Has anyone grown Chinese Wolfberry in B.C.? Is it a true vine? I am looking for planting info, regarding exposure, drought tolerance etc. I understand they are in the Nightshade family. That, some locals call a vine-like berry, wild growing, wolfberry. Is that a mistake? Or is a relative. There is limited info through google, though reading it helped me, to ordering from Richters.
Lycium barbarum from Northern China, and Lycium chinense from Southern China - the Chinese wolfberry. I grow it in our backyard. It started as a cutting from my neighbour down the street. Last year was the best year yet. I harvested an estimated 10 lbs of fruits. Judging by it's size, this year's harvest will be even better. They are like tiny teeny tomatoes - same family, of course. My favourite use is to mix them with pre-boiled rice. It sweetens up nicely and loses the slightly bitter after taste after cooking. We have tried cooking it in many different ways - in broils, in stir fries, stews, etc, and even sprinkling them into salads (adds some colour drama to the salad). It is pretty versatile. It's not a true climbing vine - you have to give it a bit of help, much the same as a "climbing rose" is not truely a climber. But it has long, flexible, slender laterals that need support. The fruits ripen best and are sweeter in full sun. In part shade, the fruits have a bitter after taste - which I like. 10 lbs is a lot of Wolfberry, but they freeze well. If you intend on freezing the fruits - do not wash it - just put them in zip lock bags and throw them into the freezer.
I see that some nurseries are starting to offer this plant. A bit pricey, considering that they are easy to propagate. This must be a sign of growing interest in it. Not surprising, since all Goji products are expensive (juice can cost as much as US$30 - 45 for 32 ounces!), and you can't get fresh berries unless you grow it yourself.
