Wolfberry

[TastyofHasty]

Anybody know whether wolfberry will make it through the winter in a pot outside?

I have quite a few little wolfberry plants grown from seed since this spring ... Wolfberry (lycium barbarum) ... also known as "goji berry." Here's what I've found out about 'em so far ...

Seeds are in @ 1/2" long red fruits when they arrive. In early spring, soak the fruits about 2 days in water; they will swell up like raisins. Prepare some little pots with potting soil. With a tiny sharp knife, slice open one side of each soaked fruit and swipe out a few seeds at a time (there are MANY seeds in each fruit). Swipe the teensy seeds onto the potting soil in the pots ... push down into the dirt about 1/8", firm dirt on top. I got many little plants from seed from only four fruits. Don't plant the whole fruits, swipe the seeds out of the fruit before planting. Soil should be barely damp ... under fluorescent/grow lights (with mirror to reflect light, occasional fan) ... mine germinated fairly quickly as I recall, but can't remember how many days. Temp in the house was about 70F, I think. Grow under fluorescent/grow lights till warm enough to put outside. I put mine on the deck, first directly out in the sun ... but noticed the ones growing best were under about 60% shade here in NW Arkansas. (I was growing osage orange trees in pots ... the ones in their shade were doing best). Also the ones that grew best were kept quite dry; the ones that I watered a lot (that stayed damp) stayed tiny. I've moved 'em all into shade now, under a maple tree on the deck.

So now I'm wondering what to do for winter. I saw on one webpage that they will tolerate temps from -27C to 39C ... that equals -16F to 102.2F. So seems like they will make it through the winter. I think I'll plant a few of them in the ground and keep the rest in their pots (they've been transplanted from their original tiny pots to bigger ones). Unless somebody who knows more than me might have some advice??

[tashak]

Thanks for the growing instructions! I've got a tiny old packet of them lurking somewhere.

[TastyofHasty]

:D Tashak, you're welcome! I have found it extremely hard to find growing instructions for wolfberry on the net! ... just pick up a hint here and there ... and put 'em together. So far I've just been growing the plants in pots on the deck. They range in size (now) from about 1" tall (hardly grew at all!) to vines about 12" long. That tells me I did wrong with some, and right with some. I think the ones that got left in the sun got too close to that 102F limit ... plus, I transplanted at various times ... they seem to like getting into bigger pots. The biggest one is in an 8" clay pot now.

[justdoit]

Tasty... how have the Wolf Berries done for you. A friend gave me some Goji berry seed, yesterday. I don't know the source, but these had been separated from the fruit already. I have been doing some searching and found that some sites give the name as Lycium Eleagnus Barbarum, and claim it is the true Tibetan Goji berry. I had an old neighbor with a saying that may cover this sort of situation... "ever body thinks their crow is the blackest." LOL Thanks for the seed starting info. I knew there would be some sort of info on this forum.

[TastyofHasty]

justdoit, something ate some of my wolfberry vines ... they just either disappeared, or I'd find a snipped-off or uprooted length of vine lying next to its pot ... but the rest are doing okay. I put one in the "dome greenhouse" until shortly before Christmas, then brought it inside into a sunny window, and it's still got leaves now. The others I left outdoors. I THINK they are okay, too. We shall see as it gets warmer whether they get leaves.

I remember reading a Tibetan webpage about their wolfberry "goji" being the "real" goji. I got my wolfberry fruits (that the seeds are in) from
http://www.sandmountainherbs.com/wolfberry_chinese.html

Here's a couple shots from 2/2/06, (first starting wolfberry seed), and 4/8/06, (little plants are well started).

[justdoit]

Decided my seed starting medium was finally thawed out, so brought some in and sterilized it in the oven. (The Gojis are getting more attention than I would normally give) They are planted... I'll move them on to the unheated greenhouse as soon as they germinate. They must be pretty tough to suvive the winter outside in a pot. I read somewhere that they needed to be kept in the greenhouse the first winter, so I'll be anxious to hear if they survived the cold. If so, mine will be going directly into the ground. Thanks!

[dirtundernails]

Tasty, it was the cat that did that to mine. I had it inside in a big pot, and found it chewed off and on the ground.

[TastyofHasty]

Mine was inside wire fencing on our deck ... I thought it might have been a bird ... but it COULD have been the cat. There are so many things that can "get" a plant if it TASTES GOOD. I suspect even naked, dormant wolfberry vines MAY taste good to something out there.

[justdoit]

Gojis are coming up...dang they are fine little things. Bad timing... my grow lights decided to act up and it's cold and dreary, but I had to move them to the greenhouse anyway. Hope they don't get too leggy... maybe the cooler temps will slow them down a bit.

[dandelion meadow]

Thank you, Tasty. I ordered a live plant last year from Burnt Ridge. They describe this as an 8 ft. shrub, sun loving, pref. well drained soils, drought tolerant once established. This one didn't grow vine like at all. Am concerned about effects of early Dec. ice and cold after weekss of spring like weather. Am glad to know about the seeds. Much more affordable! Good luck with these.

[TastyofHasty]

Dandelion Meadow, not only did I grow from seeds ... I ordered two plants from Burnt Ridge, too. Left one outside my dome greenhouse, one inside, over the winter. The one that was left inside currently has leaves (I brought it inside when it got really cold, around Christmas, I guess). It's now in my sunny bay window. The one that was left outside is still outside ... hasn't shown any leaves YET. But I'm watching.

And a couple of the plants from seed are still outside in pots on the deck. I'm watching those, too ... one was totally dry this morning AGAIN. Hope it didn't expire for lack of WATER in its pot! We shall see.

[dandelion meadow]

Oh. how fun! Will look forward to hearing your results. My outdoor one still is bare as can be.

[justdoit]

Tasty, 15 of my seed germinated. How much growth do they make in one year? I hate this draggy stage they go through before getting the first true leaves. I keep wanting to give them a shot of fish fert. to kick start them. ;O)

[TastyofHasty]

justdoit, the amount of growth varied tremendously on different plants, depending on what I did with them. I did notice they do NOT like being in wet soil ... the ones kept fairly dry did best. They also do NOT like being in full sun. The ones in "dappled shade" under our big maple tree but with some sun, did best. The one that grew the most was about a foot tall by summer's end. The little plants finally send out a little viney stem with small "knots" for leaves.

[TastyofHasty]

Here are three shots:
1) Wolfberry grown from seed and left outside on the deck, as of today;

2) Wolfberry bought at Nursery, left outside over the winter, as of today;

3) Wolfberry bought at Nursery, left in solar greenhouse over the winter, then brought into the house around Christmas when it began to get really cold at night, as of today.

:D

[dandelion meadow]

Yesterday morning,Thursday, I could see little green buds on the thin little branches of the plant outside. Spring, glorious spring!

[TastyofHasty]

Here are two shots ...

1) Wolfberry from Burnt Ridge that got left outside over the winter, now leafing out;

2) Wolfberry from Burnt Ridge that got brought inside the dome greenhouse, then inside the house, over the winter, now outside for the first time this year ...

I don't think the little wolfberry plants I raised from seed and left outside on the deck made it! I should have brought them IN for their first winter. They are not producing leaves that I can see yet, anyway.

[TastyofHasty]

One little wolfberry grown from seed is now putting out tiny leaves! Yippee!

[justdoit]

My little seedlings are all continuing to do well. Nice dark green color and several leaves. I need to pot up soon.

[dirtundernails]

So... any new reports? I'm about to plant seed, and truly appreciate this thread. Still no good growing info on the web, just "Buy my superior product"!

Thanks,
dun

[winter_unfazed]

Wolfberry is reliably hardy to zone 6, and has been reported to survive zone 4 winters in some cases.

[TastyofHasty]

I just planted the one left outside over the winter in the earth near a small "manchurian apricot" tree that will hopefully give it SOME shade in August/September! I put its pot right over it for tonight (going down to 34F)(again). The one from seed that was putting out leaves DID survive. The one with the greenest, healthiest looking leaves is the one that spent the winter in greenhouse/inside the house; it is still in its pot ... inside the house!

Justdoit, if you read this ... how're yours doing?

[justdoit]

Tasty, all 15 made it. I took 8 of them to the fellow who gave me the seed. He was still struggling with his. I discovered the same thing you did... keep them on the dry side. One little bit of info I found on the net was that they make long heavy masses of roots. I suspect they will do better in tall pots like they grow trees in. Also, if you want them to branch and become bushy for more fruit production, nip the top out after the third set of leaves. Mine are just recovering from that treatment. It takes time to mature a dormant (or is it undifferentiated) bud and get on with it.

[dandelion meadow]

Woe. My one woldbberry plant that was leafing out so bravely and putting forth new (tender) branches was hit hard by that series of below freezing nights we had. Inches of new growth on stems has wilted and all most all leaves turned brown. Am just hoping for survival. I think we generally had colder temps than those in other parts of SW MO. Also, for some reason, this little patch of north facing hill seems to have fared worse than a few streets away down by the river in town.

[TastyofHasty]

Dandelion Meadow, I know the feeling! Let us know how it does! I cut about 4" - 5" off the very ends of some of the vine that had frozen.

[TastyofHasty]

Here is a pic of the wolfberry that got planted outside in April. It seems to be enjoying this hot dry weather (though I put some grass clipping mulch around it.)

[dandelion meadow]

Tof H : What a little sweetie! Good for you!
My one plant did live, though flea beetles took a toll earlier.

Just Do It - thanks for the tip. Mine is growing quite spindly. May try pruning next year.

[TastyofHasty]

Dandelion Meadow, congratulations! The plant in the latest pic I posted on here is taking a beating now, mid-August, from the heat and drought. I have not been watering (much) ... haven't watered the wolfberry in a couple weeks at least. Some of its leaves have dropped off, and others turned yellow. But it's still alive. I'm glad I planted it where it gets a bit of shade from the nearby (otherwise worthless) "Manchurian Apricot." BTW ... have never seen any fruit on any of the several Manchurian Apricots I planted in 2004. They are now good-sized trees. pooey on Manchurian Apricots. They look like what in Southern Louisiana are called "chicken trees," and are cut down as weeds.

[TastyofHasty]

The planted wolfberry is doing great, thought I'd post an updated picture. Also, late last summer I took a long branch, wounded the part to go underground, buried it a couple of inches underground, put dirt, a piece of cardboard, and a big rock on top of the buried part, with the top of the branch still sticking out of the dirt (also known as "layered it") ... that part is to the left side of the pic; the top part of the branch is well leafed out and I suspect there are new roots formed under there. Later this spring, I'll try taking a shovel and chopping it off the main plant to transplant to another somewhat shady spot.

[dandelion meadow]

Hey, Tasty, thanks for reminder of how to layer! Glad your little one is thriving!

It's a bit late to report this, but mine blossomed last fall. When our first freezes hit, the fruit were a bright orange-red. I ate a few one day and got a slight tummy ache...either they weren't ripe or letting them freeze and thaw a week on the bush wasn't the best way to prepare them... :)
Anyway, it's growing for glory this spring.

[FarmerCathy]

Thanks for all the great info here. My BIL and I are splitting a seed order of 100seeds. they gaurantee 10 plants out of the 100 seeds. It says it comes with growing info. Hoping we do well. I got the seeds here: http://www.localharvest.org/store/item.jsp?id=4976&r=kmp

If you get a chance let me know how the fruiting of these plants go.

[Durgan]

Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) My experience

http://eivohk.notlong.com/ 26 February 2008 Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

The Chinese Wolfberry pods were planted on 10 February 2008. Due to ignorance the whole pod was planted, but it is only necessary to plant one seed per plant. They were thinned and the stronger plant will be kept as they get larger. Germination was about 10 days and it appears maybe planting the pod is a good idea, since the germination was probably 100%. The plant is a perennial. Fruit production is in the third and fourth year.

There is an excellent place to grow them in my garden, so it will be interesting to see if they thrive in my Zone 5.

I have three strong plants about 8 inches tall now placed in the outdoor garden, and they are doing well, 28 May 2008. I will take pictures tomorrow.

[Durgan]

http://jineiv.notlong.com 29 May 2008 Growth in the Garden.

Chinese Wolfberry pictures indicatin growth in the garden setting. Two plants were selected

[Durgan]

This is a note from a poster on the University of British Columbia Forum. It clearly indicates the hardiness of this plant, since Edmonton is about as cold as it can get in the civilized part of Canada.

They grow very well in Edmonton. In fact an entire hill was planted by early Chinese immigrants who settled here after the completion of the trans-Canada rail. (Sadly, around 1995, every plant except one was yanked out for 'development".) So far, all those I tasted were sweet to begin with and then the bitter after taste kicks in. Has anyone got any without the bitter after taste? Strangely enough the bitter taste disappears after drying. But, I'm more interested in fresh eating.

[TastyofHasty]

Durgan, mine haven't fruited yet. I'm awaiting the answer!

[Durgan]

http://eesoi.notlong.com/ 4 July 2008 Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

There are three plants in the garden. A rabbit has eaten the tip off two of the plants, but it seems to aid bushing of the plant. I will eventually get rid of this one rabbit, but he is fast and avoids Neena, and myself, since there is now so much vegetation in which to hide.

[TastyofHasty]

That is interesting about the Chinese immigrants, Durgan. What happened with the one plant that wasn't pulled up? Your plants are looking good for their first year. Mine have sprouted up to about 4' tall, but still no fruit yet.

[blossombud]

They are different you know. The wolfberries are suppose to be more bitter. I don't know much about them myself so fill me in.:confused:

[Durgan]

They are different you know. The wolfberries are suppose to be more bitter. I don't know much about them myself so fill me in.:confused:

Classifying plants is a major, on-going study. When push comes to shove one must understand exactly what plant is under discussion. Local names are entertaining, qnd useful, but not too helpful world wide. The plant under discussion is: Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) There may be many different local names for this plant throughout the world, but using the Latin name confusion is reduced or eliminated.

[Durgan]

That is interesting about the Chinese immigrants, Durgan. What happened with the one plant that wasn't pulled up? Your plants are looking good for their first year. Mine have sprouted up to about 4' tall, but still no fruit yet.

I have three plant total in the garden. Two together, and one in an ideal full sun location. My major obstacle is determining if they will survive the Winter, but the report from Edmonton, which is extremely cold in the winter, is encouraging. Actually, one Wolfberry plant (Lycium barbarum) is growing rather well, and I think the rabbit eat other two will survive.

[TastyofHasty]

Here's the wolfberry that was left out in wintertime, planted next to the Manchurian Apricot, then layered last year, NOW:
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb300/buckette/wolfberry11-08LR.jpg

btw, there's a Goumi planted (behind it in the photo, with the broken-down child's tent frame over it) ... Goumi is a nitrogen fixer.

[dandelion meadow]

Hi, Tasty!

My wolf berry has been outside for about three years now. It isn't as large as yours but is doing well. It flowered again this fall as it did last year. Does yours do that?

The goumi I planted at same time in another area fruited this spring. However the fruit disappeared sometime in the early summer before getting any size or ripeness. Not sure if critters got them or if they dropped off. This is a seedling, not a named variety. I expected fruit larger than autumn olive (which I enjoyed eating as a child in Florida). Has yours fruited? Do you know much about size and flavor? Branches are quite thorny.

May we all have a good rest and renewal this winter!!!!

[TastyofHasty]

Hi Dandelion Meadow! Yes, there were quite a few purple flowers with yellow middles this year. I actually got a couple more berries that I found on the plant a couple days after I posted that pic. Could be this plant might benefit from a little covering with something for season-extension in this climate.

I just planted my goumi this Spring, so no fruit yet. That is not good ... something stole your goumi fruit. I cut a few tip ends off the goumi to try and propagate as cuttings; don't know if it's working or not, yet.

[dandelion meadow]

Thanks for the feedback, Tasty of Hasty. You are probably right about the season extender, also, the disappearing goumi fruit. Good luck with your harvests to be!

[FarmerCathy]

I winter sowed some of my goji berry seeds the end of Jan. To my surprise I have one seedling coming up already. On the instructions it said about 3 months. Happy Day!:D If more come up in the next week I'm going to sow the rest in my little winter sowing happy containers. Heehee! Yippee!

[manju]

Wolfberry is a fruit popular in China and Eastern Asia, and known medicinally for 2000 years. A similar variety in Tibet is called goji Berry. I am not sure how similar Chinese wolfberry is to goji berry as far as their chemical composition. My understanding thus far is that goji berry and wolfberry are similar, it's just that they grow in different parts of Asia. However, there seems to be confusion and disagreement on this matter. I have spoken to different raw material suppliers, and some say they are the same while other claim goji berry and wolfberry are different. To help explain this matter better, think of apples. There are a number of different varieties of apples, for instance McIntosh, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, etc. It's nearly impossible to say which apple variety is a healthier option for long term consumption. I would say the same is true for goji berry and wolfberry. In China, the dried wolfberry fruit is a popular food. People also drink wolfberry juice.

[GreenZone]

Dandelion, how are you growing yours? Raised beds?

[dandelion meadow]

GreenZone: I have one planted in the yard - no special care. I think they prefer a bit drier spot so I put it in a sunny, less moist place than some other plants.

[kellygirrl]

Wolfberry is a fruit popular in China and Eastern Asia, and known medicinally for 2000 years. A similar variety in Tibet is called goji Berry. I am not sure how similar Chinese wolfberry is to goji berry as far as their chemical composition. My understanding thus far is that goji berry and wolfberry are similar, it's just that they grow in different parts of Asia. However, there seems to be confusion and disagreement on this matter. I have spoken to different raw material suppliers, and some say they are the same while other claim goji berry and wolfberry are different. To help explain this matter better, think of apples. There are a number of different varieties of apples, for instance McIntosh, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, etc. It's nearly impossible to say which apple variety is a healthier option for long term consumption. I would say the same is true for goji berry and wolfberry. In China, the dried wolfberry fruit is a popular food. People also drink wolfberry juice.


This site offers an interesting read on the origins (and mythology of the origins) of goji/wolfberry, pruning tips (did you know it can be pruned as a tree?? I could swear I read that), and qualities of selected seedlings/varieties. I have one growing I bought for $3 from Richters; now I wanted a "selected" one...I'm a sucker for marketing.

http://www.fountainofyouth-gojiseed.com/

[FarmerCathy]

http://www.fountainofyouth-gojiseed.com/

That's where I got my seeds. I've got 3 little seedlings coming up.

[kellygirrl]

That's where I got my seeds. I've got 3 little seedlings coming up.

Congrats! You prolly have a better climate for them than I do; beyond merely humid, we get wet summers sometimes. But those guys are growing in Iowa like me, so I'm optimistic!

How long did it take your seeds to germinate?
Do you remember where their directions are on how to prune? I can't find them now on the site.

[FarmerCathy]

Congrats! You prolly have a better climate for them than I do; beyond merely humid, we get wet summers sometimes. But those guys are growing in Iowa like me, so I'm optimistic!

How long did it take your seeds to germinate?
Do you remember where their directions are on how to prune? I can't find them now on the site.

It took about a month for them to germinate. It said it would take up to 3 months to germinate. They sent me directions on how to prune. Not sure where it is on the site.

[TastyofHasty]

This year something ate most of the leaves this Spring; however, they have re-leafed themselves and now there are more little purple flowers than I've ever seen on 'em before, hoping maybe I'll even GET some wolfberries ... this year ...
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb300/buckette/wolfberryLR.jpg

[Train]

Ya!
Hope ya don't grow fur and fangs from eating those things.
Here the fangs you could live with but the fur would kill ya.
Heheh
Train

Click on it.

[kellygirrl]

I got some this year. Flowers came a long time ago, surprised yours are so behind mine. I pruned to a single trunk (saw a photo somewhere, and I have a small space). It's fruiting up top on the trailing branches, not super prolifically, but it's the first year and not too many branches. Many of the berries are turning black. I know you're not supposed to touch them until you pick them or that happens (can't remember if that's mentioned in this thread), but it seems to be happening unprovoked. Kinda tricky getting them just right--a strange after taste on this bush. But it's the first year, we're still getting acquainted.

[SherylGallant]

I have some goji berry seedlings too. I planted mine this past spring. They only took about a month to germinate and I had lots of little seedlings. They are slow growers though, Mine are ony about 3" tall now, but I have moved them a few times. I read that they like drier, rocky soil and do will without a lot of water. Are these a vine? Should I give them something to climb on?

[kellygirrl]

They're called a trailing shrub. It doesn't seem to cling, but weeps and bends. They like it drier, but mine's doing okay in rich soil and humid Iowa. Maybe the humidity is why some of my berries are turning black? I think left to grow on their own devices they hit 5-6 feet? and then weep, with branches up to twice that long?

I've tried to find pruning information, it's really hard because they're so new still. A goji man from goji land who is affiliated with Fountain of Youth, a link somewhere, promises to get instructions out, but I haven't found them yet. There are different methods, and I'm trying single trunk.

I bet your babies will take off after they've settled in their permanent home.

[TastyofHasty]

I bet your babies will take off after they've settled in, too. Also, once you have one decent-sized plant, you can get more from cuttings.

kellygirrrl, I wonder why my flowers are later than yours, too. Maybe related to day-length? or maybe it's just because mine had to put their energy first into leafing out again; then make flowers.

If I get berries this year, I'll try to remember to post a photo. And yeah, kellygirrrl, your berries may be turning black from some kind of ... er ... rot (sigh) ... like my grapes do around here.

[SherylGallant]

AH! Thank you for the info. I like draping shrubs. I never prune anything into a ball.