emegar

I just ordered a pair of Ken's Red hardy kiwi vines. I know I could be growing the more familiar, larger kiwi's here in my climate, but I like the idea of smaller, sweeter fruit with edible skins.

Does anyone have experience pruning a hardy kiwi? I'm wondering how frequently I'll need to hack them back to keep them in check.

RobG7aChattTN

I just wanted to make sure that you knew not to let them dry out. I had read that advice but did not realize how important. We hit a drought and I watered mine a bit, but didn't worry too much about it. Well, they all died. That was last year and in this drought I've really tried to keep mine watered. Good luck!

sunfish

I'm trying to grow Kiwi but not having much success.

RogerEvenBove

I've had a mix of hardy kiwis (anasnaya and at least two other varieties) growing on a pawpaw patch for years. These are extremely aggressive plants in SE PA. I find that I have to prune continuously during growing season. Since I have 'tender' kiwis and unwanted wild grapes close together this is a twice-a-week task. I like the fruit of the hardy kiwi but no one else seems to, they have a very slightly soapy taste. Until two years ago my success with the 'tender' kiwis was markedly greater than that with the hardy kiwis, which have gotten slightly more preductive every year. Last summer I demolished the 'tender' vines that covered the south side of the house and allowed then to grow back on a new arbor. So far the 'tender' kiwis have grown like mad and produced blossoms but no fruit. This is not a complete tragedy since I had a hard time ripening and giving them away.
rbove@wcupa.edu