Goji berry - Disgusting!

[Squash64]

I planted it last year and it has grown well with lots of branches on it.  It would be about 6 ft tall but the branches hang over.

I noticed a berry the other day and ate it.

YUK!!

It seemed to be ripe so I don't think that was the problem.

I've never tasted them before, so maybe they are an acquired taste?

Anyone want a Goji plant?

[Squash64]

[shirlton]

I have one that an A4A member sent me but its not that big so if you are wanting to be rid of it Betty then I will have it ;D

[Squash64]

I have one that an A4A member sent me but its not that big so if you are wanting to be rid of it Betty then I will have it ;D

You can certainly have it Shirl.  I had to cut it back a bit because it was in the way.  When would you like to get it? 

[shirlton]

I could come on Sunday morning for tea and toast  as well Betty ;D

[Squash64]

I could come on Sunday morning for tea and toast  as well Betty ;D

See you on Sunday then!

[flossy]

   Goji berry bushes, shrubs , trees even  ---   6ft tall,  whoooo,  was going to buy one of those,

   -  thought they were like  '  plants '  ?   ::)

[Squash64]

   Goji berry bushes, shrubs , trees even  ---   6ft tall,  whoooo,  was going to buy one of those,

   -  thought they were like  '  plants '  ?   ::)

I imagined it would be a bit like a blueberry........it isn't!  Apart from the length of the branches, there are small thorns on them!  Wouldn't have been so bad if I'd enjoyed the fruit.
It's going to a new home on Sunday.  :)

[artichoke]

I planted them for the thorns because we had gangs of boys charging around and I hoped it would put them off trampling on leeks etc.

Suddenly council gave us fences and locked gates.

Very disappointed so far: did not start flowering until September, no berries at all yet. Pale purple flowers, a few light green berries, what can I expect next? And they have mildew. And are taking up a lot of space with their great long canes waving about (have fastened some to bamboo fence) which I do not like to prune because maybe the red berries will appear on them.......

[Squash64]

My plant is covered in mildew too.....

[dtw]

I've got a few plants, no thorns on mine though.
A few flowers, which I doubt will produce fruit this late in the year.

[Digeroo]

I planted them for the thorns

I had not realized they have thorns, one of my plants has particularly vicious ones.

Has anyone tried the leaves for tea, seems they have also got the name Duke of Argyll's tea tree.

[earlypea]

I don't actually think they're supposed to taste nice at all and especially not fresh.  They're not popular that way in China at least.  I find it odd that gardeners here are growing them and eating them that way - maybe it's a misunderstanding.

I lived there for a number of years in 3 different regions and never saw anyone selling them fresh nor eating them fresh.  They're considered medicinal, very good for eyesight in particular, and are put liberally as a dried fruit in lots of cooked dishes and teas, but they have no strong taste as far as I remember just a sort of floral background hint.

Like a lot of the things the Chinese eat, as medicine and food are very much merged into one, they're eaten for the health benefits not the flavour.

[Digeroo]

I noticed a berry the other day and ate it.

Actually this is the first mention I have come across of a goji producing fruit.  How old is the plant? 

My seed raised plants are now quite big and over a metre tall with several woody stems, so hoping for some action next year.  Still  worried that it will take another year yet.

[grawrc]

They can, I believe, grow up to 3m tall. I do know that the fruit has to be totally ripe before eating. I have heard the taste described as somewhere between cranberry and cherry, so maybe a bit tart and tangy?

I don't know how much  serious scientific research there has been to back up the claims that it is a wonder food. Also Chinese medicines contain some pretty weird things sometimes.

[Digeroo]

is a wonder food

I have been hoping that with a few gojis I would live for ever. ;D ;D ;D

[Froglegs]

I grew a few plants from seed kept two and gave the rest away,my two are now about 5ft tall no fruit as yet and no thorns, are they meant to look scraggy. ??? my two do.

[shirlton]

You sent me one Froglegs and it looks a bit scraggy too. Will compare it with the one I get from Betty tomorrow and post a pic

[Squash64]

Thanks earlypea for all the information - I wish I'd known all that before I ate it!

The only reason I was growing it was because a friend gave it to me.  It's going to a new home tomorrow when Shirl comes for it. 

[Squash64]

I noticed a berry the other day and ate it.

Actually this is the first mention I have come across of a goji producing fruit.  How old is the plant? 

I planted it last year.  It was then about 1 foot high and looked dead.  My friend had sent away for it from a newspaper and I had serious doubts that it would grow.  When I planted it there were two branches, now it's difficult to count them while it's in position but when I dig it up tomorrow I will have a closer look (and take a photo)

It had a fair amount of flowers but only the one fruit. 

[Squash64]

I grew a few plants from seed kept two and gave the rest away,my two are now about 5ft tall no fruit as yet and no thorns, are they meant to look scraggy. ??? my two do.

Mine has lots of long branches which bend over and attack me as I walk past!  I tried fastening them to canes but couldn't keep up with the speed it grew and gave up in the end.