How to Germinate a Goji Berry

Slice open a dried goji berry and remove the 20 to 30 seeds over a sheet of white paper. Fill the pots with a mixture of 2 parts potting soil, 1 part compost and 1 part sand. Press the seed into the soil 1/4 inch deep. Brush some of the mixture over the seeds and press down. You may put the pots on a warming mat to enhance germination.

Mist the pots until the top 2 or 3 inches of soil are moist. Place the pots in indirect light in a warm room that is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover the top of the pot with a plastic wrap to create a mini greenhouse. Keep the top of the soil moist until germination. Germination should occur within two weeks..

Move the seedlings to a sunny location after they have produced a set of true leaves. Cover the top surface of the pot with manure to add nutrients. Water every week or two thoroughly until the water pours out of the drainage holes. Allow the pot to dry out before watering again. Do not allow the pot to sit on a saucer full of water.

Move the pots outdoors when temperatures are consistently 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Grow the plants in the pots or transplant them to a sunny, well-drained location in loose loamy soil. Water well after transplanting and spread mulch around the plant to prevent weeds and to conserve water. Water in the morning and avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent fungal disease.

Snip off the top of the plant after it has produced a third set of true leaves. This will encourage it to bush so there are more branches for flowering and fruit set. Bring potted goji berries indoors when temperatures drop in fall and heavily mulch outdoor plants. It can take two or three years to get a crop of goji berries.