, that will do anything they can to get a hold of your gojis, right as they are ready to harvest. Set up a sturdy fence around your veggie garden to prevent deer and other animals from entering the growing area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n12. Goji Berry Disease <\/h3>\n\n\n\n Goji berry bushes are not for the amateur gardener. This tropical berry tends to experience disease easily, and it’s challenging to help them recover from issues like powdery mildew. If you notice that your plants look like someone broke into your veggie patch and went wild with a bottle of talcum powder \u2013 then you have a powdery mildew problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this case, it’s best to rent a blower from your garden service store, and dose your plants with sulfur to remove the mold. Anthracnose is another fungus that attacks the berries as they start to ripen, resulting in the development of a circular spot on the surface. As the disease progresses, the affected area starts to sink. Eventually, the spot turns dark, and the fruit begins to rot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avoid watering your plants overhead, as this strategy may cause the onset of mildew. Always clear your garden of all plant debris, as many fungi can overwinter the season by hiding in dead plant debris. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n13. Why is My Goji Not Producing Berries? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n The growing season is coming to a close, and your goji bush is still not producing fruit \u2013 what gives? There are a variety of reasons why your bush may not be bearing berries this season. The first and most obvious reason is that goji does not bear fruit in their first season, the plants only start producing berry\u2019s in the second or third year after planting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s for this reason that expert growers purchase 3-year old goji bushes for transplanting into the garden. Using this strategy allows you to benefit from a berry harvest, and it also helps you to avoid the growing pains associated with rearing goji from seed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Goji bushes also require full sun to bear fruit, so if you have your plant in a shady area, transplant it into the light. Soil pH is also a significant concern. Take a sample of your soil to a nursery for analysis, goji grow best in soil with a pH of between 6.8 and 8.1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n14. Drying Goji Berries <\/h3>\n\n\n\n As the season comes to an end, it\u2019s time to harvest your goji. The flowers of the tree start to turn into berries at the end of the summer, continuing into the late weeks of the fall. It\u2019s easy to damage goji when picking them from the tree, and unripe berries won\u2019t have the same sweet flavor as finished berry\u2019s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, you can use this tip for harvesting your goji \u2013 place a plastic sheet around the base of the tree, and give the stem a good shake. The action will cause all the ripe berries to fall to the floor, where you can easily scoop them up off of the plastic. Continue this practice of shaking the tree every day, until all of the berries have fallen from the branches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can eat the berries fresh, or leave them to dry out in the sun. Sundried goji are fantastic in trail mix for a healthy snack that gives you plenty of energy throughout the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n