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Fruit of the month

Kiwis

Fruit of the Month

Plant male and female varieties of kiwi fruit to get the best harvests

Kiwi fruit have become so popular in the supermarkets and with ‘improving’ temperatures in the UK, they are becoming a viable option on our plots and in our gardens, too.
The plants themselves are reasonably hardy, but in order to fruit successfully they do need some protection. How much protection depends on the site and area in which they are being grown. Successful crops can be produced with no more than a lean-to to shelter the flowers and fruit from the worst of the cold and rain. In cooler or more exposed areas however, they are best grown in a cold greenhouse or polytunnel or in a very sheltered, but sunny corner. However, they can be quite vigorous growers and so do need space to develop.

Prune mature Kiwi fruits back hard.Some modern varieties such as ‘Jenny’ and ‘Issai’ are self-fertile, but are still more likely to fruit successfully if grown with a partner – either another self-fertile variety or male (one male per four or five females is fine) . Older varieties bear male and female flowers on different plants and the most common female variety on offer is ‘Hayward’, which needs planting with a male such as ‘Atlas’, or with a self fertile type.

Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time and will need the support of a warm wall and strong wires. Angle the main stem towards the wall and support with a strong cane at first. Cut back the main stem or stems to about 30cm (12in) to encourage shooting and as the new shoots develop they can be used to form the main permanent framework of the plant and tied to the wires.

Pinch out the growing tip of each new main branch when 1m (3ft 3in) long to encourage sideshoots and pinch these in turn once they form five leaves. Pinch out any other shoots that emerge from these sideshoots or from the main stems this year. The following year fruit should form on the spurs encouraged by this initial pruning.
If you have a neglected kiwi it can be cut hard back now to encourage a new framework of shoots and should respond very well to this treatment.

For more advice, see this month's issue, available to buy online!