"Growing Kiwi Fruit"

The vines will grow quite big and produce a lot of shade during the growing season so they will need positioning well in your garden.Create a structure to grow your vines over for best results.

You will need to grow a male and a female plant for pollination and a crop of fruits.

Buy from a reputable nursery or online supplier to obtain the best results. If you have the patience and possibly a green finger or two, you can grow your vines from seed. It will be many years before they produce fruit, but the plant is attractive and, if you intend to stay where you are for a while, it's a project worth trying.

Available at Crocus UK - Kiwi at Crocus UK

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In moderate climates where the winters can be cold, kiwi vines won't survive outdoors. They really do need the warmth all year round. A heated greenhouse or a large conservatory is the way to go. And of course, you have to make the space for two trees, a male and female.

Make sure the soil is well drained, and dig in some well-rotted compost before planting. Don't over fertilize your plants. It's best to give them a light organic feed just after flowering every year.

Keep the ground moist - especially in hot dry summers.

Prune back your male plants just after flowering, and the female plants after all fruits have been harvested.

Cut out about two thirds of the years growth on all branches. This will ensure healthy growth the following year. The cuttings can be re-planted - try different methods and see what works for you: Moist sand, potting compost, indoors, in a greenhouse, etc; Not all cuttings will form roots, but the ones that do should be re-planted in a good position and allowed to grow.

It's a good idea to train your vines into a shape you can live with! Many apples and pears are planted along a trellis structure, with branches tied to supports at regular intervals. I have grown peaches as well in this way and it's a very efficient way to grow your fruit trees and harvest them with ease. Pruning becomes easier too!

Always read growing recommendations when you buy your plants. Different regions and types will have different requirements.

They should be planted in the warmest spot in your garden and they are prone to frost damage so if you live in an area where you may get frosts during the growing season, your plants will need protection. They are also prone to wind damage so a wind break will be needed in very windy spots.

Pollination: Male and female vines must be close to each other to pollinate successfully and you should allow 1 male to every 6 - 10 female plants.

Harvesting: Kiwis are a soft fruit and don't store for very long once ripe. To ripen off the fruit, keep at room temperature for a couple of weeks. The fruits can be kept in the fridge for a while once ripe, but make sure they don't come in contact with other fruit and vegetables as the enzymes within the kiwi will affect the crispness of most other foods.

Happy Gardening!

More "Exotic Fruit" Reading

www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/kiwi.html