Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi,
Have been browsing the net and come across Goji berries - plants can be bought and they seem to be he 'in' wonder fruit. The plants are frost and drought resistant and easy to grow - seem to good to be true. Just wondered if anyone has tried them and what pests etc they may be susceptible to. Anything which is drought resistant has some appeal at the moment. WOuld welcome any comments!
Hilary

I have some 15 small plants I have grown from seed this year. Easy germination.. etc..
Wait another years and I'll comment more:-)

Where would one get seed for goji berrys?

Does anyone know what you actually do with goji berries Primrose posted this question a while back and received no replies You will find her post if you do a forum search on goji. You will also find this link:
http://www.timpanogosnursery.com/site/9 ... age/416906
When you know what to do with them, let me know and I might let my wife buy some - I've put her off so far by asking "What will you do with them?" No answer.

Alan

Well if you dry them you can sell them on the internet as health food for £29.95 for 500g Also known as Wolfberries apparently and is nature's viagra.

Wolfberry is also another name for the western snowberry or Goji, known as 'The most nutritious and antioxidant-rich superfood known to man'.

* In the BBC magazine, claims it as "fruit Viagra", "cellulite-busting", loved by celebrities like Madonna, Liz Hurley and Mischa Barton.
* Goji berries have over 2000% more antioxidants than oranges.
* Goji berries are packed full of antioxidants, proteins, minerals and omegas, all essential for good health.
* Many celebrities have recently discovered the benefits of these berries. Chinese, however, have known about them and have been eating them for more than 2000 years!
* A 10-30g serving (a small handful) is recommended as a good daily intake, although you can eat as many as you like!
* A great source for one of your 5 a day portions of fruit or veg.

This makes them potentially excellent for:

* Boosting energy and general well being
* Fortifying and maintaining a healthy immune system
* Defending and fighting against many cancers
* Fighting heart disease (thanks to all the betacarotene!)
* Lowering cholesterol
* Maintaining healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels
* Reducing blood glucose levels
* Improving eyesight, blurred vision and hearing
* Strengthening and supporting healthy liver and kidney function
* Strengthening bones and tendons
* Maintaining a healthy nervous system
* Protecting skin from sun damage (the betacarotene again!)
* Preventing morning sickness (used in the first trimester)
* Improving cellulite (referred to as a cellulite assasin by Dr Howard Murad, a top dermatologist)
* Assisting in weight loss
* Promoting happiness (it's said a handful in the morning will make you happy all day!)
* Boosts sex drive / libido
* Enhancing fertility
* Full of anti-aging properties (known as the fruit of longevity)

Blimey Chantal

Better not tell the wife they are "nature's viagra"

Alan

Hi,
Great replies about fruit - I was really wondering about growing them! How easy to prune etc. T & M are offering 3 bareroot plants for £9.99.....
Thanks
Hilary

Yes, I did post about Goji berries earlier and didn't get a response and confess the packet of dried ones I bought is still unopened. I'd intended to eat them in porridge (as I do other berries such as raspberries, blackberries, etc) and wasn't sure whether I should soak them first before chucking them in with the oats into the microwave. (Probably not as I don't soak other dried fruit like apricots & sultanas). As an aside, do you think that if I soaked a couple of berries and then planted them, they might germinate? (Although goodness knows where I would find the space to plant it if my efforts were successful!).
As for growing them, they do seem to grow very successfully in the wild so I imagine they are worth trying, although the roots looks as if they might be rather rampant and need a lot of space. I look forward to hearing about somebody's first successful attempt to grow them.

I take on board that they are nature's wonder fruit etc etc and the in thing, but before I buy some plants, does anyone know what they actually taste like?

I've now tried chewing some dried ones from my packet. They tasted rather like sultanas but without so much of the grapey tang. Not unpleasant but possibly nothing to write home about. Perhaps once they're soaked and mixed in with something they have a little more flavour.

Hi,
Just placed my order with T&M - will let you know in the autumn if I get any berries and what they are like - just a bit concerned about the extensive root run. Watch this space ..............
Hilary

thanks Primrose for the taste test. I think I'll pass for the time being and stick to my blueberries!

Hello Hilary
I ordered some yesterday - so come the end of the season we can compare notes. I'm not really expecting too much in the first year though. Are the fruits attractive to birds? Might plant them in my fruit cage to be on the safe side.

John

Hello John,
I think any red fruit is attractive to the birds! I thought of netting mine but perhaps we are 'counting our chickens....! Will be interesting to see what happens!
Bye
Hilary

Hello again Hilary
Have your Goji plants arrived from T&M yet? Only the free offer of plastic patio kit has turned up here so far. What's the news at your end?

John