Read a commented profile about the kiwi tree here with information on growth, species, fruits and winter hardiness. Lots of tips about planting and caring for kiwi plants.
What is a kiwi tree and how is it cared for?
The kiwi tree (Actinidia) is actually a woody climbing plant that, depending on the species, can climb up to 10 meters high. Kiwi plants are dioecious, meaning they require male and female plants to produce fruit. The fruits are edible, rich in vitamin C and are harvested from September to November.
Profile
- Scientific name: Actinidia
- Family: Actinidiaceae
- Genus: Rayed stylus with 60 species
- Synonyms: Chinese gooseberry, Chinese ray pen
- Growth type: woody creeper
- Growth height: 300 cm to 1000 cm
- Leaf: summer green, oval
- Flower: wheel-shaped, dioecious
- Fruit: Berry
- Fruit properties: edible, he althy
- Harvest time: August to October
- Winter hardiness: conditionally hardy
Growth
The name kiwi tree is misleading because rays do not form a stable trunk. Although kiwi plants thrive with woody shoots, they are not true shrubs. The following key data on growth shed light on the darkness with a botanically correct definition:
- Definition: The kiwi is a perennial, deciduous, woody climbing plant with liana-like growth.
- Growth habit: left-winding, climbing, provided there is a trellis.
- Growth height: 300 cm to 1000 cm
- Growth width: 200 cm to 1000 cm
- Branches: young shoots reddish and hairy, later brown and smooth
- Growth rate: 50 cm to 400 cm per year
- Roots: Shallow roots
The shape and size of the climbing aid has a significant influence on the growth of the climbing plants. Resourceful hobby gardeners know how to take advantage of this fact so that an actinidia still thrives as a kiwi tree.
Video: Inspiration for hobby gardeners: Artful trellis turns the kiwi plant into a kiwi tree
Species
The kiwi genus is native to Asia, primarily in China, Japan and Korea up to Siberia. The large, hairy kiwis on store shelves mostly come from New Zealand, whose heraldic animal has been used as the exotic fruit's namesake since 1959. Of the 60 known kiwi species, some plants are robust enough to be grown in German hobby gardens. The 4 best jet pens for beds and pots at a glance:
| Kiwi plant type | Botanical name | Fruit size | pulp | Bowl | Speciality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiwi | Actinidia deliciosa | 8 cm long, 5 cm wide | green | hairy | most common kiwi fruit on store shelves |
| Kiwi Gold | Actinidia chinensis | roundish, 4-5 cm tall | yellow | smooth | sensitive to frost |
| Mini kiwi, kiwi berry | Actinidia arguta | spherical, 2-3 cm small | red-brown | smooth | hardy |
| Siberian Kiwi | Actinidia kolomikta | ovoid, 2-5 cm long | greenish | bald | Male with pink-white leaf coloring |
Bloom
Kiwi plants are dioecious. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. Amateur gardeners conclude from this botanical feature that a mixed double of kiwi is required for planting. The differences between male and female kiwi flowers are easy to spot. You can read all the important features in this overview:
- Flower shape: simple, circular cup flower
- Male flowers: short, white styles, numerous, long yellowish stamens
- Female flowers: Radiating, long white styles, surrounded by a wreath of short yellowish stamens.
- Position: individually or as a group in the leaf axils on annual shoots.
- Flowering time: May to June/July
With a seductive scent, the white to cream-colored flowers attract busy pollinators. Bees, bumblebees and butterflies will not be disappointed, as there is nutritious nectar to be found inside the flowers. With a nectar value of N2 (good), kiwi plants are considered bee pastures.
Fruits
The vitamin-rich, aromatic, juicy kiwi fruits with these characteristics develop from pollinated female flowers:
- Fruit shape: cylindrical to spherical, 2 cm to 5 cm tall.
- Shell: hairy or smooth.
- Flesh: glassy-juicy, sweet-sour to sweet, green or golden yellow with numerous black seeds.
- Harvest time: depending on the species and variety between September and November
With a he althy 71 mg of vitamin C and a slim 51 calories per 100 g of fruit, kiwis are a delicious snack for the whole family.
Winter hardiness
The degree of winter hardiness depends on the type and variety of kiwi. Classic kiwi plants suitable for cultivation in Central Europe are frost hardy down to -10° Celsius, at least in mild winter regions. Modern breeds are certified to have a winter hardiness of down to -28° Celsius. When purchasing, please ask exactly how frost-tolerant the kiwi plant you want is.
Planting a kiwi tree
The time window for planting kiwi plants is open from spring to autumn. If autumn comes across as Indian summer in disguise, you can plant a kiwi tree until November/December, as long as the spade is still in the ground. Young plants sold in specialist stores usually come from cuttings. Following this example, hobby gardeners grow their own kiwi plants in spring from annual cuttings. You can read the best kiwi planting tips for beds and balconies here:
Location
Early budding from April makes a kiwi tree susceptible to damage from late frost. By choosing the right location you can avoid this danger:
- Sunny to sunny location.
- Trail support ideally on the wind-protected house wall facing west or east.
- Normal, fresh, moist garden soil
- Fresh, moist, nutrient-rich soil with a slightly acidic pH value of 5.0 to 6.0.
- Exclusion criteria: full sun south face, calcareous and waterlogged soil, alkaline pH value greater than 6, 5.
Planting a kiwi tree in the garden
How to properly plant a pair of kiwis in the bed:
- Place root balls in a bucket of rainwater before planting.
- Dig two planting pits with twice the volume of the pot balls.
- Planting distance is ideal 200 cm to 250 cm, maximum 400 cm.
- Enrich soil with leaf compost (€79.00 on Amazon) or rhododendron soil and horn shavings.
- Plant potted, water-soaked root balls with a slight slant for climbing support.
The strongest shoot is chosen as the trunk and fixed vertically on the trellis. Tie the remaining tendrils as legs to the right and left, similar to the cordon training of a grape vine. Water the plants thoroughly. A mulch layer of leaves keeps the soil moist longer and prevents drought stress.
Planting kiwi in a pot
A female and a male Chinese gooseberry are planted in two pots with an integrated climbing aid or a long balcony box with a trellis. A suitable substrate is a mixture of potting soil and rhododendron soil without peat, enriched with coconut fibers and lava granules. Please also use the lava granules for a 5 cm high drainage on the bottom of the vessel. Planting technique and orientation of the climbing tendrils are comparable to planting kiwis in beds.
Excursus
Build your own kiwi trellis
The simplest version of a kiwi trellis consists of three horizontal wires on the sunny house wall. Assemble the climbing frame at a distance of 40-50 cm from the wall. Stretch the bottom wire 80 cm above the ground. The other two tension wires are attached 50 cm apart. Other options for a stable ray pen trellis include pergola, trellis, rose arch and fence.
Care for the kiwi tree
The successful care of kiwi plants depends on a continuous supply of water. Occasional fertilization compensates for nutrient consumption. Pruning twice a season keeps the fruit wood young and vital. Simple protective measures ensure that the exotic climbing plants get through the winter he althy and happy. It's worth taking a look at these care tips:
Pouring
An important factor for ripe, aromatic, juicy kiwi fruits is uniform soil moisture. When dry, water kiwi plants with collected rainwater or stale tap water. On hot summer days, it's best to head out to the thirsty creepers in the morning and evening with a filled watering can.
Fertilize
In spring, starting fertilization with leaf compost and horn shavings gets growth going. Fertilize Chinese gooseberries in pots every two weeks from April to August with a liquid kiwi fertilizer. After repotting, the nutrient supply pauses for six to eight weeks.
Cutting
Proper pruning care is rewarded with a rich harvest of juicy kiwi fruits. Detailed instructions are dedicated to this fundamental care measure, which you can read here. A short version for quick readers:
- Cut kiwi plants twice a year from the third year onwards.
- First appointment: cut off the fruit wood removed in early spring down to short stubs, thin out the bush thoroughly.
- Second appointment: cut back all annual fruit shoots by a third in August.
Wintering
As lignification progresses, kiwi creepers acquire a reasonable level of winter hardiness. Protective measures are mandatory on the way there and in harsh winter locations. How to overwinter kiwi plants successfully:
- Preparation: no longer fertilize from August/September, water more sparingly
- Kiwi tree in the bed: mulch the root disc with leaves and coniferous twigs, shade the tendrils with fleece.
- Overwinter the potted kiwi outside: change location in front of the house wall, place the pot on wood and cover it with jute.
- Overwinter potted kiwi indoors: bright and frost-free at a cool 5° to 8° Celsius.
In the year of planting and in the following three years, place a reed mat in front of the trellises or stuff straw between the canes.
Popular varieties
These five kiwi premium varieties are a tasty and visual gain for beds and balconies:
- KiwiBerry: Premium variety with sweet and sour fruits and edible peel, hardy down to -28° Celsius.
- Hayward: female Actinidia deliciosa bears large, aromatic fruits, moderately hardy, height up to 400 cm.
- Issai: self-fruitful Actinidia arguta delights with sweet kiwi berries from mid-September, well hardy.
- Solo: decorative, hardy Actinidia deliciosa, self-pollinating, 400 cm high, up to 800 cm wide, beautiful bee pasture.
- Weiki: the popular and hardy Bavarian kiwi (Actinidia arguta) as a duo for productive, decorative growth.
FAQ
Can you grow a kiwi plant from seeds?
You need a fully ripe kiwi to sow. Cut the fruit open and remove the black seeds from the pulp with the tip of a knife. Spread wet seeds on an absorbent kitchen towel. Sow the dried kiwi seeds in a seed tray with potting soil. Leave the light germinators on the substrate and water with a fine spray. Germination takes about two weeks in a warm, sunny window seat.
Does the kiwi plant grow as a tree or a shrub?
The kiwi plant is neither a tree nor a shrub. Rather, all kiwi species of the genus Actinidia thrive as woody climbing plants. If a trellis is available, the exotic plants with their epic long lianas reach a height of up to 10 meters.
Does every female kiwi plant need a male pollinator?
A single male kiwi plant can fertilize up to eight female kiwis with its pollen. It is important to note that there should be a maximum planting distance of 4 meters between the individual kiwi genders. A greater distance is possible, but may affect the effectiveness of pollen transfer.
