Can goji berry (Solanaceae) be grown in pots? Market price per jin, planting time and how to make it fruit
Goji berry, also known as Tianjing, Tianjingzi and Tianjingcao, is a common Solanaceae plant in northwest China. It is widely cultivated because of its high medicinal value. It is currently sold in all major markets, and the price is a bit on the expensive side. So what is the market price of goji berries per jin? Can they be grown in pots? When to plant? How to plant so they bear fruit?
Latest market price:
Pot planting time:
Harvest ripe fruit in November, soak in water for 1 to 2 days, and once soft, rub and wash them clean to obtain the seeds, then dry and store them. Sow between March and April the following year, in drills or beds, covering with about 1 to 1.5 cm of soil, water thoroughly, and sprouts will emerge after 10 days. Thin the seedlings once after emergence, and ordinary management is enough. Transplant the seedlings in spring of the second year.
Pot planting tips:
1. Choosing the site
We generally want to grow potted goji berries indoors, but this is not good for the growth of the potted plant. Potted goji berries depend very strongly on sunlight, so we must place them in a spot with plenty of sunlight. Only then can the potted plant grow and develop normally, produce satisfactory flowers, and take on a beautiful appearance.
2. Watering
Controlling moisture is also an important factor in the normal growth of the potted plant. The moisture requirements of goji berries are stricter than those of other plants. We must make sure the soil moisture is neither wet nor dry. When watering, we cannot let the water be excessive, nor can we wait until the soil moisture has dried out before watering. In other words, moisture must be controlled precisely to grow potted goji berries well.
3. Nutrient needs
All plants need fertilizer, and goji berries are the same. Without fertilizer you cannot grow robust plants. We should fertilize regularly to maintain the nutrients in the soil and ensure the normal growth and development of the plant.
4. Pruning
Since it is grown as a potted plant, we of course need to prune it regularly; otherwise the plant will lose its shape. Regular pruning lets the plant take on an attractive form and also lets it grow in the direction you want.
In general, potted goji berries are best trained in a curved-trunk style or a cliff style, while small branches are best wired into a weeping form. A raised-root design can be made into a bridge style. There are also other styles such as the figurative style, raised-root style, multi-trunk style and bizarre style, but the big-head-small-tail and straight forms are the most uninteresting. In short, shape the plant according to the tree and apply techniques according to the material, revising repeatedly, and do not rush.
5. Pest and disease control
As a potted plant, it is relatively weak in resisting insects and disease. Without artificial sterilization and pest elimination, it can easily die from pest damage. Spray some insecticide regularly to kill pests and diseases and ensure the normal growth of the plant.