I think I remember reading that the goji love the sun and heat. I have plenty of that here. But we don't get enough rainfall, which might help to keep them manageable. I plan to water them well to get them established. Next year they won't get as much water.
I haven't decided yet how to fence them. The thorns might not allow for using the weave method, which often works for me when maintaining plants that tend to tip over like tomatoes, peppers, and okra. Elderberries will tip over. When they flower, they are upright. But the ton of berries tips them over. I had to trim severely in the winter after harvesting. Same with blackberries. I'm assuming the goji are similar, although they don't really have clusters of fruit, so the canes must be weak for the small amount of individual berries in SongofJoy's picture earlier. Either that, or while they have extensive roots, they aren't really strong.
I think I might try a raised bed or box planter with fencing attached on the sides. I do have a wall where I planned to plant them in ground, but as it is only a 3' wall that I noticed this morning is not as sturdy as it could be. I'd like the fence to be at least 7' tall to allow it to grow up and I can keep it at that height. That location should also keep the pigeons away that like to fly along the wall to get to where the neighbor's chickens are fed. The sparse bamboo along that wall doesn't deter them enough. The bamboo isn't strong enough to let the goji climb those. Some of the bamboo is now at least 20' high so it is a shame they aren't sturdy enough to use for supporting the goji.
