Actinidia chinensis Kiwifruit is a deciduous vine that produces large plum-shaped fruits that have furry green/brown skins and green pulp inside. Their leaves are oval, mid-green and are also furry. The flowers are pale yellow and have five petals. Kiwifruit are dioecious plants, which means they need both male and female plants to pollinate. One male will pollinate up to five females however most gardens will only have one of each as they can take up a large space. They are a long-lasting plant able to live and bear fruit for up to 20 + years. Once planted female vines take 4 to 5 years to mature before bearing fruit. Harvest fruit in autumn while it is still firm and ripen at room temperature, or in a paper bag with an apple or banana. Kiwifruit require fertilising regularly, at least twice a year in spring and autumn. A complete fertiliser or well-broken-down animal manure is ideal.
Soil: They like moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Prepare your soil by adding compost and well-broken-down manure.
Conditions: Full sun. The vine is best planted facing north or where it can get 4 to 6 hours of direct summer sunlight. Best in climates with warm Summers and cool Winters with sufficient ‘chilling hours’.
Size: Height 5-10m x width 5-10m
Soil: They like moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Prepare your soil by adding compost and well-broken-down manure.
Conditions: Full sun. The vine is best planted facing north or where it can get 4 to 6 hours of direct summer sunlight. Best in climates with warm Summers and cool Winters with sufficient ‘chilling hours’.
Size: Height 5-10m x width 5-10m