Location: The vines will tolerate some shade but prefer a sunny location where they can ramble across some type of trellising system. They should have some protection from strong winds
Site Preparation: Hardy kiwi plants need a substantial trellis, patio cover, or other permanent place to grow upon. For the trellis system, either a single wire or T-bar system can be installed. Both have a 4 inch by 4 inch redwood post of 8 feet. For the T-bar, a 2 inch by 6 inch crossarm about 4 feet long is bolted in place. Bury the post 2 feet into the ground and cement in if at all possible. At each end of the system, a cemented deadman should be in place. Run wires across the posts and anchor tautly to the deadman. When using a 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 a spoke work of shoots which would resemble an umbrella.
Soils: Hardy kiwi prefer well-drained,
somewhat acid (pH 5 - 6.5) soils. Neutral soils are acceptable
but the leaves may show nitrogen deficiency when the soils become
too basic. The plants will not tolerate salty soils.
Irrigation: Hardy kiwi plants need
large volumes of water during the entire 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 with
regrowth of new shoots when the stress is continuous. More plants
probably die from water related problems than any other reason.
Fertilization: Based on work done
on the regular kiwifruit, hardy kiwi plants are heavy nitrogen
feeders which should be applied in abundance during the first
half of the growing season. Late season applications of nitrogen
will enhance fruit size but are discouraged as fruit then tends
to store poorly. In basic soils, a citrus and avocado tree fertilizer
should be broadcast about the vine and watered in well in early
March. Follow up the initial fertilizing by supplemental additions
to early summer. In other areas, 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/or
straws is very beneficial. However, do not put the mulch directly
in contact with the vine as crown rot will occur.
Pruning: For best fruit production,
pruning in the winter is a must. All pruning techniques are usually
based on a "cane replacement" and differ only based on the trellising
method used. Kiwi vines need to be supported and this is usually
done in one of three ways: single wire, 3-5 wire on a T-bar system,
or onto a patio cover. In all cases, one stem is trained up to
a wire at 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
mainline. 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. This process repeats itself
every year.
Propagation: In areas where the regular
kiwifruit will grow, scions of the hardy kiwi may be grafted directly
onto kiwifruit rootstock. Otherwise, one must either root their
own from hardwood or greenwood cuttings or buy established plants.
Pests and diseases: Plants are relatively
free from problems, possibly due to their lack of heavy planting
into areas so that pests begin to take a liking to the leaves,
trunk, or roots. One odd problem is the fact that the trunks have
a catnip-like aroma which cats love to rub against. When plants
are small, this can be a problem as they can rub off any new shoots
which emerge in the spring. Garden snails can also be a problem
on younger plantings. Other pests include deer that browse on
the leaves and gophers that attack the roots. Scale insects can
damage if populations build up too extensively. Greenhouse thrips
may also damage the fruit.
Harvest:Ripening depends both on
the cultivar grown and local climatic conditions. The Cordifolia
cultivar ripens first in early September while the Anna (Ananasnaja)
may need to wait until late October/early November before it sweetens
to its best. Hardy kiwifruits drop or come off easily when they
are ripe. Usually they are picked at the mature-ripe stage and
allowed to ripen off of the vine as is done with kiwifruit. |