Vital movements of goji berries begin from seeds, roots and shoots of the previous generation, after germination, the plants grow roots, stems, leaves and bear fruits, the plants begin to fall leaves and have dormancy in early winter, and begin to sprout in the next spring, the plants run in this circles until the senescence of root and plant death. The life cycle of goji berry is the experience of seedling breeding, vegetative growth, reproductive growth, pruning, updating on root in soil management and senescence until death. Cultivating goji berries on deep soil, the life can be extended to one hundred years, effective production (fruit production) life can be 30 years. According to the characteristics of fruit production, the effective life cycle is divided into 5 stages.
1.Seedling stage (vegetative growth stage)
Seedling stage means the period from germination to first flowering of sexual seedlings and the period from growing roots to first flowering and bearing fruits of asexual seedlings. The seedlings were generally 1-2 years old, the young plants are short with strong growth of crown and roots, the upper part will grow vertically and vigorously without pruning. As for asexual seedlings, most of them are taken from mature organs of goji berries and have high development and advanced bearing period. Especially for the cottage seedling, the seedling is from the mother tree that has strong branches and can bear fruits. Mature branches have more rooting point, high rate of rooting, and strong roots, the plants can bear fruits in autumn without pruning in spring, while if people prune, plants only need 3 months from growing root to flowering and bearing fruits. And people should strengthen the management of water and fertilizer to promote growth, strengthen the management of pruning to promote lateral branches, cultivate strong plants and lay a good foundation for high yield. In general, the annual growth rate of root was 0.5-1.3cm, which was the fastest growing stage of plants.
2.The initial stage (young stage)
The reproductive stage for asexual cottage seedlings is from the seedling year to the third year, also means from the first flowering to bearing a large number of fruits, while the stage for sexual seedlings is from the second year to the fifth year. This period is characterized by the rapid growth of root and crown, which is the best period of cultivation for the crown and production of high quality fruits. In this period, people should supply enough water and fertilizer, prevent diseases and insects, especially strengthen the management of pruning, by comparing the sizes of plants, people should choose the methods of pruning, cutting and keeping to prune vigorous branches, cut middle branches to promote the development of secondary and third branches, expand and shape the crown and lay the foundation for high yield and quality. The root will become 0.5-1.0cm thicker in a year, and the crown will expand 30-50cm.
3.Fruiting stage (fruiting period)
Fruiting stage means the growth period of 4-30 years after planting, during the period which contains vegetative growth and reproductive growth, plants have active metabolism, plants grow stronger with lush foliage, the crown grows into the maximum value, and the plants is 1.6-1.7m high and 5-13cm thick. Meanwhile, this is the period for plants of flowering and bearing fruits, the yield will be 150-250kg per mu. Due to the large number of flowering and growth of tree age, the nutrient in the plants decreased, and the plants grow slowly and the branches gradually shift, people must strengthen water and fertilizer management to harvest high yield and quality of fruits. This period can also be divided into three stages: the 5-10 years after planting is the early fruiting stage, the plants and roots still grow vigorously, the annual growth of root is about 0.4cm; the 10-20 years after planting is the mid fruiting stage, the plants grow slowly with the annual growth of 0.2cm of roots; the 20-30 years after planting is the final fruiting stage, plants grow more slowly with the annual growth of 0.15cm of roots, most branches under the crown are aging and dying. At this time, people should be more careful to the management of water and fertilizer and pests control, people should improve illumination in pruning and renewal pruning, use middle branches and vigorous branches to fill the void of crown, and use new branches to update old branches to prolong the fruiting period.
4.Final fruiting stage
Final fruiting stage refers to the period that plants planted for more than 30 years but less than 50 years, and is a continuation of the fruiting stage. At this time, the growth of plants begins to weaken; the annual growth of roots is only 0.1cm. The ability of bearing fruits descends, the fruits become smaller, the crown is empty and the top is exposed. People should focus on pruning to update old branches, and pinch and cut to promote the growth of branches and delay of bearing fruits. Also, the orchard needs to be renovated.
5.Senescence stage
Senescence stage means the plant growth of more than 50 years, in this period, the growth of plants begins to weaken, crowns lose their shape, the ability of bearing fruits descends with sharp decline in production. The trunk and root are going to be rotten, which will lost the value of economic cultivation.
Although there are obvious differences in all stages of goji berries, the changes are continuous and gradual without obvious boundary. The length and changes mainly depend on cultivation and management technology. Understanding the characteristics and changes of each period correctly can help to develop appropriate management, facilitate bearing fruits, achieve high and stable yield and extend fruiting period to improve economic efficiency.
