How to Take Cuttings of a Goji Berry
Goji berry plants, or Lycium barbarum, has several names–including wolfberry and boxthorn. Goji berries have become popular in the past decade for their medicinal purposes, but have been used for years before coming into the commercial spotlight. Goji berries are also used as houseplants, but their extensive root system and rapid growth must be kept under control with regular pruning or a planter pot. When planted outside, goji berries need warmer weather in zones 8 to 11. They can be propagated through cuttings with some simple materials.
Take your cutting from a healthy mature goji berry plant. Scrape the bark with your fingernail to see if it easily peels back a little, as this is the ideal situation. Next pick one with about three developed leaves off of a 6-inch piece of softwood stem.
- Goji berry plants, or Lycium barbarum, has several names–including wolfberry and boxthorn.
- Goji berries are also used as houseplants, but their extensive root system and rapid growth must be kept under control with regular pruning or a planter pot.
Cut the base of the stem from the larger branch it is growing from. Immediately place the cutting somewhere cool and moist, like a plastic baggie with a moist cool cloth.
Mix equal parts of perlite and peat moss. Fill a 3-inch clay pot with this mix. Keep the planter in a tray of water until the top of the planter soil is evenly wet, but not soaked. Remove from the water tray. Dig a narrow hole right into the middle of the soil.
- Cut the base of the stem from the larger branch it is growing from.
- Keep the planter in a tray of water until the top of the planter soil is evenly wet, but not soaked.
Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. Wet the top inch of the cutting with water, then dip into the rooting powder.
Plant the cutting with the powdered side down into the soil and lightly mound soil around the edges. Moisten the surrounding soil evenly and slowly. Cover the planter pot with a clear plastic bag and seal it around the bottom. Puncture some air holes into the bag with a needle. Keep the pot in a spot out of direct sun. Whether inside or outside, the ideal temperature should be around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The cutting should root in about 1 to 1 1/2 months.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
- Wet the top inch of the cutting with water, then dip into the rooting powder.
Tip
After planting the goji berry, keep it regularly misted with water for about two weeks before the maturing process starts.
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Tips
- After planting the goji berry, keep it regularly misted with water for about two weeks before the maturing process starts.
