[kyoto49]

Hi
I bought a Kiwi Fruit Tree/climber from Lidl for a ridiculously cheap price, £2.40 or something earlier this year.  It is self polinating and described as a hardy vigorous climber.  The blurb gave the impression that fruits would ripen in August.  Obviously we have no fruits this year, but does anyone have any experience of growing Kiwi in the ground without protection?  How many years should it be before we get fruit?  Do the fruits ripen reliably?

Any help and advice greatly appreciated

[gobs]

Don't know where you are but I'm yet waiting for a flower after 2 years here.  

Spring frosts get them young shoots badly, I'm going to fleece it next spring.

[kyoto49]

Thanks, that good to know.  I will try and fleece it next year.  Am in Staffs, so not that far away.  We didn't have any bad frosts this spring, as I took a chance on both my sweetcorn and courgettes, putting them out really early as time is limited, and both are doing really well.  Infact I think my courgettes are way ahead than others on our site.  I'm already harvesting and donating them to friends furiously!

[weeeed]

My kiwi is self set in a bag of home made compost it has never been fed watered or cared for! It romps over my very shaded wall at the bottom of my garden. It hasn't flowered yet but anything grown from seed does take a few years to fruit. Patience and a good bottle of wine.

[chickchick]

just found this thread!
we inherited one of these self fertile kiwi plants when we moved house last year, its in a semi shady spot and is about 7ft tall, we didnt see any fruits when we moved in in august and so far none this year! who knows what may happen next year!! :?