Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

MickyB · « **on:** June 30, 2013, 22:32 »

I was contemplating trying to grow Kiwi plants on the allotment but having done a little research I am still not sure if I should. From what I understand they are very vigorous climbers with some sites saying they can reach eight metres or more, I was thinking about making a pergola type structure with some added trellis and letting it climb over that but I wouldn't want it to grow to such an extent that it started overtaking everything. I cannot visualise eight metres of growth or picture how that relates to how much it would spread does anyone have a photo or two to post?

Sorry to fire off so many questions but I would also like to know.........

Can it be cut back to keep it in check?

How fast do they grow?

How successfully does it fruit?

Are the self fertilizing ones OK?

Can I grow the ones with and without the hairy skin together?

How well does it cope with the winter weather in the UK?

How long in reality before I can expect fruit?

Are they easy plants to grow/maintain?

Any other considerations?

Sorry - I told you I had a lot of questions.

Beetroot queen · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2013, 22:54 »

We have two kiwis on a wooden pergola growing either side. The first three years they grew like mad, didnt cut back at all just left them too it, this year they seem much slower but they do have their first flowers, no sign of fruit though, someone on the plot told me it takes seven years to fruit so they are a bit of a long haul.

Mine will just be left to get on with it as we grew mostly for the shade not the fruits, altough fruits would be a bonus.

The flowers are a pain though as the patio need sweeping every half an hour when they drop. The ground they grow in is full of builders rubble and really poor but they seem happy

I cant answer the others but that may help a bit

MickyB · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2013, 10:07 »

Thanks for the reply Beetroot queen it is very helpful for me to hear about other peoples experiences with growing them before I decide whether to dive in (or not).

A photo would be great

Beetroot queen · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2013, 10:27 »

Quote from: MickyB on July 01, 2013, 10:07

Thanks for the reply Beetroot queen it is very helpful for me to hear about other peoples experiences with growing them before I decide whether to dive in (or not).

A photo would be great

I'll do my best but its taken me this long to get pics of the plot online. Its all such hard work.

MickyB · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2013, 16:18 »

Hmmm not many Kiwi growers out there I take it

Anyone?

moose · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2013, 18:48 »

Lot of us are not allowed trees on the allotment and if we were I'd think twice about a Kiwi. I've seen one of the Issai ones 3 years old and 12ft high. I'm told it had a few fruit in the first year and it has loads this year.

Beetroot queen · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2013, 18:49 »

Do kiwi's count as trees

Mine are climbers not trees

moose · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2013, 19:42 »

Interesting point BQ. I'm pretty sure on my site it would be considered to big but I will ask the secretary.

Beetroot queen · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2013, 19:46 »

Quote from: moose on July 02, 2013, 19:42

Interesting point BQ. I'm pretty sure on my site it would be considered to big but I will ask the secretary.

I wouldnt have thought they were any different than tayberries, or thornless blackberries etc

Chaz1985 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 02, 2013, 20:02 »

I have two kiwi 'Jenny' on my plot as well as 4 Kiwi Issai which are smaller hairless fruiting kiwi, all are supported by fence post and wire systems. It's the 1st year of growing them all but the Jenny is flowering already. If you want to buy a well established 2-3 year old kiwi vine then look at Blackmoor Nurseries website, they've currently got them on offer at �10 each. An absolute bargain! So much so. As above I bought two! I plan to train them along a three wire system, so far it seems to be working with the Jenny, the kiwi issai is slower growing atm.

My allotment council officer thinks its fantastic I'm growing kiwis, if not slightly eccentric! Lol

MickyB · « **Reply #10 on:** July 03, 2013, 09:10 »

Thanks for the tips

Photo's would be very much appreciated.

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Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

MickyB

Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

Beetroot queen

Re: Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

MickyB

Re: Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

Beetroot queen

Re: Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

MickyB

Re: Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

moose

Re: Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

Beetroot queen

Re: Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

moose

Re: Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

Beetroot queen

Re: Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

Chaz1985

Re: Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

MickyB

Re: Advice On Growing Kiwi On The Allotment.

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