How to dry goji berries at home. Growing goji

Goji or Tibetan barberry is a fairly famous plant all over the world. The pleasant-tasting berries of this shrub are considered almost a universal remedy for most diseases. Their indecently high cost does not stop people who want to improve their health or join a healthy lifestyle.

The great similarity between goji and ordinary barberry suggests that we can try to grow these berries here too. Tibetan barberry is a very hardy and unpretentious plant. It easily tolerates all the vagaries of the weather - heat, drought, rain, frost. It does not require special care, practically does not suffer from diseases and pests and can produce a large harvest even in the northern regions.

The biggest and only problem is to grow good seedlings and plant them in accordance with all the rules and recommendations. A seedling grown from seeds with your own hands is much more reliable than those that can be purchased at any nursery.

Freshly picked seeds (from fresh berries) are an ideal option, but not realistic in our area. Therefore, to plant goji you will have to use seeds from dried berries. This will not significantly affect their germination. Before planting, the seeds must be kept for at least a couple of hours in one of the preparations or infusions that stimulate the growth of future plants. Epin, Zircon or infusions based on folk recipes using ash, aloe, honey, potato juice and onion peels are suitable for this.

The soil mixture for planting seeds should consist of ordinary soil (sixty percent), peat (thirty percent) and ash (ten percent). It is poured into a container, furrows are made and the seeds are sown. The top is crushed with a half-centimeter layer of peat and covered with a transparent film. The box should be in a warm and darkened room until the first shoots appear.

Immediately after the first shoots appear, the container should be moved to a room with good lighting or placed on a windowsill. Tender young seedlings require constant moisture maintenance. Spraying with a fine spray will help with this.

Picking is carried out only after the appearance of a full-fledged fourth leaf. Each young plant must be transplanted into a separate deep pot or glass (with a volume of at least 500 milliliters), since the plant has long roots. This must be taken into account when replanting and use only the transshipment method, without separating the earthen ball from the root system.

Tibetan barberry is planted in open ground at the beginning of summer, when the soil is already well warmed up and there is no danger of night frosts.

Goji planting

The site for planting goji must be chosen to be sunny and without the danger of stagnant water, that is, somewhere on a small hill or hill. Any soil is suitable for the plant, but alkaline and rocky soil will be preferable.

It is necessary to leave a distance of at least one and a half meters between seedlings. The depth of each hole is 20 centimeters. Before planting a seedling, you need to pour a small amount of ash-humus mixture into each hole.

When planting large goji seedlings purchased from a nursery, the holes should be twice as deep (at least 40 centimeters) and a larger amount of nutrient mixture should be poured. For each plant you will need one bucket of peat and compost, as well as wood ash (about one liter jar). If you wish, you can add superphosphate (200 grams) to the soil.

Immediately after planting young shrubs, abundant watering is carried out, the soil around the seedling is mulched and a support is installed for tying up the branches.

Watering and fertilizing

Tibetan barberry does not require feeding, and watering is carried out only in very hot weather and a long absence of precipitation - no more than twice every seven days. At other times, watering is not necessary.

Pruning and shaping the bush

Pruning is carried out in autumn. Most often, the formation of a bush occurs in two ways: in the form of a tree or in the classical way.

Classic pruning begins in the first year of the plant’s life. During the first three years (every year), it is necessary to carefully inspect the entire plant and select the strongest and longest branches (there can be about five of them), and cut off all the rest without hesitation. After three years, on each such branch you need to leave one (or two) shoots with an average length of 30-40 centimeters. Next season, these shoots will produce new fruiting branches, three of which (the strongest) should be left and the rest cut off.

You can form a bush with one stem. This method is used from the second year of the plant’s life. Absolutely all branches are subject to pruning, except for one - the strongest and longest. This pruning is carried out regularly (every year) until the only branch grows to one and a half meters in height. To support this branch, you need to take care of support and garter.

All further pruning is carried out according to the classical method in order to form fruit branches.

Don’t forget about “health-improving” trimmings. It is necessary to promptly rid the plant of damaged and dried branches. The shrub does not need branches located at a height of up to 40 centimeters from the ground, as well as branches that do not bear fruit.

Shelter for the winter

Goji is a frost-resistant plant, but at temperatures below 15 degrees below zero it can die. To prevent this from happening, you must use any suitable covering material (for example, vegetable tops, spruce branches, or others).

Salads: preparing step by step

Are you thinking about unusual salads to make? It is unlikely that cold appetizers with goji are a common dish. So let's get started.

Vegetable with celery

This light salad is ideal for a healthy snack.

List of ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. l. goji;
• green onions;
• 100 g sour cream;
• celery stalk;
• 400 g white cabbage;
• a pinch of sugar;
• a pinch of pepper and salt.

On a note! Water after soaking berries is endowed with beneficial properties. Therefore, do not rush to pour out the liquid. You can drink it or add it to other dishes.

Step by step process:

1. Pour boiling water over goji and leave to swell.
2. Chop the cabbage, mash with your hands, combine with chopped green onions and celery.
3. Add salt, pepper, add sugar, stir.
4. Add sour cream and mix again.
5. Free the berries from water and add to the salad.

Serve to the table.

Diet salad

Tasty, low-calorie and healthy. Girls, take note!

Compound:

• apples - 2 pcs.;
• goji - 3 tbsp. l.;
• 1 tbsp. l. sunflower seeds;
• a little olive oil;
• a handful of any nuts.

On a note! It is permissible to replace butter with natural yogurt without additives. Fermented milk products have fewer calories.

Steps:

1. Pre-soak the berries. Then place in a colander and let the liquid drain.
2. Finely chop the apples and combine with the rest of the ingredients.
3. Fill with oil.

If desired, garnish with a sprig of parsley and serve.

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Beetroot

Beets help cleanse the body. Therefore it is a vegetable of beauty. Let's consider a healthy salad with the addition of this fruit.

Components:

• one large boiled beet;
• soaked berries;
• Walnut;
• mayonnaise, salt.

On a note! Add a couple of garlic cloves if desired.

Preparation:

1. Grate the beets on a coarse grater.
2. Divide the nuts into several parts.

Combine all ingredients, season and serve.

Propagation by seeds

Another name for the goji plant is Tibetan barberry, common wolfberry. The shrub reproduces in several ways - by seeds and vegetatively. It depends on whether a person has the opportunity to find a mature plant in order to cut a small branch from it.

Goji seeds are best collected from fresh berries. Since the tree is mainly distributed in Tibet, this will be quite problematic. However, you can also use dry fruit, the seeds of which retain important properties and are characterized by high germination due to their thin outer shell.

Before sowing, the material should be soaked in a growth stimulator for several hours to increase the chances of success. For this purpose, you can use any available drug - Zircon, Epin, etc.

You must first prepare a suitable soil - mix 2 parts soil, 1 part peat and add a little wood ash. The soil should be placed in a shallow box, moistened well and small grooves made. The seeds are sown at a distance of about 1-2 cm from each other and sprinkled with a thin layer of peat, the height of which should not exceed 0.5 cm.

Goji berry "New Big"

To create the elevated temperature and humidity necessary for rapid germination, it is advisable to cover the box with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place. As soon as the first shoots appear, you need to move the container to a windowsill or other bright place.

The soil needs to be watered regularly. This must be done using a special sprayer so that the soil is moistened evenly and gently. This is necessary so as not to accidentally damage weak shoots. As soon as 4-5 leaves appear on the seedlings, each plant should be transplanted into a separate cup. Since wolfberry is characterized by a developed root system, 500 ml containers should be used for picking.

It is advisable to plant common wolfberry in open ground no earlier than May. This will eliminate the adverse effects of spring frosts on fragile goji plants. The hole must correspond to the volume of the glass in which the seedlings grew, since the plant must be moved together with all the soil.

Drinks: prepare step by step

Beverages are the most common way to use Chinese berries. Let's look at simple recipes.

Tea

A classic decoction that is most often used for weight loss.

Required:

• 50 g dried berries;
• 1 liter of boiling water.

On a note! It is best to brew the drink in a thermos.

Recipe description:

1. Pour boiling water over goji.
2. Leave for an hour.

It is permissible to sweeten tea with honey.

Smoothie

This is a thick dessert drink made from natural ingredients.

Compound:

• 1 banana;
• some strawberries;
• a glass of kefir;
• 3 tbsp. l. Chinese berries.

On a note! The higher the fat content of kefir, the thicker the smoothie will be.

Steps:

1. Soak goji in boiled water for about 5 minutes. Then drain the water.
2. Divide the banana into several parts.
3. Place all ingredients in a blender.
4. Grind.

Everything is ready, all that remains is to pour into the bowls.

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Date tea

Unusual taste. With this drink you will definitely be able to surprise your guests.

You will need:

• 4 dried dates;
• 1 tbsp. l. honey;
• 500 ml boiling water;
• 10 g goji;
• 0.5 tbsp. l. fruit infusion.

Recipe description:

1. Cut the dates into pieces and place in a teapot.
2. Add fruit tea and berries.
3. Pour boiling water over it.

Leave for 15 minutes and invite everyone for tea.

Vegetative propagation

A very simple way to propagate wolfberries is by cuttings or rooting lower shoots. It is available only to those people whose relatives or neighbors grow this plant.

Growing shrubs using cuttings means that in July you should cut lignified shoots about 10 cm long. You need to make sure that each part contains at least 4-5 buds and at least 1-2 cm of old bark.

All cuttings must be dipped in a growth stimulator and planted in a greenhouse or greenhouse. It is here that the optimal conditions for rooting of shoots are present. The ideal soil is a mixture of peat and sand. The shoots must be buried at least 3-4 cm in order for a sufficiently powerful root system to form.

The easiest way to propagate shrubs is by digging in the top or lower stems. The shoot, located underground, must be watered regularly to create sufficient moisture. In addition, this will allow roots to form faster. It is necessary to separate the new plant from the mother bush in early or mid-autumn in order to transplant it to a permanent place before frost and cover it well to prevent freezing.

Reviews on the use of berries in cooking

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Goji berries recipes

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Housewives are generally pleased with the berries and leave a lot of positive feedback.

Pros:

• ease of use;
• benefit;
• taste.

Minuses:

• berries are not sold everywhere;
• must be pre-soaked.

Choosing a site for goji berries and planting features

Tibetan barberry grows well in any soil. It can be slightly acidic or highly alkaline soil, which does not affect the development of the bush at all.

The area for goji berries should be sunny, as the plant loves bright sunlight. You cannot place the bush in a lowland, as it reacts poorly to stagnant water. The optimal time for planting is spring, but with the vegetative propagation method, after separation from the mother bush, the seedling must be immediately planted in a permanent place.

To ensure optimal conditions for the rapid growth and development of goji berries, you must first prepare a special hole up to 40 cm deep and about 50-55 cm wide. Fertilizers should be poured into the bottom - 150-200 g of superphosphate, 30 g of potassium sulfate or wood ash, and also about 10 kg of humus or peat. Mix all ingredients well. Deepen the roots of the seedlings slightly into the resulting soil and sprinkle with soil on top.

When growing Tibetan barberry from seedlings, the planting hole will be much smaller, depending on the volume of the root system.

It is advisable to have at least 2 plants in 1 plot to achieve successful fruit set. This is due to the fact that the bush is cross-pollinated.

Composition and properties

The fruits of the common wolfberry contain useful compounds and elements. It contains 18 amino acids, among which there are essential ones (that is, those that the body cannot synthesize on its own and receives only from the outside).

Functions of amino acids:

• participate in the synthesis of complex protein molecules;
• supply additional energy to muscle fibers when they are subjected to severe stress;
• promote the conduction of nerve impulses;
• activate metabolism;
• promote the absorption of beneficial substances from food.

Vitamins

Goji is rich in the following vitamins:

• E is one of the most powerful antioxidants, reduces the content of bad cholesterol, prevents the development of atherosclerosis, strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
• B1 is a vital substance for the stable functioning of the brain;
• B2 - strengthens the body's defenses, supports the proper functioning of the reproductive system, and is essential for healthy skin and hair;
• B6 - reduces cholesterol levels, is necessary for metabolic reactions and the absorption of sugars by nerve cells;
• B12 - supports hematopoietic function, strengthens the immune system, tones, is necessary for normalizing body weight;
• C - used by the liver to dispose of harmful substances, necessary for strong immunity.

Minerals in goji berries

The fruits also contain minerals.

Iron

The most important microelement necessary for the production of hemoglobin, a substance that ensures the transport of oxygen in the body. Participates in the synthesis of certain enzymes.

Magnesium

Acts as a cofactor for many enzymatic reactions in the body. Maintains normal pressure in blood vessels, ensures stable functioning of the central nervous system and heart.

Calcium

It is part of bone structures, giving them density and strength. Provides contractility of muscles, which include the main muscle of the body - the myocardium.

In addition, calcium ensures the uninterrupted passage of impulses along the nerve fiber.

Sodium and potassium

These macronutrients perform the following functions in the body:

• maintain acid-base and water balance;
• maintain normal blood osmotic potential;
• provide better penetration of various essential substances through cell membranes;
• activate many important enzymes.

Manganese

The body needs this element for metabolic processes and the construction of protein molecules. It is part of many essential enzymes, and acts as an activator for others.

Copper

Necessary for the body to carry out metabolic processes and the formation of enzymes. The element takes an active part in the synthesis of hemoglobin and the formation of red blood cells. Copper is important for bones and joints; it has a beneficial effect on the condition of vascular walls.

Zinc

This mineral is essential for maintaining the health of the male reproductive system and stable sexual function. Participates in the formation of enzymes, activates the proliferative function of cells, and participates in the process of hematopoiesis.

The composition also includes polyunsaturated fatty acids, saccharides, carotenoids, phytosterols and phenols.

Care and fertilization

Planting and caring for goji berries in the Moscow region involves the use of the same measures that are carried out in other regions. The main feature is shelter for the winter, which is due to the different times of frost and their intensity.

You need to care for the plant constantly, but especially in the first year after planting. This is the most important period, on which future fruiting largely depends. In the absence of precipitation, it is necessary to water young bushes, loosen the soil for sufficient penetration of oxygen into the soil, remove weeds, and apply fertilizer to the ground. In general, Tibetan barberry is very unpretentious and grows very well. There is no need to treat the bush with insecticides, since it is extremely rarely affected by pests.

Fertilizing is applied only at the time of planting; in the future, it is advisable to enrich the soil with nutrients once a year, preferably in the spring. For this purpose, you can use special ready-made mixtures containing potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, as well as use organic fertilizers in the form of compost.

An important part of caring for the common wolfberry is pruning and shaping the bush. There are 2 options for carrying out this work - classic and 1 stem:

1. Classic pruning
   . In the first year of the growing season, 3-4 of the most powerful branches should be left, the rest should be completely removed. This principle must be adhered to over the next 2-3 years. Starting from the 4th year of growing season, on each main branch it is necessary to leave 3-4 shoots (fruit arms) 20-40 cm long. Such pruning will have a stimulating effect on the intensity of growth of new stems and thus the formation of a rich harvest.
2. Pruning into 1 stem
   . It makes it possible to grow not a bush, but a small tree. The essence of the method is to leave only 1 branch on the plant and remove the rest. To prevent the goji berry from falling, it must be tied up immediately, since it must reach at least 1.5-2 m in height. In the future, pruning of the plant is carried out in a classical way, the main principle of which is the complete removal of weak, lower and thin branches.

Pruning a goji plant is very similar to shaping grapes, and if there is this berry in the garden plot, there will be no problems with Tibetan barberry.

In the first year of the growing season, the common wolfberry must be covered with spruce branches, tops or any other similar material. After all, a young plant can withstand frosts only down to -15°C. Subsequently, the goji berry grows quite thick wood and its frost resistance increases significantly (up to -30°C).

By growing Tibetan barberry in your garden or summer cottage, you will get an unusual plant that has a lot of useful properties.

Tibetan barberry is a plant that has recently become incredibly popular. Goji berries have a strengthening effect on the body, help get rid of cellulite and improve vision; each berry contains a rich set of vitamins, minerals and trace elements of natural origin. The natural habitat of Tibetan barberry is the mountainous regions of Tibet, from where the berry is supplied in limited quantities to different countries. In this article you will find information on how to grow goji berries yourself, on the selection and processing of seeds for planting in the country.

Useful bait (Russian name for goji) promises relief from a number of diseases.

In Tibet, they have long learned to use the fruits of wolfberry: local shamans prepared tinctures and mixtures that healed various diseases. For several centuries, the secret of this plant was successfully hidden, but now goji berries can be bought for the prevention and treatment of diseases in any country.

Dereza belongs to the Solanaceae family - a tall shrub up to 2 meters in height, has tangled flexible shoots with thorns, blooms with small star-shaped, funnel-shaped lilac flowers with green veins. During flowering, dereza attracts bees - the plant is an ideal honey plant.

A huge number of species of this shrub are distributed throughout the globe (about 80 species are known): African wolfberry - in Africa; Shanghai barberry - in China; Lycium is found in the foothills of the Caucasus. The plant develops well on slightly salted soils; after flowering, which lasts the second half of summer, the fruits ripen - red, yellow or orange berries. There are varieties with purple berries.

In Russia, dereza was known under the names: zamanikh (zamanikha), devil's lashes, tkenna (in the Caucasus).

Only goji berries from Tibet have medicinal properties.

Recommendations for processing and preparing goji

The optimal type of berries for the culinary sector is dried fruits. They are universal. In order not to ask a bunch of questions about how to use such goji, imagine that these are raisins. Do you know how to cook with raisins? The principle is the same here.

Whole berries are added to various types of dishes. By the way, you can grind dried fruits in a coffee grinder and add berry powder to sauces. And when soaked, goji becomes soft. Everything is the same as with dried fruits.

Before using, the berries must be washed thoroughly.

Growing wolfberry from seeds

This plant has many names, in Russia the most common is zamanika.

To plant an amazing plant with medicinal berries on your plot, you need to grow a sufficient number of seedlings to ensure a harvest of wolfberry in quantities sufficient to treat or prevent diseases. The undemanding plant takes root well in summer cottages in the Moscow region. Caring for plants is not anything special; wolfberry tolerates low-fertility soils of moderate salinity.

In nature, wolfberry (Tibetan barberry) reproduces by self-sowing - the berries, falling to the ground, germinate, forming new thickets.

At home, if it is impossible to take cuttings from adult plants, the shrub will have to be grown from seeds, carefully observing the agricultural techniques for growing this plant. Wolf seeds for planting in the country can be purchased in specialized stores, or you can use goji berries for propagation.

Seeds are planted in winter, around mid-February. Seeds freed from berries are soaked in a solution of growth stimulants; excellent results were noted when using Epin, Zircon and Humate. The seeds are kept in the solution for about 2 hours, after which they are immediately sown in containers filled with a mixture of peat and loam. For better seed germination, the bowl must be covered with glass or plastic film, creating greenhouse conditions.

The first shoots begin to appear approximately 2 weeks after sowing; at this time, weak shoots must be protected from direct sunlight. Young seedlings must be picked at the 2-3 leaf stage, and each plant should be transplanted into a separate pot.

Dereza quickly grows after transplantation, so before planting in open ground, it may be necessary to transfer it again to a larger container. It is useful to pinch out the growing point of young plants - this operation will allow you to obtain seedlings with a well-developed crown.

Bushes can be planted in a permanent location in warm weather, when there is no danger of morning frosts.

Methods of application

In dietetics, there are several ways to use recipes with Goji berries for weight loss:

• Pour warm water over the fruits and let it brew. After this, eat the berries separately and drink the water.
• Pour 20 g of dry fruits into 250 ml of boiling water, add a couple of drops of lemon juice, and leave to steep for 10 minutes. When the drink is infused, strain it and drink the infusion. This is a traditional recipe for making Goji berry tea for weight loss. If you believe the advertising of this popular dietary product, then one cup of this drink is enough to start the process of losing weight.
• You can take 1 tsp on an empty stomach. Goji berry seed oil, washed down with a small amount of warm water. This method of using the product allows you to improve metabolism and deeply cleanse the body of waste and toxins. However, buying real oil is not so easy; it is not sold everywhere and is expensive.

Dereza from cuttings

If Tibetan wolfberry bushes are already planted on the site, the plant can be propagated by green cuttings, which are cut from the bushes in the second half of summer. Such plants cannot be planted in the ground in the fall, so growing new specimens of wolfberry from cuttings will require free space in greenhouses, where the plants should remain until spring.

For cuttings, you should choose a branch with weak bark, from the middle part of which cuttings 10-12 cm long are cut. The prepared cuttings are soaked in a solution of growth stimulants, and then planted in boxes with a nutritious earthen mixture based on peat. It is useful to add loamy soil to the peat base. The planted wolfberry cuttings are covered with film, creating greenhouse conditions.

The appearance of roots is observed after 2-3 weeks, when the growth of leaves reaches 3 pieces, the plants are transferred to pots of larger diameter, where young Tibetan barberry bushes will overwinter. Caring for plants during wintering includes periodic watering and inspections for the presence of pests, which should be destroyed in a timely manner.

Agricultural technology for outdoor care

Dereza blooms with inconspicuous lilac flowers.

Tibetan barberry (not to be confused with real barberry, which belongs to a completely different botanical species) is a very undemanding plant that can tolerate short-term droughts and tolerate poor and saline soils, but to obtain a rich harvest of berries, it is necessary to provide the dereza with proper care.

Soils with a slightly acidic reaction are suitable for planting wolfberry, but growing shrubs is possible on any soil. The plant develops best in open areas, because the size of the average bush is quite large. You should not choose shady places with high groundwater levels for placing plants - Tibetan barberry is afraid of getting wet and develops better in sunny places.

It is best to plant bushes in open ground in the spring, because during autumn planting, the plant can easily freeze. Without shelter, the bushes winter well at temperatures down to -15C in the southern regions of our country. When the temperature drops in winter to -25C, it is necessary to cover the crop, but even such actions cannot guarantee that the wolfberry will overwinter without frostbite. Sometimes bushes that are not covered enough freeze out to the level of the root collar, but in the spring they successfully grow back.

Seat

Seedlings are planted in separate holes, which are located at a distance of up to 2 meters from each other. The dimensions of the pit are 50x50x40 (for small seedlings), 60x60x40 - for adult bushes. The soil taken out of the pit is mixed with peat, humus, wood ash and superphosphate in a ratio (weight in kg) of 5: 5: 0.04: 0.2. The root collar is slightly deepened when planting. The tree trunk circle should be thoroughly watered and mulched on top with peat chips or humus.

Dereza care

Small wolfberry seedlings, picked into different pots.

It is very easy to care for wolfberry bushes:

1. Watering - the plant cannot be flooded, so watering is carried out taking into account summer temperatures, taking into account moisture due to precipitation. In dry weather, plants can be watered 2 times a week.
2. Fertilizing – soils of average fertility are ideal for growing plants. Fertilizers are applied in the first half of summer after planting the plant in open ground; Tibetan barberry does not need further fertilizing.
3. Wintering - there are two ways to preserve plants in winter: constructing a reliable shelter, the second way is to preserve the dug out bushes in a greenhouse, planting them in the ground every spring. Both methods have their pros and cons. With winter shelter, there is no guarantee that the plant will not freeze in severe frosts, but it will not receive additional stress during replanting.
4. Pruning - Goji bushes tolerate shaping haircuts and drastic pruning well. Plants quickly grow green mass, bloom well on new branches and bear fruit productively.
5. Protection from pests - Tibetan barberry is highly resistant to diseases; pests also rarely visit this plant. Sometimes aphids can harm wolfberry seedlings, but this pest does not damage adult plants. In rainy weather, powdery mildew may appear on young plants. Bushes should be treated with phytoncides.

Wolf bushes dug up for the winter may become diseased in greenhouse conditions, which will not allow them to produce good growth when transplanted into open ground. Annual transplants lead to a shift in the timing of crop ripening closer to autumn, thereby reducing the productivity of the bushes.

Proper care of wolfberry bushes guarantees a high yield of berries, which have high preventive and healing properties.

Goji berry, or Tibetan barberry, or barbaric wolfberry, comes from Tibet, where it grows wild. The plant was found by monks, and, thanks to its qualities, became an effective cure for many diseases.

Growing goji in an apartment or in a country house is becoming popular, as the berries are an excellent remedy for the treatment of ARVI, flu, and colds in children and adults. The healing fruits of goji contain 500 times more vitamin C than citrus fruits, and in terms of mineral composition they have no analogues among other representatives of the flora. The berry contains 21 types of mineral salts.

Goji berries have revolutionized the weight loss market. The results of using Tibetan barberry are stunning: without diets and grueling exercises, you can lose up to 10 kg in a week (see video). The berries are poisonous fresh, but once dry they are quite edible. The plant belongs to the nightshade family, which is why it has a specific taste.

For cultivation, Chinese agronomists specially created a variety with larger berries and perfect taste. Chinese goji, unlike the wild plant, produces fruits only after 2-4 years of growth. At home, the seeds of Tibetan barberry sprout quickly, and the cuttings take root without much difficulty or additional stimulants. How to grow Tibetan barberry in a garden plot or at home in a pot?

The effect of goji berries on the body: benefits and harm

Proponents of taking goji berries claim that they have many healing effects. Among them:

• reducing the content of “bad” cholesterol, normalizing blood pressure (this effect is due to the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins E, C, B6, magnesium and various types of polysaccharides in the berries);
• lowering blood sugar, preventing non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus;
• reducing the risk of cancer;
• normalization of the functioning of the reproductive system and sexual function;
• weight loss;
• normalization of sleep;
• prevention of eye diseases;
• improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• strengthening the immune system, increasing the body’s resistance to the effects of adverse factors and infectious agents;
• normalization of hematopoietic function, stabilization of blood composition;
• support liver and kidney function;
• strengthening the musculoskeletal system;
• activation of nerve fiber conduction and overall improvement in the functionality of the nervous system.

In addition to its beneficial effects, goji berries can cause harm. Exceeding recommended dosages can lead to the development of negative effects on various organs and systems. Allergy sufferers should be especially careful, as goji is a fairly strong allergen.

The following side effects may occur when taking berries:

• gagging;
• cephalgia;
• increase in blood pressure readings;
• respiratory and skin allergic reactions (rashes and itching, allergic rhinitis, breathing difficulties);
• sleep disorders;
• indigestion, diarrhea.

If any undesirable reactions occur, you should stop taking goji immediately. If nausea, severe headaches and abdominal pain occur, it is recommended to rinse the stomach and take the sorbent.

If allergic reactions develop, you should take an antihistamine. If there is significant difficulty breathing, anaphylaxis or angioedema develops, it is necessary to urgently call doctors.

If symptoms persist for a long time after stopping taking berries, you should definitely consult a doctor and undergo an examination.

Agricultural technology

Goji Tibetan is a shrub with creeping stems, in the wild reaching a length of 8 m (see photo). The branches have sharp thorns along their entire length, the leaves are long and narrow, completely covering the stem. Flowering occurs in spring and summer. The fruits are formed at the top of the stems. The berries are bright red in color and resemble cherry tomatoes in appearance. Inside there are small seeds, 8-15 pieces. Goji tastes sweetish with bitterness and slight sourness. The first harvest is harvested in the summer and continues until late autumn. Not only the berries are useful, but also the bark and leaves. In China, goji is popular as a seasoning for cold and hot dishes.

Goji berries are watery and difficult to dry. There are about 40 species in total, of which only Chinese and Tibetan goji have healing qualities. Fresh berries in contact with human skin cause severe oxidation and darkening of tissues. The whole plant is poisonous when fresh!

The crop is harvested on burlap, spread under the bush, and the ripe fruits are knocked down with a stick.

The climate conditions in central Russia make it possible to grow goji in the country. Rocky soil is suitable for the plant; on fertile soil the plant also grows and reproduces well. Care consists of watering, pruning, harvesting, and preparing for winter.

At home, the plant is provided with:

• draft protection;
• diffused light without direct sunlight;
• 1 month of wintering in January-February with an air temperature of 10 0 C;
• frame for stems;
• pruning and formation of fruit branches;
• alkaline soil;
• watering once a week.

Goji is propagated by seeds and cuttings. In specialized stores you can purchase seeds, seedlings and adult plants, but it is not always possible to grow and maintain fruiting. Growing Tibetan barberry from seeds and seedlings is a labor-intensive, time-consuming process. The plant begins to bloom and bear fruit only in 2-4 years.

Types and varieties of goji

As we have already mentioned, the common wolfberry, or goji, is a species of the genus. There are two known varieties of this species:

Tibetan wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

Or Tibetan goji - a high-yielding form of the plant that begins to bloom and bear fruit in the first year after planting. Tibetan goji berries are drop-shaped, up to 2 cm long, sweet, with a noticeable nightshade flavor. Disadvantages are watery fruits and too large seeds.

In the photo: Tibetan wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

Chinese wolfberry (Lycium chinense)

Or Chinese goji , a taller, stronger plant with elongated, crisp, sweet berries that are easy to eat and easy to dry. Disadvantages: late entry into fruiting and low winter hardiness.

In the photo: Chinese wolfberry (Lycium chinense)

Recently, varieties of common wolfberry have appeared that are of interest to gardeners:

• Strawberries: diseases and pests and their control

• New Big is an unpretentious, fast-growing and frost-resistant Polish variety that produces its first fruits already in the year of planting. The bright orange berries have a sweet and sour taste;
• Lhasa is an early frost-resistant productive variety of Chinese selection up to 3 m high with arched branches studded with thorns. The plant begins to bear fruit in the second year after planting. The flowers are purple, self-pollinating, the fruits are deep orange, oblong-ovoid, up to 2 cm long and weighing 2-3 g. The pulp is sour-sweet with a barely noticeable bitterness;
• Sugar giant is a spreading, productive and frost-resistant shrub up to 3.5 m high with surprisingly tasty fiery orange berries up to 2.5 cm long. This variety is called Tibetan barberry;
• Sweet Amber is a frost-resistant but heat-loving Chinese variety, bred in 2021, but very quickly gaining popularity. This plant does not cling to supports, but rests on them. This fast-growing bush can reach 2.5 m in height, and its berries become amber-transparent when ripe;
• Superfruit is a lush light-loving shrub up to 3 m high with rich red fruits. Fruiting begins three years after planting.

Propagation of Tibetan barberry by seeds

To grow a plant at home from seeds, collect ripe large berries. Soak the berries in water for a couple of hours. Small seeds (about 1 mm - see photo) are selected from the fruit shell of the berry and soaked for 1-2 hours in a plant growth stimulator. Epin and Zircon will do. The seeds have good germination.

Prepare a soil mixture of loam and peat (2:1) with a neutral pH reaction for seedlings. Arrange drainage in the pot (1.5-3 cm). The soil is deeply moistened. Several seeds are planted in one container. The seeds are buried 2-2.5 cm into the soil. The soil is constantly watered, preventing it from drying out. It is important to provide favorable conditions without temperature changes and protect from drafts. After 2 weeks, the first shoots appear. After germination of the seedlings, the container is moved to a bright place, but without direct sunlight.

The seedlings are transplanted into separate pots immediately or after two true leaves appear. The root system of goji seedlings is very developed and grows deep. Therefore, there is no need to waste time with the transfer. Pots for seedlings are chosen at least 7 cm deep. A plant grown from seeds at home begins to bloom the very next year.

Growing goji berries in the Moscow region, Siberia and the Urals

Summer residents living in Siberia should choose frost-resistant varieties of berries, zoned for the northern climate. For the winter, the shrub needs shelter with burlap or spruce branches. It is also recommended to prune the bush as much as possible before wintering.

In the Moscow region, if the weather is rainy, fruits should be collected only in dry weather, otherwise they will not be stored. It is very difficult to properly dry wet berries. If early autumn turns out to be warm and windless, you can dry the fruits directly in the fresh air, in the sun. It is enough to put them on a newspaper and place them on a balcony facing the sunny side. In the spring, before the buds open, the bush can be doused with boiling water to prevent diseases and pests.

Growing fruits in the Urals at home requires protecting the bushes from the wind, since in spring and summer it is often windy in this region. It is recommended to plant in the shade of fruit trees (for example, next to a pear or apple tree). You can plant the plant against a blank wall of the house. Also, in order to grow a good harvest, you should use preventive spraying with copper sulfate against fungus caused by high air humidity.

This shrub is quite capricious, but domestic breeders are actively regionalizing its varieties for cultivation in various regions of Russia. Therefore, if you choose a variety suitable for the climate, there will be no problems with cultivation. Fruits that ripen together will give the amateur gardener health and youth.

How to grow berries by cuttings and seedlings

The technology of growing fruit-bearing plants at home from cuttings can significantly speed up harvesting. To do this, cut the adult stem at a height of 35-40 cm. The cut stalk is cut at an angle, 10-15 cm long. The cuttings are placed in moist soil and covered with a glass jar. Regularly moisten the soil. After the leaves appear, remove the jar. Rooted cuttings with 2-3 leaves (see photo) are planted in a pot and provide constant care.

It is easy to grow goji at home using purchased seedlings. The average cost of seedlings on the Russian market is 300-600 rubles. The rooted seedling should be transplanted into a larger diameter pot and provided with appropriate care.

To plant seedlings in open ground, prepare a sunny place. When choosing a site, take into account that there should be at least 1.5-2 m between plants. Dig a hole with a diameter of 50 cm and a depth of 40 cm. Fill it with a mixture of humus, soil and coarse river sand. The plants are planted in a row, with a row spacing of at least 2-3 m. The seedling is slightly buried.

Conditions for growing goji can be easily created at home on a windowsill or in a garden plot in central Russia. The plant tolerates frosts down to -30 degrees, gusty winds, frosts, dry air and heavy rains in summer. Seeds and cuttings take root well and produce a harvest the following year.

This resistance to weather changes is due to the Spartan lifestyle of the wild plant in the mountains of Tibet. The value of goji berries is incomparable to any other fruit plant.

The goji bush is not difficult to grow; it is attractive and bears fruit with edible berries. And most importantly, goji berries contain many nutrients, antioxidants and minerals that you will not find in other fruits and vegetables.

In China and Mongolia, goji berries have been grown for many centuries. Medicine uses them in the treatment of liver-related diseases, side problems and to normalize cholesterol.

The goji plant is also called barbaric wolfberry or Tibetan barberry.

Fat fight! Using goji for weight loss

Superfood became popular thanks to models and bloggers. It was they who began to actively use it to maintain slimness. And now goji berries are most often used for weight loss. It is important to understand that the product has nothing to do with fat burners. I’ll reveal a terrible secret - there is not a single substance on the planet that can save us from the hated kilograms. But we can do this ourselves. And superfoods help a lot with this.

What do goji berries do when consumed regularly:

• improve internal metabolism and help restore metabolic rate;
• improve digestion, gastrointestinal function, and have a positive effect on microflora. This affects the absorption of vitamins, minerals, the breakdown of nutrients, including fats;
• reduce sugar levels, prevent sudden surges in glucose, which helps avoid sudden attacks of hunger. It is overeating that causes excess weight;
• improve mood and help fight stress. In 90% of cases, it is they who become the cause of breakdowns and “gluts”;
• They give strength, energy, and increase the tone of the body. It will be much easier to play sports and lead an active lifestyle with such “doping.”

Cool? Still would! There is just one important point. Superfood will only help those who really want to lose weight. You can’t do without adjustments in your diet. I’ll have to forget about my mother’s pies, delicious sausage and beer with fish in the evenings. But you don’t need to go on a strict diet either. Proper balanced nutrition is everything to us.

Bonus! Goji is not pills or strange herbal infusions. The berries have a pleasant taste. And from them you can prepare a lot of interesting desserts and drinks. This is the best antidepressant, especially for those with a sweet tooth. Below I will leave some cool recipes, including a version of an alcoholic cocktail and tea for weight loss.

Choosing a landing site

You are interested in the goji plant, and you want to grow it on your plot, then keep in mind that growing goji is easy, but the bush quickly grows in width and it will not be easy to get rid of the plant. Goji quickly takes over an area and can crowd out other plants. Therefore, goji bushes should be planted at the end of the plot, near ditches, near the road, near the garden or garden. He will even like to grow in a vacant lot.

Goji loves the sun, so it needs to be planted in appropriate areas.

Do berries work against the flu?

Not long ago, American scientists set out to study the ability of goji berries to increase the body's immune defense. Research has so far only been conducted on animals. A group of mice that constantly had these berries in their diet showed higher resistance to influenza viruses and other infectious agents. The animals showed generally higher immunity than their counterparts who were not given goji. If they did get sick, the infection was milder, the symptoms were less intense, and recovery was much faster. Exactly which substances included in the composition provide such an effect have not yet been established.

Growing goji

The bush of an adult plant reaches up to three meters in height. In early summer, goji blooms with white and purple trumpet-shaped flowers that turn into glossy, bright red berries by late summer.

Goji is a resistant plant and can tolerate temperatures from minus 26 to plus 40 0 ​​C. The plant is not demanding of moisture and is not afraid of drought.

Goji propagation by seeds

Goji can be propagated by seed and vegetative methods. Using a fruit seed, you can grow a bush. Goji seeds are washed after being removed from the ripe fruit and sown in moist soil. They are sprinkled with soil in a small layer. Then the crops are moistened with a spray bottle; excessive watering is not allowed. It is advisable to provide drainage in the seed container by placing broken shards and sand at the bottom.

The container with the crops is covered with glass or polyethylene to create a greenhouse effect and speed up germination. The shelter is removed after the formation of individual leaves on the seedlings, while the sprouts are provided with sufficient lighting and a temperature of 20-25 0 C.

When there are 2-3 leaves, you can start picking the plants into separate containers. Goji grown from seeds will bloom in the second year of life, and it forms berries in 3-4 years.

Vegetative propagation

For propagation, one- and two-year-old cuttings 10-15 cm long are taken. The cutting should have 3-4 buds. The cuttings are cut at an angle with a sharp knife or pruning shears. The blanks are planted in a greenhouse, in a substrate consisting of sand and peat, deepened to 3-5 cm (the lower bud should be in the ground).

Goji can also be propagated by root suckers, which is very easy to do, because the plant grows quickly.

Contraindications for eating goji

When used in reasonable quantities, goji berries will not cause harm to the body. Abuse can provoke the formation of calcifications in the kidneys, since the product contains a high concentration of iron and calcium. The daily intake of dried berries should not exceed 50 grams. For an adult, 20-30 grams is enough to maintain health.

What are the contraindications for goji berries:

• children under three years of age;
• stones in the kidneys;
• acute gastrointestinal diseases;
• pregnancy period;
• lactation period;
• increased body temperature;
• hypervitaminosis (superfoods should not be consumed simultaneously with vitamin-mineral complexes),

A superfood is more than just a product. It contains many nutrients and plant compounds. Therefore, you need to get to know each other carefully. Goji rarely causes allergies, but individual intolerance has not been canceled. We begin to introduce several berries into the diet. If the body does not rage, feel free to increase the amount.

Goji berry picking

Goji fruits ripen all summer, so you need to collect elongated berries that resemble grapes. The goji bush is prickly, its thorns are up to 2.5 cm in length, so the harvest is carefully harvested. It is better to spread a tarpaulin or blanket under the bush and trudge the bush. You need to repeat the process every 2 days, since birds love ripe goji berries, and you may have nothing left.

Goji berries can be consumed fresh or dried, or they can be frozen. You can make drinks from them and use them in baking.

Where to buy and how to take goji berries

Goji berries can be purchased at health food stores, including online. We have selected options for you that can be purchased in the iherb.com store.

Whole sun-dried organic goji berries. Ideal for consumption as a tasty addition to smoothies, porridge and salads.

Dragon Herbs, Mountain Goji Berry, 8 oz (227 g)

Ojio, Organic Goji Berries, Hand Picked, 8 oz (227 g)

Options that can be taken for therapeutic purposes are goji berries in juice, powder, and capsule extract forms.

Now Foods, Goji, Superfood Juice, 946 ml

Navitas Organics, Organic, Goji Berry Powder, 8 oz. (227 g)

Doctor's Best, Best Goji Berry Extract, 600 mg, 120 Vegetarian Capsules

Goji berries have a naturally sweet but slightly tart flavor, much like cranberries. Some people also find that they have a slight "herbaceous" aftertaste, making them especially useful in savory recipes. Goji are similar to raisins, as they are usually sold dried, but they have a brighter pink color and a sweet-tart flavor.

There are many ways to take goji berries by adding them to your favorite foods. Traditionally, goji berries were cooked before consumption in China and used in recipes such as rice congee, almond jelly and Chinese tonic soups, or combined with chicken or pork, vegetables and other healthy plant foods such as wild yam or licorice root. The berries are also boiled to make herbal goji berry tea and goji berry juice or wines (similar to how grapes are used).

You can eat goji berries raw or soak them in hot water to help them plump up a bit.

A few popular ways to enjoy them are adding some to smoothies, oatmeal or plain yogurt, or tossing them into a salad.

If you enjoy cooking and baking, keep in mind that dried goji can be added to baked goods, cooked in sweet sauces, or used as a garnish for roasted vegetables or many desserts.

Final Thoughts

We looked at the scientific facts about what goji berries are, what their benefits and harms are, and how to take them for health.

Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) are the fruit of a shrub native to China and other parts of Asia. Goji berry, or “wolfberry,” has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years for its ability to help fight disease, improve digestion, and protect against the effects of aging.

The variety of goji berries, consumed raw, dried, or liquid or powdered form, contains a wide range of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. They are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and amino acids.

Benefits of goji berries include: lowering blood glucose levels and protecting against type 2 diabetes, reducing hypertension, reducing the risk of infections, colds or fevers, regulating cholesterol and triglycerides, protecting skin and eyes, and much more.

How to take goji berries for medicinal purposes? It is best to use goji berry juice, as it contains a concentrate of nutrients.

A few popular ways to enjoy goji berries are to add some to smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt.

The potential harm of goji berries may occur with excessive consumption or in cases of allergies.

Culture of "eating"

Goji in China is a waste-free plant. Bark, leaves, shoots and berries are used there, but subject to certain proportions and doses. You should start eating berries with one or two, especially fresh ones. If after a few hours no signs of poisoning or an allergic reaction appear, then the berries are not contraindicated for you.

Goji berries should be eaten after meals per day, up to 10 g. You can make tea from dry leaves; you should drink it in the late afternoon after meals, as it has a relaxing effect. The leaves are harvested in May and dried in the shade. Brewing: 200 ml of water – 2 g of leaves.

There is a lot of interest in this plant, try planting it on your plot and you will get a useful, valuable berry.

How to choose the right quality berries

Cross-section of real goji berries: how to recognize a fake.
The main supplier of berries is China; European analogues may be fake. When buying fruits in bulk, do not confuse them with barberry; it looks very similar to goji, but smaller in size and with a peculiar smell.

How to choose quality dried goji berries:

• the peel should not shine, have dark spots or white coating;
• the color is red or coral red, but not burgundy;
• They taste sourish-sweet, but not cloying. Otherwise, they were picked green and boiled in sugar syrup.
• the berries should be crumbly and not stick together;
• the presence of a white coating and the smell of sulfur indicates that the fruits have been treated with chemicals.
• If you hold the berry in your hand, it should not leave any marks on the skin.
• There are several seeds inside and they are small in size.

If you decide to place an order, then start with a trial purchase. First read the reviews of those who have already purchased the products. Look on the forums for people's reviews about distributors and the quality of the products offered.