[Chaz1985]

Even with erecting an impressive fleece barrier my kiwi vines have been caught by the recent frost. Their once lush green budding leaves are now a depressing crispy brown  I'm just hoping that they can manage to make a come back as they are my favourite plants on the plot.

Does anyone else grow Kiwi vines? The ones that have been caught by the frost are the Kiwi 'Jenny', my two Kiwi 'Issai' are still currently holding their own. What do people do to protect them, other than grow in a greenhouse? I am thinking about trying to build a polytunnel 'based' structure to protect them from any further damage but DIY is not my strongest point (I'm still surprised I have any fingers left after building raised beds without adult supervision!)

Any ideas would be gratefully received.

[gobs]

Those are not numerous, I'm afraid, apart from what you already mention.

Couldn't you move it somewhere more frost free? How are you training it? If it can be lowered that might also help.

[Beetroot Queen]

Ermmm i have never put protection on mine  Didnt realise I needed too. They have lovely leaves already looking great even after the bad frost, worried now but I have no option to cover them its impossible where they are.

[gobs]

Mine hasn't broken bud yet. I never cover it either but then this mght be the very reason why it only flowered once.

[Beetroot Queen]

Mine has never flowered lol could a frost cause that, someone said they take about seven years to flower and mine are not that old

[Chaz1985]

Both of mine flowered lovely last year but I didn't get any fruit as the wind caught the blossom. I'm hoping that they make a comeback and still do the same this year but I'm not holding out much hope.

They are on a 5m post and wire system so are rather exposed. I'm toying with the idea of garden arches, bamboo canes, polythene sheeting and bubblewrap at the moment to try and give them some protection from both the wind and frost!

[carlrmj]

 

     I have a kiwi arguta, its supposed to be quite hardy .I've had it two years and it's still only about two ft tall .
     There is new growth on it now ,so I'm hoping for  a dramatic growth spurt .

[gobs]

Mine has never flowered lol could a frost cause that, someone said they take about seven years to flower and mine are not that old

About their flowering age quite some contradicting information to be had. Some say, what you were told and then you can read the commercial yields at 4 years of age.

This could be due to variety/propagation method or simply just as some would say: so many females are reluctant to flower till late.

However, some might take the good yield age(7) as equal to start of flowering.