Anyone here growing a kiwi plant?
Question:My mum has one in her garden in Cornwall.
Can anyone give me any tips on the best way to help her look after it?
Thanks in advance.
Answers:
Some of the newer varieties are self-fertile, i.e. they have both male and female flowers on one plant. If your mum has one of these then one is OK. Of the other varieties, one male can pollinate five to eight female plants. We have one male and three female plants, and we got another self pollinating plant. Especially the male plant is very vigorous. Our plants have survived minus twenty degrees Celsius here in north Germany. And the flowers only form and open after the frosts, i.e. in May. The plant does need diligent pruning. Never prune in late winter or early spring when the sap is flowing, because the plant "bleeds" at the cut and all the sap drips out, and it takes weeks for the wound to stop, although the plant does survive this. It took us a few years to understand the principles of the pruning thing, but seem to have the hang of it now, and our plants are bearing the biggest crop ever. For help on the pruning bit, check this link:
http://www.homeorchardsociety.org/articl...
I have two - a male and female - in my zone 5b Michigan garden. I've had it three years, and the female produced fruit year 2 & will agin this year.. Yummy! There are many varieties, but I think Kolomikta is probably the hardiest. Is Cornwall zone 4?
Tips: Don't let the frost get to it, it is sensitive to frost. This will kill the new leaves and therefore shorten its season (your area is short enough as it is). It will grow fine in either acid or alkaline soil, full sun to part shade. Does not require constant wattering. Grow on a heavy-duty trellis or pergula. No need to cut back in fall or spring. Very easy to grow. Best of luck.
I am not, but I like kiwi fruit.
yes you do need mail and female .one mail to every eight female. they can grow up-to 30ft in an open and sunny spot keep well watered and apply general purpose fertiliser rich in phosphate and potassium
More Related Questions & Answers...