KIWI FRUITS - (Back)

Kiwifruit prefer a sunny location where they can climb across some trellis or wires. The vines should be protected from strong winds For the trellis, either a single wire or T- system can be used. When using as patio cover, no extra trellising needs to be in place. Simply run the plant up a corner post to the top and allow the plant to then form shoots which would resemble an umbrella shape.

Kiwifruit prefer slightly acid (pH 5 - 6.5), well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter. The leaves may show nitrogen deficiency if the soil is too poor. Kiwifruit plants need lots of water during the growing season but must also be in well-drained soils. Watering regularly in the heat of the summer is a must. Never allow a plant to undergo drought stress. Symptoms of drought stress are drooping leaves, browning of the leaves around the edges, and complete defoliation .More plants probably die from water related problems than any other reason.

Kiwi Plants are heavy nitrogen feeders which should be given during the first half of the growing season, use a high nitrogen fertilizer which contains trace elements unless it is known that the particular soil is deficient in another nutrient. Mulching with manures and straw is very beneficial. However, do not put the mulch directly in contact with the vine as crown rot will occur.

For best fruit production, prune in the winter. All pruning techniques are usually based on a "cane replacement" and differ only on the trellis method used.One stem is trained up to a wire at up to six feet and then allowed to grow along the wire. When growth ends in a "pig-tailing" of the shoot, it is cut behind the entanglement and new a shoot allowed to grow from a leaf base. After two years multiple shoots will now emerge from the lateral. During the growing season, each lateral cane will send out a new shoot about 1/3 of the way from its own starting point. The next winter, prune off the older cane at the point that it connects with last summers new shoot. Repeat this every year.

Ripening depends both on cultivar grown and local climatic conditions. It is best to wait for harvest until at least November . Once harvested, place the hard fruit into plastic bags and put into the refrigerator for keeping. When needed, the fruit can be taken out of the refrigerator and ripened on the table for a few days in a plastic bag. Well stored fruit can last for several months. The long keeping qualities of the fruit made world wide shipment possible and heavy planting of the Hayward variety brought the fruit into recognition.

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