Goji berry likes sun and also tolerates shade; how can you get more fruit and brighter color?

Goji berryIt is grown mainly for its fruit, and after autumn the red berries covering the branches are truly lovely. The fruit of the goji berry has high medicinal value, with functions such as tonifying the liver and benefiting the spleen, nourishing the blood and brightening the eyes, and supporting the kidneys and strengthening the waist.

Goji berry is a clumping small shrub, with many branches that are slender and drooping. It is distributed in both northern and southern China, likes sun and also tolerates shade, tolerates cold and also tolerates drought, and dislikes waterlogging; it likes to grow in well-drained calcareous soil. The goji berry root system is well developed and tends to sprout suckers. The flowers are funnel-shaped and light purple. The flowering period is from June to October, with the natural flowering period concentrated in two stages: May to June and September to October.

Although the goji berry has a long flowering period, when temperatures are high it does not easily set fruit after flowering, while in cool climates it sets fruit easily. During cultivation, the flowering period can be controlled by manually removing leaves to achieve the goal of producing more fruit. Generally, leaf removal in August is more suitable, but to extend the fruit-viewing time, leaf removal can also be carried out in late July, with appropriate shaping and pruning away some of the overly dense current-year branches. For a period after leaf removal, temperatures are relatively high, so pay attention to spraying water and keeping things moist. After leaf removal, apply fertilizer water twice, and about one week later new leaves begin to emerge. At this time, in addition to normal fertilization, 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate should also be sprayed on the leaves, twice a week, and after about 20 days it can flower and bear fruit. If a brush is used for artificial pollination when flowering, the effect is even better. After fruit set, increase phosphorus fertilizer and keep the soil moist, avoiding both excessive dryness and excessive wetness to prevent fruit drop. Stop fertilizing after the fruit changes color, and after one month the fruit gradually ripens.

Goji berry is extremely easy to root from cuttings, and both softwood and hardwood cuttings can be used; it can also be propagated by sowing and division.

Goji berry is best planted before spring bud break. Management during the growing season is extensive; after applying a base fertilizer once in winter, it is enough to apply topdressing 2-3 more times during the growing season. Pruning should "remove the old and keep the new," cutting away overly dense branches, old branches, and dead branches so that it maintains a good tree shape and vigorous vitality.