The consistent cut of the goji berry makes sense in any case
The pruning of a goji berry is not only for visual aspects, but is an important contribution to plant health and fruit yield on various levels, not least for the following reasons:
- uncontrolled specimens are more prone to powdery mildew infestation
- a shrub without regular care can spread quickly over dips and runners
- Regular pruning usually promotes flower formation
also read
- Successfully overwintering the goji berry
- The ideal location for the goji berry
- The right care for the goji berry in the garden
While with other plants it may make sense to let them rise as young plants first, with the goji berry, shaping pruning measures are definitely to be seen as advantageous. Basically, a goji berry should be cut in autumn, but you can cut back particularly long shoots in spring if necessary and shorten them to a maximum of 60 cm in length.
Grow the goji berry into a compact shrub
In nature, the so-called common wolf-thorn (or devil's twine) does not grow compactly, but rather, despite its height, spreads in a creeping way over open spaces. In order to be able to make the best possible use of the available space in a suitable location in the garden, it is advisable to consistently train young goji berries to form a shrub. To do this, the plant is cut back to a height of around 20 cm in the first year. In the second year, about five to six shoots with a length of about 60 cm can be left. From the third year onwards, the upbringing can be done every two years, but it is usually still possible to cut back particularly long and therefore overhanging branches every year.
Positive effects of regular pruning on the yield
Since the regular cut provides better ventilation of the branches on the bush, powdery mildew infestation generally occurs less frequently. A goji berry bush benefits from this in terms of health and can put all the more growth energy into the formation of flowers and thus into the fruit set. Shorter branches usually have more fruit than extremely long branches.
Use the cut material of the goji berries for propagation
The branches of the goji berries obtained by pruning can be used as cuttings for propagation. If the cut has been overlooked for a longer period of time, the subsidence and runners that have probably already formed can be cut off with a sharp spade and replanted.
Tips
Be careful when it comes to fertilizing the goji berry. Compost in the garden is usually sufficient for this. If very nitrogenous fertilizers are used, this strongly stimulates the mass growth of a goji berry bush, which runs counter to the pruning in terms of a compact growth form.
