Goji's life cycle and phenological stages
Goji can live up to 1oo years with economic life of 50 years. Generally goji experiences five periods in one life cycle:
1. Seedling period: the time between sowing and flowering for seedlings from seeds. For plants propagated from cuttings, this period refers time between new root growth to the first flowering. Seedling period lasts 1-2 years for seedlings from seeds. For asexually propagated plants this period takes much shorter time: 3-4 months. Yes, this means you may harvest some berries in fall if you start from cuttings in spring, given strong cuttings are selected and good care are given to the young plants.
2. Early yield period: time between first flowering and peak period of yielding. For sexually propagated seedlings it starts from second year and ends on the fifth year. For asexually propagated plants it from the first year to the third year.
3. Peak period of yielding: refers to growing period from the 4th year to 35th year in goji's life. During this period the plant is most vigorous with increasing growth of branches and leaves, accompanied with peak yielding of goji berries. The average yield reaches 1500 kilograms (dry weight) per acre in Zhongning. The highest yield can reach 3000 kilograms per acre.
4. late period of yielding: refers to period between 35th year and 55th years after planting. This period features declining annual yielding ability and decreasing fruit size. Annual main stem growth averages only 1 mm. The tree lose top growth potential, canopy top becomes 'bald' in various degree during growing season.
5. withering and perishing period: time after 55th years. During this period the plant significantly lose growth potential, canopy becomes incomplete and yielding ability drops rapidly. Rotting occurs in main stem and main roots. The plant totally lose its value for cultivation gradually withers until it dies.
Goji's phenological stages:
Goji experiences 9 phenological stages on yearly basis (data are based on observation in Zhongning *37.5N, 105.6E* China. Actual phenological stages may be early or later depending on local climate):
1. bud initiation stage: starts in middle March. Plants wakes up from dormancy, buds starting to swell and apprear
2. Sprouting stage: starts in early April;
3. Leaves expansion stage: middle April;
4. Spring branch growth stage: late April
5. Flowering bud emergence stage: late April;
6. First flowering stage: early May;
7. First ripening stage: middle June;
8. Leaves shedding stage: middle October;
9. Dormancy stage: early November.