Anyone growing kiwi??

lesa

Garden Master
Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
6,645
Reaction score
570
Points
337
Location
ZONE 4 UPSTATE NY
Every year I am tempted by these plants- the catalogs claim I can grow them in zone 4...They are vines and can be used on arbors and fences. I have fences I would love to cover with kiwi vines. What do you think?
 

Catalina

Garden Ornament
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
502
Reaction score
0
Points
94
Location
Minnesota-zone 3/4
I planted 2 plants (a male and a female) 2 years ago. They seem to grow very slowly, so I don't think I will ever get any fruit, but it's a nice small vine.
Just don't depend on it covering something rapidly.
I planted them with my blueberries, because they like acid soil too.

Although, they might take off - my Wisteria went crazy last year (2nd year).
 

journey11

Garden Master
Joined
Sep 1, 2009
Messages
8,470
Reaction score
4,228
Points
397
Location
WV, Zone 6B
We had a gigantic kiwi monster bush where I used to live. It made little kiwis the size of a grape tomato. It was a very vigorous grower, but about half the time it couldn't set fruit because of a late frost. Zone 6 here.
 

Lavender2

Garden Addicted
Joined
Sep 22, 2009
Messages
1,414
Reaction score
1,144
Points
257
Location
MN. Zone 4/5
I look at those kiwi vines every year!.... was just drooling again and poking around for more info yesterday ....

Kiwi - U of MN

My SIL tried the Artic Beauty, zone 4 - MN.
It took off great the first year but did not come back after winter... but her dog liked to chew on it ... :rant

I'm going to the nursery to get soil on Saturday and will ask about them there also. :)
 

Catalina

Garden Ornament
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
502
Reaction score
0
Points
94
Location
Minnesota-zone 3/4
Actinidia vines climb by twining, rather than by anchoring themselves with tendrils, so the thickness of the supports is not critical.
I just read the U of M link and I agree that they twine around the support. It's kind of weird to see - unlike grapes or any other climber that I have.
 

Latest posts

Top