Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

Discussion in 'Fruit and Vegetable Gardening' started by Durgan, Feb 26, 2008.

  1. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

    http://eivohk.notlong.com/ 26 February 2008 Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

    The Chinese Wolfberry pods were planted on 10 February 2008. Due to ignorance the whole pod was planted, but it is only necessary to plant one seed per plant. They were thinned and the stronger plant will be kept as they get larger. Germination was about 10 days and it appears maybe planting the pod is a good idea, since the germination was probably 100%. The plant is a perennial. Fruit production is in the third and fourth year.

    There is an excellent place to grow them in my garden, so it will be interesting to see if they thrive in my Zone 5.

    Here is some information about the plant. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfberry
     
  2. natureman

    natureman Active Member

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    Nice Dorgan! Just wondering,each little green cluster in a pot, is that one seed, or multiple? :)
     
  3. Thean

    Thean Active Member 10 Years

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    Howdy Durgan,
    They grow very well in Edmonton. In fact an entire hill was planted by early Chinese immigrants who settled here after the completion of the trans-Canada rail. (Sadly, around 1995, every plant except one was yanked out for 'development".) So far, all those I tasted were sweet to begin with and then the bitter after taste kicks in. Has anyone got any without the bitter after taste? Strangely enough the bitter taste disappears after drying. But, I'm more interested in fresh eating.
    Peace
    Thean
     
  4. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    Most interesting. Your information is most encouraging since Edmonton is Zone 3 and I am in Zone 5. Thanks for the post. I have never eaten the fruit. To me at the present time it is just another plant to grow.
     
  5. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    http://jineiv.notlong.com 29 May 2008 Growth in the Garden.

    29 May 2008 Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) pictures indicatin growth in the garden setting. Two plants were selected
     
  6. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    The cluster is the whole pod planted in error. There are about 20 or so seeds in the pod. I pulled the excess out with forceps. This may be advantageous, but since I only did this once , I don't know for sure. Anyway it means one doesn't have to separate the seeds out of the pod.
     
  7. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    http://eesoi.notlong.com/ 4 July 2008 Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

    There are three plants in the garden. A rabbit has eaten the tip off two of the plants, but it seems to aid bushing of the plant. I will eventually get rid of this one rabbit, but he is fast and avoids Neena, and myself, since there is now so much vegetation in which to hide.
     
  8. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

    Consolidated information to date to correct possible link failures.

    http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?EUJYW 26 February 2008 Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

    The Chinese Wolfberry pods were planted on 10 February 2008. Due to ignorance the whole pod was planted, but it is only necessary to plant one seed per plant. They were thinned and the stronger plant will be kept as they get larger. Germination was about 10 days and it appears maybe planting the pod is a good idea, since the germination was probably 100%. The plant is a perennial. Fruit production is in the third and fourth year.

    There is an excellent place to grow them in my garden, so it will be interesting to see if they thrive in my Zone 5.

    http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?LSUON 29 May 2008 Growth in the Garden.

    http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?TSECU 4 July 2008 Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)
    There are three plants in the garden. A rabbit has eaten the tip off two of the plants, but it seems to aid bushing of the plant. I will eventually get rid of this one rabbit, but he is fast and avoids Neena, and myself, since there is now so much vegetation in which to hide.

    http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?QUFJB 18 July 2008 Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)
    The largest of my three plants is growing well.

    Here is some information about the plant. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfberry
     
  9. Chooch

    Chooch Active Member 10 Years

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    I once grew the Chinese Wolfberry 8 years ago and found it was extremely invasive . By the third year it was sending out runners 6' from the original plants so I eradicated them from my garden for good . Each to their own plant liking but it is very aggressive in the lighter sandier soils of my area . Happy Growing 2008 !!
     
  10. comradea

    comradea Member

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    I know this is just an agricultural experiment for you, Durgan, but when you do get some berries, I hope you will take advantage of them... Dried them, then steep a small handful in a small tea pot of boiling water... No bitterness... but a very light sweetness with a hint of tang... good for the eyes as the traditional Chinese medicine books all said... and antioxidant, too, supposedly...

    I get them in clear plastic bags... have seen them in bulk food section of Save-On-Foods... never tasted them fresh so have no idea about the bitterness...

    Maybe I should pick a few large berries from the bag and try germinating them... No idea what zone Vancouver is... maybe I can keep it indoor in the winter ?... hmmm...

    Anyway... most interesting experiement you have there... Thanks for sharing !!
     
  11. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    A most encougaging post. It seems the plant was doing what it should. I only hope mine grows as well, and produces prodigious amounts of berries.
     

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