Can you grow Kiwi in the UK

[Cadalot]

As the title asks, can it be done and more importantly outside of a greenhouse?

Can one just harvest seed from a pack from the supermarket or is there a UK climate tolerant type that can be purchased?

[veggiechicken]

I grew a "Jenny" kiwi - be warned!! http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing_66036.html
I'm also growing a Kiwiberry from a supermarket fruit http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...rry_63702.html Still going strong!

[Thelma Sanders]

I just knew you'd be here to answer that VC I remember those pics

Is it still escaping from under the concrete?

[veggiechicken]

Yes, Thelma, little thug
Problem is, I have a soft spot for it now, seeing how its struggled its way out from under a ton of concrete.

[Jay-ell]

VC, you warn others then plant out its relatives.

Cadalot, Kiwis are either male or female plants so planting from seed meens you might have to grow on alot of plants to find outs which are males and which are females. For most varieties you need to grow a male and female (although you don't need to give the male as much room)

There are two self fertile kiwi fruits - Jenny and Solo - which would mean you would only have to grow one vine. THere is also hardy kiwi Issai which is self fertile and is a related species and produces smaller berries (kiwiberries).

I picked up a Solo from Wilko last year. From a little stick in a 9cm pot it grew up 6 foot. I've pruned it back to 4 foot in winter and it's currently got big fat buds along the stem that are starting to open.

I've got a 36' wire to grow it along, tying laterals up to a higher wire. If I'm lucky, if it doesn't get killed back in winter, if the summer is warm enough, if the frosts don't nip off the buds, if it really is self fertile, if the bees help out and if I can keep up with the several summer prunings and the winter pruning then I might, in 5 years time, have a crop of kiwi fruit.

[veggiechicken]

VC, you warn others then plant out its relatives.

I can't believe they're all thugs
Just remembered the other 3 or 4 that I stuck down the end of the garden! Better check tomorrow see if they're still alive

[Jay-ell]

I've read that you're supposed to pick the kiwi fruit before it ripens and keep them in the fridge, taking some out and letting them ripen on the windowsill/fruit bowl.

I've also read that a mature vine can produce 200 pounds of fruit. With about 5 fruit to a pound that's 1000 fruit on a good year with a mature vine.

VC - how big is your fridge?

[veggiechicken]

Some years I had lots of Fruit on the Thug but they weren't as big as a shop kiwi, more the size of a large boiled egg...........or a large unboiled egg

[Cadalot]

VC et al - thank you so much for the information and the warning!!! - I'm having a rethink on the Kiwi Front after reading that thread and seeing the photographs

[Kirk]

So it's gone from "Can I grow them?"
To "Do I want to grow them?"

And all that in about 12 hours.

[Jay-ell]

That's what we're here for - to do the stupid things so that others don't have to.

Next up - outdoor oranges and sowing sausages. Just waiting for the postie to bring them

[Cadalot]

So it's gone from "Can I grow them?"
To "Do I want to grow them?"

And all that in about 12 hours.

In my mind they were going to be a dwarf tree like structure that would stand up by itself, I didn't know about the male female and hermaphrodite versions let alone how long it takes to get first fruit and how massive they grow. Me thinks my daughter can carry on buying them from the supermarket LOL

[unclefudgly]

There's a "wild" kiwi growing near New Covent Garden Market in Vauxhall, London, that has lots of huge Kiwis on it every year. I'm sure the local kids know it well.

[Jay-ell]

That's what we're here for - to do the stupid things so that others don't have to.

Next up - outdoor oranges and sowing sausages. Just waiting for the postie to bring them

Postie's been ��

[TrixC]

Does anyone know if the kiwiberries get as big as the regular varieties? I've just planted a male and female on my allotment to grow over an arch, but I don't want them to become unmanageable.