To propagate goji berries, the easiest and fastest method is by taking suckers (rooted shoots) from mature plants in late winter or early spring, or by taking softwood cuttings.
Here’s a more detailed guide:
1. Propagating from Suckers:
- Identify Suckers: Look for rooted shoots emerging from the base of the mature goji berry bush.
- Timing: Late winter or early spring is the best time to detach and replant these suckers.
- Detachment: Carefully detach the rooted sucker, ensuring you have a good root system.
- Replanting: Replant the sucker in fresh compost or a well-draining soil mix.
2. Propagating from Cuttings:
- Softwood Cuttings: Take cuttings from this year’s growth (softwood) that started in the spring.
- Cutting Preparation: Cut the softwood branches into sections with 4-6 internodes (where leaves or branches emerge). Remove the bottom leaves, leaving a few at the top for photosynthesis.
- Rooting Hormone: Dip the ends of the cuttings in rooting hormone to encourage root development.
- Planting: Plant the cuttings in small pots filled with a well-draining mix (e.g., half perlite, half peat moss). Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Provide bright, indirect sunlight. Consider wrapping the pots in plastic bags to maintain humidity and open them every other day for air circulation.
- Rooting: Roots should start to form within a few weeks.
3. Other Tips:
- Timing: Take cuttings in the early morning when the moisture content is highest.
- Soil: Goji berries thrive in well-drained soil with a pH between 6.8 and 8.1.
- Watering: Keep the soil moderately moist for the first few months, then allow the top few inches to dry out before watering again.
- Mulch: Spread mulch around the base of the plant to reduce weeds and conserve moisture.
- Containers: Goji berries can also be grown in containers, which can help to control root spread.
- Patience: Goji berries can take a few years to produce a full crop of fruit after planting.