Boxthorn - Goji Berry [Lycium barbarum]

The goji berry is a very old perennial berry bush that originated in China and Mongolia. In traditional Chinese medicine, the plant has been used to cure various ailments for thousands of years. In the Himalayan regions of Tibet, the berries have a particularly juicy and sweet taste as well as the highest concentration of vital substances and are considered the “fruit of longevity”. The hardy, deciduous and woody shrub grows quickly and forms a dense root system, which is ideal for embankment reinforcement and soil stabilization. The berries have a sweet taste, are eaten fresh or dried and are used to strengthen Yin. In many parts of the world it is considered one of the so-called 'superfoods' and is used as a dietary supplement because of its very high density of vital substances.

General information
Plant family: Solanaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 3-5 Years
Plant height approx.: until 3m
Root type: Heart rooter, forming runners
Nutrient requirements: Heavy eater
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -25 °C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, moist, loamy, humic, calcareous

pH value: 7.5 to 8.5

Sowing and planting information
Germ type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-20 °C
Germination time: 14-21 days
Plant and row spacing: 200x200 cm

Optimal mixed culture: 
Unfavorable mixed culture: 

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from March to August.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from March to June.

General
When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in small pots and let the seedlings grow to the first visible goji berry leaves. Then plant the pregrown plants from the pots directly into the open field. The seedlings are planted in the bed from the 2nd pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Bocksdorn prefers a sunny location with a permeable, nutrient-rich, humus-rich, loamy and calcareous soil. Prepare the soil with seasoned animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
Pot culture possible. The plants also grow on light sandy soils and in saline environments. The root system can be very invasive once the plant is established. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
It spreads via seeds or cuttings.

Plant care
Regular pruning promotes branching and new growth. The following year, thin out to five to six thicker shoots. Beds prepared with animal manure and additional fertilization with plant manure once a year are sufficient.

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

Other Names
Botanical names: Lycium barbarum
English names: Boxthorn, Goji berry
German names: Bocksdorn, Goji Beere, Teufelszwirn, Hexenzwirn
Portuguese names: Goji
Spanish names: Baya de Goji
French names: Baie de Goji