Kiwi Plant Care

The Kiwiplant, also known as Actinidia Deliciosa 'Jenny' , is one of the very best choices for anyone who wants to grow fruit in their own garden. This self-pollinating garden plant is a vigorous climber that not only creates a beautiful green wall, but is also one of the most productive fruit plants. When you care for this plant properly, you will enjoy a rich harvest after a few years. The Kiwi plant has an exotic appearance and is healthy, fresh fruit from your own soil. In this blog, you can read more about caring for your kiwi plant.

Watering the Kiwi Plant

A mature kiwi plant has an enormous leaf surface area and therefore evaporates an astonishing amount of moisture, especially on warm summer days. To prevent fruit growth from stagnating and to keep the plant vital, a well-thought-out water management system is essential for the kiwi plant. Because the roots lie relatively close to the surface, the plant dries out faster than you would expect based on its robust appearance.

How do I water my Kiwi plant?

It is important to find a balance between moist soil and a healthy root environment. The following points guide your daily care:

• Summer peaks: Water the Kiwi plant daily during prolonged heat. Preferably do this early in the morning, so that the plant enters the hottest hours of the day with a full 'water tank'.

• Young plants: Young specimens of Kiwi plants need extra attention for the first two years. Their root system is not yet deep enough to seek out groundwater independently.

• Recognizing moisture deficiency: Drooping or browning leaves on the Kiwi plant are often the first sign of acute dehydration. Intervene immediately, but avoid 'drowning' the plant afterwards.

  Prevent root problems in the Kiwi plant

  Although the Kiwi plant is a heavy drinker, it strongly dislikes stagnant water at the roots. When the soil becomes saturated and oxygen (hydrogen) can no longer reach the roots, root rot sets in quickly. Therefore, always ensure well-draining soil. For heavy soil, it is advisable to improve the structure with sand or compost.

  

  Kiwi Plant Location

  The ideal spot for a kiwi plant is warm, very sunny, and sheltered from strong winds. Because it is a vigorous climber, the plant needs a sturdy structure to grow against. Take the following points into account when choosing a location:

  • Sun hours: Choose a spot in full sun; the more sun, the sweeter the kiwis become.

  • Shelter: A south-facing wall or a fence protects the young shoots against late spring frosts.

  • Space: Give the plant room to spread out widely; a width of 3 to 5 meters is not unusual.

  Kiwi plant in a pot

  It is certainly possible to keep a kiwi plant in a pot on a terrace or balcony, provided you choose a very spacious container. When keeping in a pot, pay attention to the following:

  • Volume: Use a pot of at least 40 to 50 liters for sufficient root space.

  • Drainage: Ensure holes in the bottom and a layer of hydro granules to prevent root rot.

  • A plant in a pot becomes depleted more quickly; therefore, fertilize more frequently with liquid plant food.

  • Frost protection: Wrap the pot in bubble wrap in winter, as the roots in a container are more susceptible to freezing.

  Moving a kiwi plant

  Moving an established kiwi plant is a risky undertaking due to its extensive and fleshy root system. Should you have to move the plant anyway, follow these steps for the best chance of success:

  • Timing: Move the plant exclusively during the dormant period (November to March).

  • Preparation: Prune the plant back heavily before you start digging.

  • Root ball: Dig up as large a root ball as possible to leave the delicate root hairs as intact as possible.

  • Aftercare: Water generously immediately after replanting and monitor humidity very closely during the first year.

  Kiwi plant Flowering time

  The flowering time of the kiwi usually falls in late spring, around May and June. Beautiful creamy white to soft yellow flowers appear then, spreading a subtle, sweet fragrance. Important to know about flowering:

  • Pollination: The 'Jenny' is self-pollinating, which means that one plant is sufficient for fruit.

  • Insects: Bees and bumblebees are essential for good fertilization; so ensure a nature-friendly garden.

  • Fruit setting: After flowering, the petals fall off and you see small green balls appear that grow into kiwis.\

  

  Planting kiwi seeds

  For the patient gardener, it is a fun experiment to do it yourself to plant kiwi seeds from a ripe fruit. Please take the following process into account:

  • Cleaning: Remove the black seeds from the fruit and wash away the flesh thoroughly to prevent mold.

  • Germination: Place the seeds on damp paper towels or in a tray with seed compost in a warm place (approx. 20°C).

  • As soon as the seedlings have two true leaves, you can carefully repot them into larger pots.

  • Patience: Realize that it can take 7 to 10 years before a home-seeded plant bears fruit for the first time.

  

  Kiwi Plant Toxic

  Although the kiwi plant is generally safe for humans, extra vigilance is advised if you have pets that like to nibble on greens. For dogs, the leaves and stems of the kiwi plant are not directly toxic, but a large intake of the leaves can lead to unpleasant stomach upset or vomiting due to their tough texture. With cats, we often see a peculiar phenomenon: they can react to the scent of damaged kiwi roots or freshly pruned branches like they would to catnip, causing them to become 'wild' and unintentionally damage the plant. As for the fruit, the ripe kiwis themselves are safe for consumption by animals, but the characteristic hairy skin can cause irritation to the mucous membranes in the mouth or throat of both dogs and cats. So, it is best to keep your four-legged friends at a safe distance while pruning and clean up fallen fruit promptly.

  

  Pruning a Kiwi Plant

  Pruning a kiwi plant is absolutely necessary to keep growth in check and direct energy to the fruit. Do this twice a year: a winter prune for shape and a summer prune for fruit growth. Do you want to know step-by-step how to do this without damaging the plant? Then read our extensive blog: Pruning Kiwi Plants.

  

  Taking Kiwi Plants from Cuttings

  Taking cuttings is the best way to to make an identical copy of your favorite plant. The most successful method is taking summer cuttings:

  • Period: Take cuttings in July or August from young, semi-hardened shoots.

  • Length: Cut off a piece of about 15 cm, just below a leaf node.

  • Leaf: Remove the lower leaves and halve the remaining upper leaves to prevent evaporation.

  • Rooting: Use rooting powder and place the cutting in a mix of sand and potting soil under a plastic cap.

  Read more about propagating a kiwi plant in our extensive blog: Kiwi Plant Cuttings.

  A kiwi plant is a hungry grower and needs extra nutrients during the season. A good fertilization schedule looks like this:

  • Spring (March): Use an organic base fertilizer or dried cow manure pellets to help kickstart growth.

  • Summer (June): Apply extra potassium-rich fertilizer; This promotes the development and taste of the fruit.

  • Dosage: Sprinkle the fertilizer around the base of the plant, but keep away from the stem to prevent burning.

  

  Kiwi Plant Snails

  Especially young kiwi plants are a delicacy for snails, which can lead to significant growth retardation. You can take the following measures:

  • Barriers: Sprinkle coffee grounds, eggshells, or apply copper tape to keep slugs at bay.

  • Trapping: Check the plant in the evening with a flashlight and manually remove any slugs present.

  • Natural enemies: Provide a hedgehog house or birdhouses in the garden; They love a snail meal.

  Read more in our extensive blog about combating snails for the best tips and solutions.

  Kiwiplant Diseases

• Mildew: A white haze on the leaves in warm and humid weather; ensure better air circulation by pruning.

• Root rot: Brown, drooping leaves while the soil is wet; this indicates poor drainage.

• Leaf spot disease: Bacterial infections are recognizable by angular brown spots; Remove affected leaves immediately and disinfect your tools.

By pruning the kiwi plant well annually and providing it with sufficient water and nutrients, you will enjoy a beautiful, green oasis every summer. A kiwi plant requires some attention, but the reward in the form of delicious fresh fruit is truly unsurpassed.