[colinhendy]

Hi all, new to site, and forum, i am an allotment holder in south wales for the last five years,and i am looking for advice /tips on growing gogi berries, any help much  appreciated. ta.

[lancashiregardeninggal]

Hi there - I heard that Gogi Berries were banned in the UK and Europe as the plants are related to the potato family (solancae) and there was a risk with disease - however I don't know the latest on this - maybe I'm a bit behind

[8doubles]

I grew some from seed in pots to 40cm twigs then they just gave up and died.
I think the wet winter and not enough drainage was the problem .

The blackbird would probably have eaten all the berries if it had survived like it did with the blueberries.

[JayG]

Welcome Colin!

I'll move your thread to the "Grow Your Own" forum where it is more likely to be read by someone who can answer your question.

Please add your location ("South Wales" will do) to your personal site profile as advice often varies with the questioner's location.

[Paddywack]

Hi Colin,

I hope they are not banned, ive got 3 growing in my front window,

Last year i bought some gogi berries from ASDA, took out the seeds and planted those in compost.

The plants are now sat in my front window, they get lots of sun, are about 18 inches high and are growing like mad.

I will wait until its gets warmer, transfer to the green house to see how they do, then all being well they will go outside in pots, that way i can bring them in if they start to struggle.

have a go Colin and good luck!

[Dominic]

There was an import ban, which applies to all "novel fruits", however it was rescinded when it was proved Goji Berries have been imported for 200 years.

Quite why the EU feels a need to ban the importation of new fruits, I wouldnt speculate.

[mikem]

The DEFRA web site shows "Large numbers of Lycium chinense 'goji berry' plants were imported to the UK from China during 2007 and 2008. The majority were dispatched to over 27,000 mail order customers across the UK. Samples of these plants were subsequently found to have been carrying A. kuko. It is believed that the mite successfully overwintered outside during 2007 - 2008. It is highly likely that other 'goji berry' plants from the same source were also carrying the mite and as a result this pest may be distributed across private gardens and allotments in the UK.

Continued surveillance and publicity to supplement publicity and advice already distributed through DEFRA and the gardening media. Destruction of any 'goji berry' plants found to have been imported from outside the EU will continue due to the plant health risks and the fact that this is an illegal trade.

If you grow them from seed then all would be OK.  If you buy a plant then you should find out where it was grown, if you buy through EBAY I would have concern.  If you buy from  a major normal "seed supplier" e.g. Suttons, Kings etc then you should have no problem.

[asd1]

Hi , I got given a small gogi plant nearly 3 years ago I put it in a pot with some ericaceous compost and it is now four foot tall, they do fine in winter left outside and it's one of the first things to come into leaf this year not had any flowers or fruit yet tho

[Yorkie]

If you do a forum search for goji (not gogi) berry you should find some other threads as people have asked about this in the past

[kingdhesiii]

I dont see the point in them tbh, they taste rather gash !!

[colinhendy]

Hi, thanks Jay g for the welcome and redirection,and thanks to all who answered,

[Carollan]

banned?banned?goodness,I`m getting a bit perturbed by all this EU legislation.................
my question is,how do you get the dang bushes to FRUIT? i have many many plants,they are easy to propagate with hormone rooting powder,but all I get is leaves and twigs.last year,5 fruis,which I could munch in an instant.Any ideas?

[pawsnclaws]

my dad has some in his garden i have just taken over hate the dried ones lol hope the real ones are better it also has lots of gooseberries lol and i hate them going to have to find something to put them in so i cant taste them lol