Kiwi & gooseberry problems

[swampie sue]

Hi

I have a kiwi Fruit plant in my garden, I don't know how old it is but it was here when I moved in 4 years ago. I would love to get fruit from it, but as it has never fruited assume it is not a self fertilising plant. Do I just need to purchase another plant in order to get fruit.

Also, my very immature gooseberry bushes have been desecrated by sawfly, I have picked them off by hand but am worried that they will never get chance to fruit.

Swampie Sue

[SimonCole]

Does your Kiwi flower? I know that there are both fertile ane self-fertile varieties, but it would be useful to work out whether it's worth getting another plant. Also, if another grape has a picture of the male/female flowers, we can identify whether you need a male/female plant?

Don't worry about the gooseberry, it will recover! they normally do. A good water should help matters. Have you considered using an insecticide? There are some very good and affordable spray bottles on the market.

[swampie sue]

Hi Simon, yes the Kiwi does flower but they never come to anything...

I am glad the gooseberry's will recover, yes I will get some insecticide, it's just a matter of getting to the garden centre to get some. I live in a rural area with out public transport and don't drive. Hubby has been to busy to take me so but hopefully I will be well prepared by next year.

Swampie Sue

[SimonCole]

Found this: http://www.yourgarden.com/qa/eng/bod_qa12_uk.htm
Scroll down to the yellow box and it should have an answer as to how to identify male/female flowers. Then we'll know the sex of your plant.
Try a liquid fertiliser high in potassium that should encourage flower development.

[swampie sue]

Hi,

Have checked the it, no flowers as yet, do you know what time of the year to expect them? also would Tomato feed be OK.

Thanks

Swampie Sue

[SimonCole]

Tomato feed sounds ideal.
I have no idea when they flower.

[swampie sue]

Hi Simon

It's a tri colored Kolomikta, I have just checked, it has no flowers yet... Don't know whether or not they are still due to come or for some reason it has failed to flower this year.

Do you know whether or not this variety is purely ornamental of does it produce fruit?

Swampie Sue

[SimonCole]

The two most common species are Actinidia Chinensis that has smooth skin and Actinidia Delicosa that has hairy skin. A range of self-fertile and hardy varieties have been developed and to a certain degree, both can cope in the UK. From what I gather Kolomikta is an ornamental variety that is either male or female, so a pollinator is needed. The male variety is called Adam, so I guess the female would be called Eve. I have no idea how well it will fruit, but it is edible and I wish you the best of luck

Have a look at these two for some limited pics and info:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plant...pages/16.shtml
http://www.blueworldgardener.co.uk/a.../kolomikta.htm

A better site would be this one and your plant is listed towards the bottom:
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/m...fruit_ars.html

[swampie sue]

Hi Simon,

many thanks for all your help, yep that is the plant that I have. i understand that the fruits are very small, grape size but very delicious all I need is some flowers now so that i can sex the thing.

When we first moved here I had to stop my husband removing the colored leaves as he thought they were diseased LOL

Shows how much we know about gardening!!!

[SimonCole]

Shows how much he knows about gardening

The plant sounds mouth-watering. Hope you get some flowers.

[swampie sue]

LOL Thanks again Simon for all your help....

SS