Detailed Explanation of Management Techniques for Young Goji Berry Plants

Trunk Heading and Pruning

After the buds of the planted goji berry seedlings sprout, cut off the sprouts on the main trunk above the basal stem and below 30 cm (the branching zone). Above the branching zone, select and keep 3—5 lateral buds or lateral branches growing in different directions and spaced 3—5 cm apart as the scaffold branches forming the small tree crown (the first layer of the tree canopy), and cut the top at a plant height of 40—50 cm.

Summer Pruning

From late May to late July, cut off the sprouting shoots below the branching zone of the main trunk every 15 days. Shorten the lateral branches kept above the branching zone at a branch length of 20 cm to promote the sprouting of secondary branches for fruiting; among the vigorous upward-growing branches (intermediate branches) on the lateral branches, select and keep 2—3 branches growing in different directions close to the main trunk (each spaced 10 cm apart) as the main branches of the small tree crown, and cut the tops at 30 cm to promote secondary branching for autumn fruit.

Soil Fertilization

For newly established goji berry orchards, apply 100 g of nitrogen-phosphorus compound fertilizer per plant in early July; for 2—4-year-old goji berry plants, apply 100—150 g of urea per plant in mid-April, 150—200 g of nitrogen-phosphorus compound fertilizer in early June, and 150—200 g of nitrogen-phosphorus compound fertilizer in mid-July. The method is to dig a ditch 10—15 cm deep along the outer edge of the tree canopy, with a ditch length of 30 cm, apply the measured chemical fertilizer into the ditch, mix it evenly with the soil, then close the ditch and irrigate. Autumn basal fertilizer application is carried out from late September to early October. Dig symmetrical pits along the outer edge of the tree canopy, with a pit length of 30—50 cm (depending on the size of the tree canopy) and a pit depth of 30 cm. Apply 2—5 kg of cake fertilizer, 5—15 kg of sheep manure (depending on tree age), and 150 g of diammonium phosphate per plant, mix evenly with soil, then close the pits and prepare for winter irrigation.

Foliar Fertilization

For 2—4-year-old goji berry plants, spray growth regulators (Yemianbao, Penshibao, Fengchansu, etc.) once each in mid-May, June, July, and August, at 30—50 kg of aqueous solution per mu.

Timely Pest Control

For aphids, use a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate for canopy spraying; for the cereal leaf beetle, use a 2000—3000-fold dilution of 20% fenvalerate for canopy spraying; for rust mites, use a 500-fold dilution of sulfur suspension concentrate for canopy spraying.

Timely Irrigation

During the annual growth period (April—September), irrigate 5 times, with an irrigation amount of 50 cubic meters per mu; for winter irrigation (early November), the irrigation amount is 70 cubic meters per mu. For intertillage and turning of the orchard, carry out intertillage and weeding 4 times from May to August, at a depth of 15 cm; in September, turn and sun the orchard once, at a depth of 25 cm, and 15 cm under the tree canopy, without injuring the basal stem of the plants.

Autumn Pruning

In September, cut off the vigorous water sprouts that emerge from the roots, stems, main trunk, and canopy layer of the plants.