Thanks to the discovery of the medics, goji berries have gained enormous popularity in the modern world. They have a bright pink color and a little resemble our raisins. Their specific sweet-sour taste is not liked by everyone, but people who have tried this interesting product note its different taste variations. It seems to one that the Chinese barberry taste is similar to a mixture of dried apricots and raisins, to others that it is like raspberries, and still others say they are trying the nightshade.
- A little about the beneficial properties of goji berries
- Popular varieties
- “New Big” (“New Big”)
- "Lhasa"
- "Sugar giant"
- "Sweet Amber"
- "Superfruit"
- Features of planting and care for berries
In order to understand exactly what fruits are right for you to buy or grow, this article offers an overview of the popular varieties of goji berries.
A little about the beneficial properties of goji berries
Tibetan berries are incredibly useful because they contain about twenty valuable amino acids, a huge amount of vitamins, microelements and antioxidants, and there is much more carotene in them than in carrots rich in them.
The essential fatty acids in the product, including linoleic acid, contribute to the proper start-up of metabolism and the rapid burning of excess fat. In addition, they:
- help to overcome depression;
- improve skin condition;
- soothe the nervous system;
- rejuvenate the body.
Popular varieties
Today, the varieties of goji berries are striking in their diversity, because quite recently nobody knew about them at all in our regions. It is interesting that both shrubs and fruits of different varieties are quite significantly different from each other, therefore, a list of the most popular ones is offered to your attention. 
“New Big” (“New Big”)
The goji variety "New Big" was bred by Polish breeders. A beautiful perennial shrub can grow up to 3.5 meters in height. He can easily set the direction of growth and grow as lignified liana, if properly tied to a support. The plant bears fruit already in the first year of planting, it has excellent growth energy and is able to add literally a whole meter in the first season. 
The frost resistance of this shrub allows it to grow in the middle lane, where it tolerates even 30-degree frost. The first ripened berries usually appear at the beginning (and until the middle) of August, and the period of mass ripening falls on the next month and a half. The weight of sweet and sour berries is only 1.2 grams.
In addition to the fact that the variety has unique beneficial properties, New Big is considered to be a very unpretentious shrub. In its natural environment, it grows on ordinary slopes, and no one cares for it, so you can plant it anywhere in the garden - the main thing is that it should not be swamped.
"Chinese goji"
The origin of the name of the variety "Chinese goji" is directly related to its eastern homeland. Russian breeders have long learned how to grow it properly in our land. It is widely grown in the Mongolian valleys, the Himalayas and China and is actively fruiting with healing, round berries. 
Usually the semi-thin bushes reach a height of about two meters, and this shrub is capable of bearing fruit in any conditions. Resistant to all types of diseases and pests, it also endures strong frosts. Usually, for the best pollination, they plant two bushes together, and in order for them to grow more actively, they are placed in a shady spot and on poor soils.
"Lhasa"
The grade "Lhasa" is a product of the Chinese selection. Its bush rises to 3 meters and has long arched branches, which are covered with small prickles. After planting, the beginning of fruiting refers to the second season, and the yield of one bush varies from 3.5 to 4 kg. It has purple self-pollinating flowers, which then form rich orange large fruits. Their weight, compared with other varieties, is large enough - 2-3 grams length - 2 cm, and the shape is oblong-ovoid.The flesh of the products is very tasty, sour-sweet with a casual bitterness. 
The advantage of this type is ripening before other varieties, and oblong sweets can hang on the bushes to the very frost. Drought-resistant and tolerates severe frosts (-26 ° C). It is recommended to grow bushes near any support and tie up fruit-bearing shoots. For the location it is better to choose well-drained soil, drawing attention to good solar lighting.
"Sugar giant"
The variety "Sugar giant" got its name for a reason, because the fragrant fruits of this bush in our area reach the inch size, although the weight is usual - 1.2 grams. An adult shrub capable of rising to 3.5 meters, different spreading and the formation of a bountiful harvest. Its elongated orange-fiery berries have high quality indicators, therefore, having tried them once, you will no longer guess what kind of goji is tastier. Fruits usually in August and September. In places with a more temperate climate, shoot formation may begin in October. 
Despite any weather conditions, "Sugar giant" has a high yield: from one shrub can remove the fruits buckets. In addition, it is completely indifferent to severe frosts, its branches do not frost up even at -30 ° C. The Tibetan barberry, as it is also called, is able to survive even more severe frosts, but in this case it will need to be covered with something.
"Sweet Amber"
The main feature of the variety "Sweet Amber" is the highest content of vitamin C and honey, a very special amber shade of berries. It was bred by Chinese breeders in 2016, but, despite its novelty, has already managed to win first place in the preferences of gardeners. The shrub of this species has a winding structure and does not cling to the supports, but relies on them. Its height reaches 2.5 meters, a year quickly enough (about a meter) rises in height. 
Ripening berries gradually become transparent, poured with warm yellowish flesh. They usually appear in the second or third year after planting, and flowering occurs mainly in June-August (the exact period depends on the climatic zone).Shrub variety "Amber Sweet" perfectly tolerates frosty winters, but at the same time likes to bask in the open sunny territory.
"Superfruit"
Tibet and the Himalayas are considered to be the birthplace of the beautiful goji variety “Superfruit”, but it can easily be grown in our area. It is better to plant a plant in a well-lit area, as it is very sun-loving. Lush shrub usually reaches a height of 2-3 meters and has a rich pinkish or red fruits. Bush usually fructifies three years after planting. 
Features of planting and care for berries
To grow such famous nutritious berries in the conditions of your estate, you don’t have to strain yourself much, because this plant:
- quite capricious;
- decorative;
- does not find fault with the soil composition;
- reproduces, basically, as well as others, by seeds and cuttings.
Seeds are sown in special boxes and lightly sprinkled with earth, which must always be kept moist before germination. But the light, before the first shoots, for them and not required.After germination, on the contrary, the box is placed where the lighting is better, and the air temperature is maintained from 10 to 20 ° C. 
Seating a goji to a permanent place should be dealt with when the first leaves appear on the bushes. For this, a hole is dug, which must be filled with fertile soil along with rotted manure and where potash-phosphorus fertilizers are added at will, to improve the well-being of the plant.
Care includes standard manipulations:
- watering;
- loosening;
- weeding;
- soil fertilizer.
Cultivation of Chinese wolfwood brings not only pleasure, but also great benefit, as it helps to maintain human health and keep yourself in great shape. Therefore, be sure to pay attention to the variety of goji berries, to their individual varieties and carefully read the detailed descriptions.
