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| Actinidia arguta (Photo credit: Bahamutzero) |
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| Hardy Kiwis (Photo credit: Hunda) |
So, can you really grow kiwis in cold climates? Actually, yes. The fuzzy brown kiwis (Actinidia deliciosa) that most people know are only hardy to zone 7, but there are hardy kiwis out there such as Actinidia arguta and A. kolomitka.
These hardy kiwis look a bit different from the fuzzy brown supermarket variety in that they are smaller and have a tender, edible green skin. They are also sweeter and more tasty in my opinion.
If you're planning to grow kiwi vines, keep in mind that they need a strong support system (the vines can reach 60 feet) and you need to have at least one male and one female plant (although one male can fertilize up to eight females).
Plan your site carefully, then choose your support system, whether an arbor, T-trellis or fence. Kiwi needs the usual deep, well-drained soil that many plants enjoy, a decent amount of water (but never let the roots get waterlogged - they're prone to rot), and at least some protection from cold and wind.
One final thing to keep in mind when deciding to grow hardy kiwi - the male and female plants should be planted about 10-16 feet apart. Yes, you'll have to build two support systems and expect well over 100 feet of vine.
Oh yes, and only the female plant will bear fruit. Don't let that bother you though, the kiwi vine and the delicately flowers are a beautiful addition to the garden any way you look at it.
And the female plant, after about 5-7 years, will bear an enormous amount of fruit - upwards of 80 pounds. Luckily, the fruits will keep well in the refrigerator (up to 8 weeks). They also make delicious jams, jellies and preserves.
The front yard at Rainbow's Acre faces to the south and is sheltered from cold northwestern winds by the house. In other words, it's a perfect heat trap in which to grow kiwi vines. All we need to decide now is what type of support we want to use for the vines (I'm thinking arbor).
Have you ever tried to grow hardy kiwi?
Kiwi's are my absolute favourite fruit!
ReplyDeleteMy oldest berry-monster (son) agrees with you! Have you ever tried hardy kiwi?
DeleteHow can you tell a male plant from a female? I never knew that there was a difference!
ReplyDeleteI know, it sounds odd, eh? But there are a number of fruits that are like this, in which case you need to plant at least two plants in order to set fruit. Some are self-fertile but more often, they're not.
DeleteAnyway, the only way to tell the difference between a male and female kiwi vine is by the flowers.
Male flowers tend to be smaller, there are more of them, and they're absolutely covered with stamens full of sticky yellow pollen.
The female flowers tend to be somewhat fewer in number, somewhat larger, they do have some stamens, but they're concentrated in the middle of the flower and there are far less of them.
If you buy kiwi plants from a nursery, they should help you to purchase the proper male and female plants. If say, you buy a house and notice kiwi vines on the property, you'll have to wait for the flowers to bloom.
Oh my family loves kiwi! Yum! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower from the AtoZ Challenge. Nice to meet you.
no i have never tried to grow them--love them!! so informative
ReplyDelete