The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Growing => Fruit => Topic started by: Fluffywelshsheep on March 11, 2009, 06:45:24 pm
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Anyone gt any info on these i am thinking on buying some for the garden from suttons seeds
I know they are a himalyian species so i think you can grow them in central scotland anyone had an experience with them?
Linz
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Bought my daughter some, she is going to try them out..I also keep telling her to join this forum as she would find it useful......hope your berries turn out well :o
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What are they? - how do you grow them? - what do you do with them?
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I know they are a super food!! I bough them from a health food shop as my daughter loves them, never read how you grow them, we will see....
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OK, curiosity got the better of me - did a google - after reading all thsi I MUST get some!!! ;)
It is also known as Chinese wolfberry, barbary matrimony vine, bocksdorn, Duke of Argyll's tea tree, Murali (in India), red medlar or matrimony vine -
Goji berries have been used for 6,000 years by herbalists in China, Tibet and India to:
protect the liver
help eyesight
improve sexual function and fertility
strengthen the legs
boost immune function
improve circulation
promote longevity
Goji berries are rich in antioxidants, particularly carotenoids such as beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. One of zeaxanthin's key roles is to protect the retina of the eye by absorbing blue light and acting as an antioxidant. In fact, increased intake of foods containing zeathanthin may decrease the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in people over the age of 65.
Moreifno here - http://mammaearth.com/superfoods/goji-berries-500g/prod_54.html
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Wow!!!! truly super food..I am off to find some, I could do with a boost to my health!!!!
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As an avid watcher of Gardener's world (had a 'thing' for Monty Don ;)) I remember a huge fuss being made about these berries and how important it is to source UK raised plants or seeds, apparently there is/was some kind of disease in certain imported ones. Any from Suttons are fine though Linz. I think they grow quite well, the guy on GW had them in his allotment, but in our colder climate I'd be tempted to put them into big pots so you can move them to shelter in winter.
Let me know how you get on - I'll maybe give them a go next year.
Karen
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I had bought plants before, I think they were grown in Europe by Spalding or another big nursery. They didn't do well in my garden, but I want to grow some as well from seed. Julian Graves gave packets of seed away if you bought any product containing the fruit! It's funny that they are so popular here, heralded as the Tibetan super food (that might just be another Chinese publicity stunt to boost the fruit sales). I did some studies of Tibetan medicine and the very best considered there traditionally are the pomegranate and Sea Buckthorn, which actually does grow in the Himalayas! I'm willing to give the Goji plants another go, I like any dried berries, lol. :&>
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They are here - Thompson-Morgan - http://www.thompson-morgan.com/fruit1/group/goji+berry.html?er=google;term=gogi+berries&gclid=CK3cpv24npkCFYKB3godJCF1Uw
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if you buy from sutton you get £5 off by using the code PCS9 in the reference number section
thats £5 off anything but you nee to pay postage
Linz
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just found this how to grow them from dried fruit
http://www.kenpreston.me.uk/blog/blogs/index.php/2008/01/26/grow_your_own_goji_berries
:&>
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Just had an email from suttons seeds - they are doing 3 berries, cranberry, blueberry and goji for £14.99 (plants in 9cm pots)
I'm trying (and failing) to resist them - I'll let you know how I get on ! :yum:
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Just been on the phone to my brother and he has little plants in his garden, he said they grow all over Corby Northants, the council planted them as they are pretty, they are also called "Duke of Argyles Tea Plant" how strange....
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http://www.habitas.org.uk/flora/species.asp?Item=37222
it was so named after a mixup with labels , as explained in the link !!! Interesting though , think I might give them a go (if I can get the dried berries from tesco ?).....
cheers
Russ
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I think I've seen them at Tesco, in the health food range with seeds, etc. :&>
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sorry for the spelling, I keep leaving stuff out, anyway, they sound great.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfberry
no probs with speelong Sandy !!!! ::) , yes they do sound good !!!
Yep they did have them at tesco's NFD , Just put in my order and got a bag of dried berries 100g for £1.99 also got a 100g bag of dried cranberries for £1. I will see if it works with them too (going to use some anyway !!)
cheers
Russ
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wish I read that before I went to Morrisons, no Gogi berries there....my brother told me about a plant that takes away your appetite, it grew where I used to live, Woodhouse Eaves on the edge of Bradgate Park Leicestershire...I could do with a bit/lot of that plant as well...I l ove food...here is my Chinese... :pig:
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I bought some Goji berries and Cranberries today, so if anyone wants to have a go at growing them let me know, I can post out as well as local. Will take some to CSSA meeting next Wednesday.
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Hi Sandy,
Just by some weird coincidence I bought dried Goji berries in Morrisons in Stirling last week. They are in the baking isle opposite the bread flour.
x x Gill
:yum:
wish I read that before I went to Morrisons, no Gogi berries there....my brother told me about a plant that takes away your appetite, it grew where I used to live, Woodhouse Eaves on the edge of Bradgate Park Leicestershire...I could do with a bit/lot of that plant as well...I l ove food...here is my Chinese... :pig:
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Well, :o some things are hard to find in Supermarkets, I once tried the diet that was on Breakfast television, I downloaded some meal plans and they all had stuff that had me roaming around the supermarkets...I never thought of the bakery Isle.....Thanks...I was looking in the fruit and nuts, found cranberries....I will do my main shop and get some. We should all turn out to be super healthy soon!!
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You may have started a run on gogi berries!! I think I will look for some plants, too - worth a go!
Carole
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I'm just going to soak some and try planting them. Mind you I wasn't terribly impressed with the taste of them dried. Might be better plumped up like raisins
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Annie, I think I read that there was a chemical in the soft pulp of the fruit, that stopped the seed from germinating . somewhat like tomatoes. You scoop out all the seeds and then ferment the pulp/seeds and seperate the seeds from it , then dry the seed and then sow. I think it takes very much longer otherwise . You have to wait for the fruit to decompose and disappear , before the seed will germinate. It cuts the proccess down from many months to a few days. As for taste , I don't like any dried fruit as is ...I always have to soak it or use it in cooking ie cakes etc. My all time fafourite is Barra brith:
10 oz mixed fruit
2/3 pint hot tea
3 oz soft brown sugar
Grated rind of 1 lemon
12 oz self-raising whole meal flour
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1 large egg
Soak the mixed fruit in the hot tea, cover and leave to stand overnight. Next day set oven to 350F or Mark4, and grease and line a 2lb loaf tin. Strain the fruit and reserve the liquid. Mix together the fruit with the other ingredients in a bowl, adding the reserved liquid a little at a time until a soft dropping consistency is achieved. Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 45 - 55 minutes until risen and firm to the touch. Cool and serve sliced and buttered.
MMMMmmmm lovely ....I can taste it now.....
cheers
Russ
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Yes, that's right, Russ. I googled it. You soak the dried fruit, then squeeze out the seeds and soft stuff, leave to dry on kitchen paper, then the seeds shake off easily and can be planted. Off to have a cuppa now anyway so will go and soak some gojis :-) will let everyone know what happens in a day or so. Might try that recipe sometime - not tonight as I'm off to a working seminar tomorrow so need an early night so I can concentrate on what I'm being told about how to read my dog and to use the wind. etc
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While doing a bit more research I found this
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/super-berry-poses-risk-to-uks-tomato-and-potato-crops-872401.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/super-berry-poses-risk-to-uks-tomato-and-potato-crops-872401.html)
Make sure the ones you buy are certified disease free - for the sake of your poor veggie plot :o ;)
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good one HH,
always worth getting as much information as possible . I did notice ,however, that nowhere in the article did they mention an actual specific disease !!! just that it was a member of the same family etc, and COULD spread disease ???.....It then went on to say about the 90,000 plants that are in this country already, from outside the EU !!!! There-in lies the rub !!!! Only EU plants are certified ( or should that read taxable via import duty?). We import food from all over the world here in the UK , but only prohibited Goji plants are liable to spread disease?????? No disease can be spread via food such as bananas, potatoes , grain ,fruit, and even HUMANS ???? perhaps they should should tighten up the laws in other areas first ? It really does sound like a scare ploy to make sure only taxable plants from the EU are bought ? One way to make sure either way .... grow from seed..... (Some days I am an even grumpier old man than others...... ::) ;D)
Still , worth reading and watching where you buy plants from , but I do doubt the real integrity of the information at source of origin .
cheers
Russ
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Think you've got a point there Rusty - it does make you wonder about "hidden agendas" ...
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It clicked with me years ago that we are told what the government want us to know and also pursuaded to be certain citizans I.e buy the latest stuff, have all the mod cons etc, if you do not live like this, especialy if yo have a family, you are seen as strange. My family has always been what they want to be, i am not for bending and often look at the scarmungering on the news, after all, the media create loads of problems..be aware!!!! we may be brainwashed but not me
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I know it's a bit off from Goji berries, but I just read an article about the smallholding mum who lost her 15-year old daughter to rape and murder in India last year. I can't believe how the cheapo newspapers and with them mainstream society judges people because they live a life outside the norm (9-5 2 working parents with a childminder and lots of spending power). If this girl had a different background, there would have been some considerate pressure on the Indian authorities, I bet.
Back to the Goji berries - it was never clear to me what the unnamed disease would be...I understood that it might affect other plants from the same family, like potatoes and tomatoes. Maybe some kind of blight?
:&>
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I watched that programme and thought the same...I get it all the time, if you don't have the lates trend you are strange. I thought that women, forgot her name at the moment, was doing her best for her family, what a nice life....all those kids going to School in designer labels, with posh cars and nice houses and parents in LOADS of deubt!!!!! I can oly say my girls are grounded but they are in thier 30's... take a look at the pressure on us buying stuff!!!! I get so mad that people think you are strange if you do not conform...I say WELL DONE.... >:(
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Absolutely! Now there's a positive side of the Credit Crunch - less shite to buy and less crap to get dumped. Don't get me wrong, I do feel for all those people who lost their jobs, but this is the chance to turn things around. Not convinced if pumping millions into the banks is the way...
We do have the benefit of living near a University town and I make my eldest look at all those clever kids really closely and what they are wearing. IT DOESN'T MATTER! I think she's getting it...:&>
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I remember my eldest, born in 1973, she wanted some designer trainers so i said she needed to get a job and save for them, she did and she bought them but went off them..all my daughters new the value of money, my youngest was very frugal at school and used to sew her own tights up!!!! I have been so mad with the banks for lending people more money than they can re pay. I worked in Social Services and so many had loads of debut, they had several holidays a year, Sky or similar,the latest phone, car, fashion and most were on benefits and me in my well paid job had to budget!!! strange world in deed. I too think the credit crunch may help put peoples lives into perspective..I hope
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Not keen on them Gogi berries..... :P I will eat them all up cause they should do me good...I hope!!!
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I prefer them soaked first - have planted some seeds. Will let you all know how they grow or if they grow :-)
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Not keen on them Gogi berries..... :P I will eat them all up cause they should do me good...I hope!!!
LOL! I'd heard they were a bit bitter.
On BBC2's 'Grow your own drugs' programme last week they had a recipe for a chicken soup that had the berries in it
http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/features/growyourowndrugs/episode1.shtml (http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/features/growyourowndrugs/episode1.shtml)
might make them more tasty !
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They're better soaked first but yes, they are a little bitter. I have saved some seeds if anyone wants to try growing them. Let me know, I can post out
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well ... first of all I should explain that I get my groceries from Tesco ( my favourite shop ??????) for one reason , they are the only one that delivers to the area I live . It is cheaper for me to pay for delivery than to drive anywhere, and the local shop is so dear, I only ever buy from there if I really am desperate !! Anyway , the only thing that they didn't have today was ???? you guessed it .... the goji berries....lol No worries , I will get some as soon as they have them . I was looking forward to tasting them UNTIL I read the posts about how bitter they are . I hate bitter anything !!! Not to worry though I can mix them with other dried fruit and hide the taste.... ::)
cheers
Russ
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The dried ones reminded me of bitter dates, not too bad, I have eaten worse stuff!!!!! They probably better mixed with a few seeds and nuts and other dried fruit. I remember those pumpkin seeds and the tummy ache very well :bfly:
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i didn't think they where bitter but my taste have gone a bit weird (due to pregancy) tasted a bit like the rasiens you get in the cardboard boxs
linz
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I bought some ages ago when that Gillian Mcwotsername said they were good for you. And as far as her recommendations go, whilst they might be good for you I thought they tasted bleuch! The local plant nursery by me is selling small plants & they do very well in our Scottish climes apparantly (being based on a Himalayan stock). Our nursery is well up on berrys as they grow rasps, strabs etc to sell onto the commercial farms around here (berry country Blairgowrie!). That said I have resisted the urge to add to the fruit cage as I an still taste the dried blighters from a few years ago!
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I bought a pack of dried berries and keep them next to the computer to nibble but I keep making patterns with them, is anyone else doodling with Goji Berries? I made a row of them, flowers and circles, how strange.....I also have taken to really not liking them now, not sure if they give me
t
um
my
ache
and wind :bfly: :bee: :bfly:!!!!! I maybe should eliminate everything else from m diet to find out!!! well maybe not....I wounder if I am healthier ?:-\[/color] well made a mess of this post...sorry!
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I got my pack of dried goji berries today . I soaked 6 berries in teppid water and squished out the guts, and then spread the pulp onto kitchen paper to dry. When dry I sorted the seeds and counted them ...I got 153 ..not bad ... thats 25.5 per berry.. So it is a very cheap way of obtaining the seeds , just a matter now of sowing them and seeing how many (if any?) germinate.
I tasted one , and it was not too bad.... I am not a dried fruit eater really ... don't mind it at all in cooking , just not as is , out of the pack like peanuts so to speak , but I will try some more tomorrow ( see how brave I am ???) and hope they don't turn on me!!!!! lol.Will post updates on the germination rate , I will also have a go with cranberries and blueberries .
cheers
Russ
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thanks for this thread, mrs SB has dired goji berries with her breakfast each day - though not for the last few weeks.
Anyway, looks like they'll grow just fine here, so i've ordered 3 1YO EU raised plants
Hoepfully next summer we'll have our own Goji's. One more step on the way to growing all our own food. delighted
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I will also have a go with cranberries and blueberries .
cheers
Russ
I was gona try cranberries but ate them all without realising lol
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My sister gave me a cranberry bush last year, seems to be doing nicely in its pot. Goji berries haven't germinated yet.
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scrub the cranberries.....not a single seed in them !!!!! lol. will have to try and get some fresh berries instead. Will try the dried bluebrries next ...if tesco sell them ? ::)
cheers
Russ
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Yippee!!! It worked! I have 3 teenie weenie seedlings popping through the compost!
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i ordered 3 plants 2 weeks ago and still no sign of them!!! grrrrr
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That's not too bad - I'm still waiting for my strawberry plants - more than 3 weeks now! Half of the order arrived (the bulbs), so there is hope :&>
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it took a while for my thing to arrive, If buy from a postal service (like Thompson and morgan and suttons) they try to send out when weather is to say good not to cold not to hot for items so they don't dye in post before they get to you.
we are due a realy cold snap at the moment.
linz
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we are due a realy cold snap at the moment
Not on Friday I hope - don't fancy you and me freezing to death outside planting these tiny seedlings!
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the plants arrived on sat, so i've put them into large pots and will be keeping them in the greenhouse for a month or so, then once they are looking a bt bigger, i'll move them out.
i know they are hardy, but thought i'd give them an easy start in life!!
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The ones I bought and planted outdoors last year aren't doing very well. They've hardly grown, one looks pretty dead. I'm considering potting the remaining 2 as well, they might do better in a container...:&>
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So, planted my 3 goji plants in pots in the greenhouse about a month ago - they are coming along very nicely, been a fair bit of growth and looking very green and healthy.
they are only 1 year old plants just now, so i'm not expecting any fruit this year.
think i'll move the pots out of the greenhouse as soon as these showers stop, give them a summer outside and then i'll move them back into the greenhouse over winter before moving into a permanent spot in the garden next feb/march
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My seedlings are coming along fine too - guess I'll be a year or two behind you folk with ready made plants but if these grow from an ordinary packet from the supermarket then I may try something else. Any ideas?