Goji is a very strong plant that usually requires very little attention once established. Learning how to get the most out of your goji plants is a different story all together. With a little extra effort, you can have your goji plants at maximum production with good flavor and color in your fruits.
If you are thinking about applying fertilizer to your goji plants, STOP! You probably don't need anything. Goji plants are descended from wild, thorny bushes that grow in arid areas and are generally very efficient at extracting nutrients from the soil. Generally they do not require any fertilization. In fact over fertilization is a common reason for goji bushes to refuse to produce any berries at all. Over fertilization can also cause death of the plant.
That being said, if you have dry, sandy soils that are low in nutrients and your plants aren't growing very rapidly, then they might benefit from a little fertilization. If you decide to try fertilizing then you can use either chemical or organic fertilizer.
Organic Fertilizer for Goji
Organic fertilizer is generally the safest for your plants, although it will tend to take longer for you to see results since most organic fertilizers release slowly over time. Primarily you want a balanced N-P-K, so anything that lists three similar numbers if you're looking at premixed fertilizer. If you choose one of the many organic soil additives that are available, then you need to know what the NPK stands for:
- N - Nitrogen - Promotes leafy growth. Too much will discourage fruit production
- P - Phosphorous - Important for root growth
- K - Potassium - Helps with internal regulatory processes
Only a small quantity is required, whatever you use. I recommend alfalfa pellets or rice bran, both are readily available at your local feed supply store and provide a broad spectrum of nutrients for your plants at a reasonable price.
Chemical Fertilizer for Goji
Chemical fertilizers are not inherently bad. Chemical fertilizers are an incredibly efficient way to transport nutrients for plants and are easier to apply with precision using modern agricultural equipment then 'organic' types of fertilizer.
The problem that we run into using chemical fertilizers is that almost all of the commercially available fertilizer mixes are formulated with Muriate of Potash (MP) as a source of Potassium. MP is composed of chlorine and potassium. Chlorine is bad for the soil and will reduce the healthy populations of bacteria and mycorrhizae. If you are interested in using chemical fertilizers, mix your own or search out a brand that uses non-chlorine sources of potassium to protect your rhizosphere and to sustain long-term growth and fruit production.
Sustainable chemical fertilizer brands are becoming more common. One example is
yara. Yara offers some excellent products that may be available in your area. They generally use sources of NPK which include extra calcium and sulfur, which are both beneficial, instead of chlorine.
Other Micro-nutrients for Goji
Depending on your location and the soils that you are using to cultivate goji, you may require supplementation of micro-nutrients in the soil. These are nutrients like zinc and manganese that might only be required in extremely minute quantities for healthy growth. If you live in a place where the soil has a restricted mineral spectrum, then the addition of a mineral rock powder might solve any unusual problems that you may have and encourage healthier growth. Glacial rock powder, or any other volcanic rock powder will do the trick. Add a small quantity around your plant and it will percolate down into the soil over time with watering or mix it into the soil when planting.
pH balancing the soil for Goji
Although technically not fertilizing, adjusting the pH of your soil can have dramatic effects on the growth of your plants, especially if your soil is acidic. Goji prefer soil in the range of 8.0, which is extremely alkali. Adding some oyster shell flour to the soil when you are preparing to plant is an excellent way to increase some micronutrients in the soil while ensuring that the pH is in a good range for optimal nutrient uptake.
Conclusion
Whatever is going on with your plants, watch them for clues. They are closely related to wild plants and do not like to have excessively nutritious soils. They are happiest in places that are very similar to deserts, maybe we could call them 'highlands'. Remember to keep their soil well drained and you should be rewarded with berries in a year or so, depending on the source of your material.
Article by:
Paul Sober
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