Kiwi vine
Kiwi vine: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
The kiwi vine is a vigorous fruiting climber known for oval fruit with brown, fuzzy skin. Although sometimes called a kiwi tree, it does not naturally form a small, self-supporting tree: its long stems twine around supports. Classic green-fleshed kiwifruit include Actinidia deliciosa, a member of the Actinidiaceae family. This group originates from China, while its spread as a commercial fruit owes much to New Zealand.
The foliage accounts for much of its garden appeal. Leaves are large and rounded, often heart-shaped at the base, with a slightly velvety appearance. Young stems may also be hairy. Growth creates a dense mass of green in the warmer months, then the leaves fall in autumn. A mature vine extends over several metres and gives a pergola a very different presence from that of a compact shrub.
The flowers are creamy white and fairly inconspicuous among the leaves. In many varieties, male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Male plants provide pollen but do not bear kiwifruit. Female plants produce fruit when pollination is sufficient. Some varieties are self-fertile; this is a feature of the variety and does not apply to every kiwi vine.
‘Hayward’ is a female variety known for green, fuzzy-skinned kiwifruit, while ‘Tormuri’ is an example of a male variety. ‘Jenny’ is offered as self-fertile. Yellow-fleshed kiwis belong to other selections, notably Actinidia chinensis: ‘Soreli’ is a female variety in this group. Small kiwiberries, often from Actinidia arguta, have smooth skin. These names describe plants with different characteristics, rather than simply different colours of the same fruit.
In green kiwifruit, juicy flesh surrounds a paler core and numerous small, edible black seeds. The flavour combines sweetness and acidity. You can enjoy the fruit fresh in a fruit salad, dessert or smoothie; it also features in cooked preparations such as compotes.
In the garden, a kiwi vine combines fruit interest with seasonal foliage. Its vigour suits a space where its framework has room to develop. Cropping depends on the variety, pollination and local conditions: attractive foliage does not guarantee an abundant harvest.
Kiwi vine
- Type : Fruit trees
- Botanical Family : Actinidiaceae
Characteristics
- Exposure : Full Sun
- Frost Hardiness : Slightly Frost Sensitive
- Cultivation Difficulty : Medium
- Mature height : 150 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Water Requirements : High
Other characteristics
- Soil Type : Humus-rich
- Soil pH Preference : Neutral
- Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
- Disease Sensitivity : Moderate
- Weed Sensitivity : Moderate
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Cutting