[Fluffywelshsheep]

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

[sandy]

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

[doganjo]

What are they? - how do you grow them? - what do you do with them?

[sandy]

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....

[doganjo]

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

[sandy]

Wow!!!! truly super food..I am off to find some, I could do with a boost to my health!!!!

[HappyHippy]

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

[northfifeduckling]

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.

[doganjo]

They are here - Thompson-Morgan - http://www.thompson-morgan.com/fruit1/group/goji+berry.html?er=google;term=gogi+berries&gclid=CK3cpv24npkCFYKB3godJCF1Uw

[Fluffywelshsheep]

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

[northfifeduckling]

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

[HappyHippy]

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 ! 

[sandy]

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....

[rustyme]

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

[northfifeduckling]

I think I've seen them at Tesco, in the health food range with seeds, etc.