Kiwi

[Janette]

I have been given a Kiwi and having never grown before searched the internet for a bit of info. It seems that I need a male and a female but have no way of knowing which I have or if I really do need another. Can anybody offer any help (the label says Actinidia Diliciosa (Kiwi)).

Janete

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Janete welcome to the vine. Does the label say anything else? What the variety is perhaps?

[Janette]

Unfortunately not. The only instructions are 'may-june' september-october' 'do not prune' ' full sun' 'aproximately 4m'. I assume that the months are planting and fruiting. I think it is of Dutch origin.

[ric]

having watched my neighbour try for 10 years, hes finally given up, i suggest the compost bin is the best place for it .

[breadmouse]

i seem to remember

I have a kiwi (which has never flowered). I remember searching years ago and found that the sex can be told by the shape of the leaves. Cant remember which is which. Some are rounder and some are pointier. Im not an expert so dont rely on this (especially as I cant remember which). I think you can also get some now that dont need male and female. Again dont quote me.

There is a garden centre near Hemel Hempstead that has a wonderful big kiwi that flowers!


Donna
(new gardener)

[andrewo]

It also performs better undercover and in a regulated heated area. I have been told you can now get self fertile ones - don't know if someone was yanking my leg but I thought you might like to know.

[Lesley Jay]

Janette I have found a site which has photos of the kiwi fruit trees in blossom. The male and female blossom is different so that looks as if it is the way you will find out what your tree is. www.kiwicovelodge.com/kiwi_vineyard/index.htm

[Janette]

Thanks

I will watch out for the flowers with baited breath. It is fairly pretty anyway so if it doesnt fruit, I may move it to the garden for ornamental purposes and to fill a gap at the back of the border where I need something tall.

[shirlthegirl43]

It also performs better undercover and in a regulated heated area. I have been told you can now get self fertile ones - don't know if someone was yanking my leg but I thought you might like to know.

Deffo not pulling your leg! I bought a kiwi plant at Woolworths over the weekend - it is variety Jenny and self-fertile. Think I am going to put it in a large pot and see how it goes - that way I can put it in the greenhouse over winter if it needs shelter.

[Ratty]

I bought a Kiwi last spring - Planted it out and trained it in a fan against the fence.

It grew to about 6' but showed no sign of flowering!

It gets one more summer to pull its socks up before being consigned to the compost heap!

[JennieAtkinson]

Oh great - a kiwi variety called Jenny. Couldn't it be a nice showy plant?

[GardenFan]

Hi folks,

I bought a 'Jenny' a few weeks back, its spending the winter in the greenhouse in a pot. In the spring its going on a south facing wall, hopefully it will fruit

[Alexx]

Just bought two plants off Ebay, "Hayward" variety, male and female.

Was reading about growing kiwi on the net. Apparently, folks are growing them in Canada without greenhouses, so I'm hoping central Scotland will be ok

Going to plant them in a nice sunny spot on either side of my patio and let them climb up the pergola.

[inca'smum]

If you look on the "in the kitchen forum" under "making the most," there are posts about kiwi on there. I would re write it but dont have time to do it today, sorry.

[Alexx]

If you look on the "in the kitchen forum" under "making the most," there are posts about kiwi on there. I would re write it but dont have time to do it today, sorry.

Thanks,

Those posts are just what inspired me to buy the plants