Kiwi fruit temperature range
There are two main types of kiwi plants that can be grown in the kitchen garden: one suitable in colder temperature and the other for warm, frost-free climates
Learn how to grow, grow and harvest kiwis in your garden! About kiwis Did you know that these delicious and nutritious fruits grow on a vine and are not native to New Zealand? The kiwi tree (Actinidia deliciosa) is native to southwestern China and was historically known in English as the “Chinese goose
” At the beginning of the 20th century, the plant was exported to Europe, the United States, and New Zealand, where most kiwis are grown today
On the other hand, hardy kiwi (A
arguta) is found in northern China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula
Kiwi varieties There are two main types of kiwifruit trees that can be grown in home gardens: kiwifruit (A
deliciosa) and hardy kiwifruit (A
arguta, A
columnikta)
The kiwi is a variety that most of us are familiar with; it produces airy round fruits the size of a very large fleshy belly
The hard kiwi, on the other hand, produces soft, green fruits the size of a grape, which is why it is also known as ‘kiwiberry
‘ It is said to taste sweeter than a giant kiwi
Some hardy kiwi varieties, such as A
columnikta, are grown primarily for their attractive pink leaves and fragrant flowers
Apart from the differences in their fruits, the plants also differ in their hardiness
As the name suggests, hardy kiwis do best in colder climates (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 7) and can even survive sub-zero heat, while kiwis should be grown in areas with less humidity (zones 8 to 9)
That said, the fruits and flowers of both species are very sensitive to summer and fall, so this plant is best grown in areas with mild to moderate frosts of 200 days
Note: If you are considering planting kiwis in your garden, remember that both male and female plants must bear fruit
The male plant produces leaves, and the female produces both wings and fruit
(However, there is reportedly one type of hardy kiwi that can transplant itself, called ‘Issai,’ if you only have room for one plant!) When should you plant kiwi vines?
Plant kiwifruit trees in the spring after the threat of frost has passed
Kiwis usually start bearing fruit 3 to 5 years after planting
Selection and preparation of a planting site
Kiwi vines need a sunny location for good flowering and fruiting
Plant in a sheltered area in the garden to avoid air damage
Plant vines in cooler northern parts of the field to minimize damage from snow-flow in early spring when plants are particularly susceptible to infection
Kiwi plants need well-drained soil as their roots tend to rot if stored too wet
Kiwi vines grow slowly and need strong support
Establish a tall, sturdy vine-supporting canopy that can grow up to 15 feet wide and 20 feet tall, producing up to 100 pounds of fruit
How are kiwi vines planted?
For a good kiwifruit harvest, you need to plant both male and female trees
Females produce young
Tip: The best ratio would be one male plant to six female plants
Plant vines 10 to 15 feet apart
When planting, it may be necessary to prune trees if they are too tall
Plant the vines just deep enough to cover the roots well with soil
Water well when planting
Growth of kiwi vines
Add water to plants during many summers or other dry seasons unless it rains
Do not breed in the first year
Then fertilize the spring with balanced fertilizer or soybean meal
Start flexible training roots as support in the first year of planting
Prune side shoots (if not flowering) 2-3 times during flowering
Kiwi flowers and fruit on old trees
Regularly remove water leaves (strong leaves of older trees) and leaves from the stem
Prune female vines during the winter months when the plant is dormant
Prune male vines in early summer after flowering
In cold climates, hardy kiwifruit vines may die to the ground year after year
Remove dead leaves and cover with leaves or mulch
How to propagate Kiwi Vines?
Kiwi can be propagated from seed
Here’s how to do it:
Remove the seeds from a ripe kiwi and allow them to dry for two days
Place the seeds in a container lined with moist perlite and refrigerate for two months
Plant the seeds to a depth of 1/8 inch in a damp pot, and cover the container with plastic wrap
Put the container in a warm and bright place and keep the soil moist
When seedlings start to grow, close the container
If the plants have four true leaves, grow them in individual pots
When the plants reach a few inches tall, put them outside
Kiwifruit can also be propagated from cuttings (fresh leaves in summer):
Cut a stem of the kiwi tree into 15cm pieces and cut off the sprouting stems
Make cuts in glass with one inch of water
After about three weeks, the cuttings will have small roots at the ends of the cuttings
Plant cuttings in pots or outdoors
Hardy kiwi (kiwifruit)
A
arguta’ Ananasnaya’ (also known as ‘Anna’) has jade-colored skin, green flesh, black seeds, and a pineapple flavor
A
arguta’ Issai’ is self-fertile (does not require a sperm pollinator) and produces small, juicy fruits
Plants love the fragrant white flowers in early spring
A
arguta’ Geneva’ ripens earlier than ‘Anna’ or ‘Issai’ and has sweet and sour fruit
A
arguta’ Ken’s Red’ grows with reddish-brown skin
The flesh inside is dark brown with dark red streaks
The fruit of A
kolomikta’ Red Beauty’ ripens faster than most hardy kiwifruit varieties, but A
kolomikta can be generally temperamental
The fruits are lean and sweet
Kiwi friut (Kiwiberries)
‘Hayward’ is the first female cultivar of A
deliciosa grown commercially
It produces round, soft fruits with a green interior that are found in grocery stores
Male varieties include ‘Chico,’ ‘Matua,’ and ‘Tamori
‘
During the kiwi harvest
Fruit can usually ripen in September/October, which may cause early frosts in some areas
Harvest the fruits when they are soft to the touch and ready to eat
Alternatively, if early frosts are a problem, harvest kiwis when they are still firm, but the seeds are black
These fruits can be kept in the refrigerator for up to six weeks
Remove from the fridge and let it soften for a few days before serving
How to store kiwi fruit
Store hardened kiwi fruit in the fridge or freezer for up to six weeks
Freeze whole kiwis on a cookie sheet and place in a plastic freezer bag
Kiwi was once known as the “beard of China
”
Hardy kiwi is rich in vitamins C, A, and E, potassium, calcium, calcium, and iron
Hardy kiwi is also known as the kiwi, baby kiwi, dessert kiwi, grape kiwi, and cocktail kiwi
