Germinating Lycium Barbarum
Answered by: Conrad Richter
Question from: Jacqui Savage
Posted on: May 05, 2004

I purchased seed for the Lycuium barbarum, I am puzzled about how to plant the seed. My first attempt was unsuccessful. I planted the red berries and they did not germinate. I have taken 3 of the berries and opened them up exposing the little white seeds. I am thinking I should let the berry dry out before I plant the seeds.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I grow a demo garden at an art center and would like to include this plant.

We have found that either planting the berries whole or taking the seeds out of the berries and planting them works. They come up in 6-9 days.

Some sources say that the seeds need what is called "stratification", a cool, moist treatment to help stimulate germination. But we have never seen the need for that; our seeds always come up readily without special treatment.

Of course if the seeds are planted too deeply, or not kept consistently moist (and not waterlogged) then they won’t come up either. We get the best results sowing in seedboxes and then transplanting from there to pots then eventually to the garden.

If you continue to have problems, let us know and we’ll send a replacement packet.

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