Despite their vitamin-rich fruits, goji berries are a red rag for some gardeners, since even the varieties bred for cultivation in the garden tend to grow relatively strongly and thus also to spread in the garden. Therefore, regular pruning is an important part of caring for a goji berry.

Regular pruning keeps the goji berries in shape

The consistent cut of the goji berry makes sense in any case

Pruning a goji berry is not just for looks, it makes an important contribution to plant health and fruit yield on a number of levels, not least for the following reasons:

  • specimens that proliferate uncontrollably are more prone to mildew infestation
  • a shrub without regular care can quickly spread via sinkers and runners
  • Regular pruning usually promotes flowering

While it may make sense with other plants to let them grow as young plants, pruning measures that shape the goji berry are definitely advantageous. In principle, a goji berry should be cut in autumn, but if necessary you can also cut back particularly long shoots in spring and shorten them to a maximum length of 60 cm.

Raise the goji berry to form a compact shrub

In nature, the so-called common wolfberry (or dodder) does not exactly grow compactly, but rather spreads out over open spaces in a creeping manner despite its height. In order to be able to use the available space in a suitable location in the garden in the best possible way, it is advisable to consistently train young goji berries into a bush. For this purpose, the plant is cut back to a height of about 20 cm in the first year. In the second year, around five to six shoots with a length of around 60 cm can be left standing. From the third year, the training cut can then take place every two years, but it is usually advisable to cut back particularly long and therefore overhanging branches every year.

Positive effects of regular pruning on yield

Since regular pruning improves ventilation of the existing branches on the bush, mildew infestation is generally less common. A goji berry bush benefits from this in terms of health and can put all the more growth energy into the formation of flowers and thus into the fruit set. Shorter twigs usually have more fruit than extremely long twigs.

Use the cut material from the goji berry for propagation

You can use the branches of the goji berries obtained during pruning as cuttings for propagation. If the cut has been overlooked for a long period of time, the sinkers and runners that have probably already formed can be cut off with a sharp spade and transplanted.

tips

Be careful when it comes to fertilizing goji berries. Garden compost is usually sufficient for this. If very nitrogenous fertilizers are used, this strongly stimulates the mass growth of a goji berry bush, which runs counter to the pruning in the sense of a compact growth habit.

Category:

Vegetable garden