How to grow black goji berries
Black goji berry (Lycium ruthenicum) is a multi-thorned shrub, generally around 0.5 m tall and never exceeding 1.5 m, with many branches. As a Chinese medicinal herb that suddenly shot to fame, it has extremely high value: it not only fights aging and improves sleep, but also beautifies the skin and improves its condition. And its benefits go far beyond these, so its market price is now very high, reaching up to 100 yuan/jin. However, most black goji berries are still grown in wild areas, and many people who want to cultivate them artificially do not know how to grow them. Below, the editor brings you the cultivation methods for black goji berries!
1. Site selection and land preparation
The growing environment for black goji berries first of all requires sufficient light, so the orchard should be established on fairly flat terrain with plenty of sun, fertile and loose soil, and easy access to irrigation. It is best to create a shelterbelt, mainly to facilitate management, fertilization, drainage and irrigation, and cultivation of the black goji berries. Before planting, the orchard should be deep-plowed and turned, with base fertilizer mixed in, and it is most suitable to start in the autumn of the year before planting. This is because it helps the newly planted black goji berries grow and develop, improving the survival rate. Then make field beds at least 1 m wide to facilitate later management.
2. Propagation methods
Black goji berries can be propagated in three ways: sowing, division, and cuttings. Sowing is generally carried out around the Start of Spring in spring. Seedlings will begin to flower and bear fruit within three years. Division propagation is mainly carried out in spring when the old plants begin to sprout, and among the three propagation methods, division is relatively simple. Cutting propagation is generally carried out in April and October. Before propagation, select a good plant and take last year's leggy branches or branches with plump flower buds, cut them into cuttings about 12 cm long, then insert the cuttings into water at a row spacing of 20*15 cm, leaving 1/3 exposed, firm them down, and water.
3. Field management
Black goji berries should be cultivated and weeded in time. Cultivation is done to turn the soil once, enhancing soil permeability and preventing the soil from becoming too compacted and affecting root respiration, but be careful not to damage the roots when turning the soil. Weeding prevents weeds from competing with the black goji berries for nutrients, water, sunlight, and other substances the plants need, and it can also improve ventilation in the field. During the seedling stage, fertilizer should be applied at least three times, each time mainly with urea, and after flowering and fruiting, apply phosphorus compound fertilizer twice. Pay attention to the moisture conditions in the orchard; black goji berries are not suited to growing in moist environments, so pay attention to drainage.
4. Harvesting and processing
The most suitable harvest time for black goji berries each year is around June in summer. When the berries are black with a hint of red and the fruit stalk is fairly loose, showing a tendency to drop, harvesting can begin. However, when harvesting, pick and place them gently; too much force will cause the fruit to rupture and lose its value. Spread the harvested fruit out flat promptly, and try not to pile the fruit up; the thickness should not exceed 1 cm. After spreading them flat, let the sun blaze down to evaporate the moisture and turn them into dried fruit. Never stir them.
As people's living standards gradually rise and they continually pursue a high-quality life and pay more and more attention to health preservation, a crop like the black goji berry with so many benefits naturally sees growing market demand. So the editor thinks the prospects for growing black goji berries are still very good, and the current market price only rises and never falls, with very considerable profits. Everyone can also carefully consider it based on their own conditions and growing environment!