Kiwi root depth + root rot
To be strong and effective, the depth of the kiwi roots must extend into the surrounding soil
Kiwis can also become infected with Armillaria root rot, often leading to complete collapse
We explain it here in detail
There are three kiwi varieties in the US that we can grow for fruit
Fuzzy Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) is a variety that produces the brown fuzzy Kiwi we often find in stores
It is a very strong wine that hardens to about 0°F
Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta) produces small, very sweet, and delicious fruits with smooth skin that can be eaten like grapes
It is also a very vigorous grape and, depending on the variety, can withstand minus 25°F or less
Fuzzy and Hardy Kiwi like an area with at least half a day of sun
Arctic Beauty (Actinidia kolomikta) is a relatively compact vine that also produces small but delicious soft-skinned fruits
Site selection – All kiwis like well-drained soil, from clay to sandy
Fuzzy and Hardy Kiwi will last 1/2 day in full sun
Arctic Beauty Kiwi likes a place with a bit of shade and thrives best in a partially shaded gazebo or on the north side of a wall or fence
If your soil is very wet, you can add mulch several inches above the soil surface
This way, the water can escape from the roots
Support – Kiwis are all vine climbers
Due to their vigor and abundant yield, Fuzzy and Hardy Kiwi need a gazebo, trellis, or other sturdy support
A typical gazebo for these types is about 12 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 6 feet high
Use pressure treated 4×6 or larger and 4×4, 2×6, or larger blocks for your gazebo
Extra strong New Zealand style fence iron works best 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart on cross branches
Arctic Beauty Kiwi is not very vigorous and produces small fruits, so it can be grown on a wall, fence, garden shed, or other similar supports
Planting kiwis
Prepare the plant – When planting a compact tree rootstock, check the roots and trim any broken or overgrown wood
When planting a plant in a pot, remove the pot and loosen the roots
If it’s thick enough, you can lay the tree down and press firmly against the stump with your thumb
Remove some of the stems and trim if they are too long
Prepare the site – If you have grass in your growing area, start by removing a layer of thin mulch 2-3 inches thick in a circle
Elimination is important because grass competes with new plants for water and nutrients
In this freshly cleared area, dig a hole big enough and deep enough to reach the roots
After digging the hole, cut the sides with a chisel so that your plant’s roots can spread out more easily
Planting – If the seedlings have no roots, look for the soil on the trunk
This is indicated by a change in color, usually from dark yellow to yellow or black
Make sure this area is not lower than the ground level around the planting hole
For potted plants, it is important that the soil edge of the potted plant is not smaller than the edge of the plant that surrounds the root hole
Planting too deep can kill kiwis
Make sure the leaves have propagated into the root hole and fill in the soil that has been removed
Until the soil is around the roots and when the hole is filled, pat the soil down and water the plant thoroughly
Note We recommend that you fill the box with compost and remove it
We do not recommend adding any additives or other materials to this floor
To be strong and vigorous, your kiwi roots must grow into the surrounding soil
Once your new plant is in the ground, you can add compost, manure, and other materials to the soil to feed the plant naturally
Fertilization and Water Management – Due to their vigor and rapid growth, Fuzzy and Hardy kiwifruit can use a lot of nitrogen
After the first year, 1/2 pound of nitrogen each year in early spring will ensure good growth throughout the summer
We recommend using organic nitrogen sources
For example, if an organic fertilizer contains 5% nitrogen, apply 10 kg
to each plant
After 4-5 years, the amount of nitrogen is increased to 1 kg/year
Arctic Beauty Kiwis also benefit from annual feeding, but due to their low vigor, they should not need more than half Fuzzy and Hardy Kiwis
All kiwis have deep, spreading roots and need plenty of water during the growing season
Roll the plants 4 to 6 inches deep into a circle 2 to 3 feet wide, which will hold water and repel weeds
Grass, straw, or compost are good composting materials
In hot weather, watering once a week is sufficient
Be sure to check the soil and be careful not to overwater your plants
Reduce watering in early fall to harden off your plants through winter
Pruning and Training – After pruning, secure the tree with a log or other support to keep it straight
Once the roots are established, and growth has begun, your Kiwi will likely produce one or more sturdy shoots near the base of the tree
Once these seedlings have reached about 2 feet tall, tie them securely to a tree trunk and let them grow to the top of your canopy
Raise other shrubs at this time to avoid competing with your choice
When the canopy reaches the top of the canopy or support, you can remove the remaining weaker branches and leave the chosen kiwi vine-covered
When the rootstock has passed the top of your bush, cut off the tip and let the top two shoots grow
Train these new shrubs to grow into the wires or structure of your pergola or trellis and secure them firmly
These new roots form side panels and become the permanent structure of your Kiwi
By the end of the second year, you should have a good teacher for your Kiwi
In the second winter, the new strips (lateral buds) are cut in 10-12 points
Lateral shoots from these basal buds produce buds that can produce primary branches and fruit
Train the same rootstock on a tree or shrub to extend the edge and repeat pruning the following winter
Continue this process until the threads reach the limit of your support
Pruning Annual pruning during dormancy is important for good fruit production
Pruning is best done in December or January and consists of pruning new trees from the previous year to 10-12 bushes and removing old trees if this is already profitable
Also, splinters, splinters, and broken stumps should be removed, as well as those extending from one side of the stump to the other
All ropes attached to the floor should be removed or attached to the support
Pruning and observing your Kiwi will give you an idea of what needs to be kept and what needs to be removed
Male plants are planted and pruned just like female plants, but because they are planted only for their flowers, they require only about 1/4 of the trellis space and can be pruned deeper
Remember that Fuzzy and Hardy kiwis can take 3-4 years or more to start flowering and fruiting
Spring Frost Protection – Depending on the variety, kiwifruit can withstand temperatures from 0°F to minus 40°F in temperatures below about 31°F
Once the plants start to flower and frost approaches, the easiest way to prevent damage is to spray your plants with water overnight
When ice is applied to the plant, the temperature of the leaves will not drop below 32°F
If the tree is small, you can just cover it with plastic wrap or fabric
Fuzzy Kiwi Winter Care – While the Fuzzy Kiwi can reach 0°F, the sun is used when the overnight temperature drops above 20°F, which can cause sap that can freeze and sprout legacy
In severe cases, this can cause stem tightness and top death
While the roots may appear at the base, the top of the tree disappears
The best way to prevent this damage is to wrap the bottom 2-3 feet of the tree with some type of insulation or reflective material
Painting the trunk with a 50/50 mixture of water and white paint on the inside can also help prevent this damage
Additionally, mulching the bark with straw or other material will also help protect your Fuzzy Kiwi during harsh winter weather
Signs and symptoms of the rots Occasionally white mycelium(a kind of rot) can be found under the canopy above ground, but more often, white mycelium is laced with dark spine patches
The dark roots look like rhizomes that grow from the stem into the soil after disease symptoms have formed on the vines
Notes on the disease The fungal pathogen lives for years on the infected plant and roots underground
Plant roots can become infected by contact with inoculum from a previous fruit crop, nearby oak trees, or tree residues infected with Armillaria when the soil is cleaned and prepared for kiwifruit cultivation
While kiwifruit plants can tolerate this heat a bit, death can be accelerated by an A
mela attack
Sometimes heavy rains spread bacterial colonies in a vineyard
The mushroom prefers soil that is always moist
Although the virus can cause inflammation around the base of grapes, they are not considered an important factor in the spread of the disease
Management When clearing soil for planting or replanting vines, carefully remove and burn roots 1 inch or more in diameter
Make sure the vines are well watered and don’t overwater
