Growing Chinese Wolfberry from Seed
Answered by: Ginny
Question from: Michael
Posted on: April 05, 2011

I purchased Chinese Wolfberry seeds (gogi), planted them, and they germinated well. But it seems like there are clumps of seedlings. Is this normal? They seem to be too dense-packed to separate. Also, when should I transplant them outdoors - when they are a few inches high? (They are now about an inch in height). Will the seedling clumps blend to form one plant?

Chinese Wolfberry seeds....an exercise in patience. Sowing Chinese Wolfberry requires carefully opening each "raisin" and separating the tiny seeds out as best you can on to a seed flat containing soil-less medium. This is very tedious, but guarantees better results. When sown as a complete raisin, the sower runs the risk of the emerging seedlings suffering from damp-off. This is usually caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, which thrives in damp, warm environments. You will know it is present when your seedlings rot at soil level and keel over. But, if the seeds are given more space, the risk of damping off is much lower. Having said this, you may still have luck with your seedlings, as you sowed them. When they are very tiny, only about a week old from emergence, transplant them carefully into a tray containing cells of about 1 1/2 cubic inches of soil-less medium, and water them in very gently. Grow them on for about 5 weeks prior to setting them outside. They will still be small and will require careful monitoring for a few weeks in regards to water requirements until they become established. If you think that at this point you are unable to safely separate your seedlings, then grow them on as the clump. It is not ideal, but they may still grow well.

Back to Growing Herbs | Q & A Index

Copyright © 1997-2024 Otto Richter and Sons Limited. All rights reserved.