Kiwi Fruit

05/19/2009 - 11:40

I have just planted some Kiwis. I know about male/ female plants and have planted a male between two females. I was building a support when my neighbour (the farmer from whom we bought our land) decided to help, as ever! My plan for a few poles linked together with wires for support was soon replaced by a structure which would itself support the Forth Bridge. They seem to be thriving within a few weeks but can anyone tell me how tall they will grow, how many horizontal supports work best, shoukld I top off and if so, how high and anything else you can think of. I have been warned about the smell so have planted well away from the house.Thanks

Topic

Gardening

Location

Calabria

Cosenza Province

Comment

Kiwi vines "Actinidia deliciosa" can grow an average of 10' a year and can reach up to 30 metres, but they have to be pruned regularly to keep under control and to produce more fruit. You can have up to 4 female plants for 1 male, the male vine does not produce fruit, it only polinates the female ones. A 15 to 20' separation between plants is advisable. Usually, trellises are about 7' high but ask your neighbour as he certainly knows what he is doing.

Thankyou for the assistance. By some luck my uprights are 8' high and if I add another horizantal to them my trellis will fit your suggested height of 7' with ease. You are right about Senor F, he is a great old boy and my gardening lessons are coming along much better than my �� language ones (as I can't resist the sunshine and need to get back out there after 5 minutes of studying).

Well I spent days scrubbng and re-scrubbing my bedroom floor as I thought a cat had gotten in during renovations and peed on it. As the smell didn't really fade I eventually realized the 'cat' was my neighbours large Kiwi tree below the bedroom window. I couldn't complain as he proudly told me he had let it grow over into my garden so I would have my very own fresh supply of Kiwi. :bigsmile: