The Goji plant is a deciduous woody shrub, typically 3 to 6 ft tall when pruned and cultivated, although plants could reach 12 feet tall in their normal condition. Goji berry leaves are kind on the take in packages of up to 3 or alternating structures, each having a lanceolate or egg-like form. These species form an ellipsoidal berry 1 to 2 cm in diameter with a bright orange-red colour.
The amount of seed in each berry varies widely by variety and the size of the fruit, with 10 to 60 small yellow seeds that can be compressed with a curved embryo. China ranks number one in commercial goji berry production. You can grow the goji berries in containers, pots, and greenhouses. Commercial cultivation of Goji Berry will bring good profits under ideal horticultural farming practices. Growing Goji berries as they are known for their high medicinal and nutritional values.
If you are not growing these berries on a commercial scale, it is best to keep the goji berry plant indoors or in a greenhouse during the first 6 weeks of their growth. But after it is fully developed, you can transplant the shrub to your lawn or garden to allow it to develop further.
How to Grow the Goji Berries in India
When you start to plant goji berries, you need to know the various most important sections that will be helpful in profitable commercial farming. We can provide information related to tractors more reliable in goji berries. We recommend the Farmtrac tractor, which aids in goji berries farming “from tillage to planting”. However, you can check all tractor information with John Deere tractor price online.
1. Climate Requirement
Goji berries can tolerate both summers and cold winters. But this type of plant does not like much water. So if anyone resides in a place with regular rainfall, you can keep your goji plant indoors.
Plants do best in full sunlight, so choose a spot in your backyard that receives sunlight throughout the day. If you cannot find a location that offers adequate sunlight exposure, place your goji berry plant indoors and under a full spectrum light for 2 hours each day. This will ensure that the plant produces maximum berries. Generally, goji plants require at least 8 hours of sunlight per day for optimum growth and yield.
2. Soil Requirement
You can grow goji berry plants on a wide variety of soils rich in organic matter with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.0. Avoid salinity soils as these plants cannot tolerate this type of soil. The ideal soil for optimum yield is light sandy loam with good drainage. It also requires good sunlight. Goji berries can be grown in the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant (USDA) hardiness zones 2 through 7. Commercial goji berry growers should conduct soil tests for the feasibility of growing goji berries. This test also makes you look for any nutrient and micronutrient deficiencies in the soil.
3. Propagation
Goji berry plant propagation can be done with softwood (new growth) cuttings taken in summer and hardwood (old growth) cuttings taken in winter.
Take your softwood cuttings in summer – the cuttings should be 4″ to 6″ tall with a set of three or more leaves. Take the cuttings in the morning, when their moisture content is highest, and then wrap them in a damp towel to stable them from drying out. Remove the leaves in the lower half of the cuttings, dip the ends in a rooting hormone, and set them in small baskets of half perlite and half peat moss. Wrap the strands in plastic bags and open them daily to allow air circulation. The important thing is to keep the cutting moist until rooting. After a couple of weeks, remove the bag.
4. Land Preparation
You should prepare the selected field of goji berry plantation. The most suitable areas are those used for annual grass crops. During the early spring, the field has to be spread over 350 to 400 kg/ha of superphosphate, 150 kg/ha of potassium and 20 to 25 t/ha of well-rotted manure, followed by ploughing of the field. It is performed one month before planting to a depth of 35 cm.
5. Spacing and Planting
You can do the goji berry planting in spring or summer. Before planting, the field is levelled and also marked. When developing large-scale plantations with machinery, the plants have been planted in rows from 2 metres to 2.5 metres distance. Apart from this, it needs the 1.5 metres to 1.8 metres distance between the plants in the rows. Then, you can create the planting in holes wide enough to place the plant roots.
The young seedlings are carefully pulled out of the container, not disturbing the root system. Next, the plant is put into a small handmade hole. Take care not to put the plate any deeper than it was placed in the container. After planting, the soil is well pressed, and each is given 3 to 4 litres of water. To avoid rapid evaporation of water, cover the area with dry soil or use foil. After planting, the soil between rows is well pressed, and we recommend using a little cultivator to make it friable. During drought, young plantings are watered an additional 1 to 2 times a summer.
6. Irrigation Requirement
These plants do not withstand too much water and survive any water-logging conditions. Make sure the soil has the best moisture content until roots are established in the soil. Avoid water pressure, especially at the time of berry formation. A drip irrigation system is ideal for irrigation in Goji berry growing. Small-scale farmers can get a 90% subsidy on drip systems in India from state government schemes.
7. Manures and Fertilisers
Nitrogen is recommended at 35 kg to 40 kg/acre each year for a mature planting, divided into three applications at bud break, flowering, and then as the fruit begins to ripen. Plants are vulnerable to high sodium levels. You can use compost to provide nutrients as long as sodium levels are not excessive.
8. Pruning for Goji Berry Farming
The idea of pruning in goji berry growing is to limit plant height, promote light penetration into the plant, improve foliar drying, and prevent the formation of lateral branches from maximising berry fruit yield. Canes left untipped will continue to grow and produce few lateral branches, while canes tipped back will produce more lateral and higher yields. Goji berry plants are usually limited to 1 single main stem. You should do the pruning during the dormant period to remove the prickly cane, remove dead and, improve the plant’s shape, and shorten the flanks. During the summer, pruning should be carried out to the extension of the back of the head, promoting lateral formation and eliminating fresh limbs. One of the significant goals of pruning is to create an open canopy structure that allows sunlight to penetrate.
When you want information about goji berries cultivation, you should also know the propitious equipment to boost the yield. Rotavators, cultivators, tillers and tractors have an important role in this Cultivation process. However, the tractor is the most pivotal among all the equipment. Hence we recommend the Indo Farm tractor models for goji berries farming in India. You can choose other popular tractor models at an affordable price. And Captain tractor price and any other tractor price easily available at tractor websites.
For further information about goji berries farming in India, stay tuned with us.
