Fruitless male kiwi suitable for pollinating arguta females Anna, Geneva 3 and Michigan State. Will not pollinate kolomikta kiwis.
Extremely vigorous vines are often grown just for their beautiful dark green ornamental foliage accentuated by reddish-pink petioles (leaf stalks). Z4. Maine Grown. (well-rooted vines)
Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered
on or before March 7 will ship around March 26
through late April, starting with warmer areas and finishing in
colder areas. Orders placed after March 7 will
ship around late April through early-to-mid May, in the order in
which they were received.
ships in spring
7477
Meader Male
Additional Information
Kiwiberries Actinidia spp.
Productive twining vines climb 20' or more and produce delicious
kumquat-sized kiwi fruits in late summer, so delicious that you might not be
able to stop eating them! Unlike supermarket kiwis, the skin is smooth and
edible. The longer they ripen on the vine, the sweeter they become. Once
vines
are established, adequate pruning (see directions below) will significantly
increase yields. No significant pest or disease problems.
Although the vines are quite hardy, the flowers and foliage are frost
sensitive. Planting on a northern exposure will delay budding in spring and
reduce risk of frost damage. Protection from winter winds and intense winter
sun
is also recommended. Mulch with hay or wood chips. In poor soil fertilize
annually with compost (such as either
Rainbow Valley
compost or
Coast of Maine
Quoddy Blend compost).
We offer two species:
Actinidia arguta
ripens around mid-September, has large fruit and is more vigorous than
kolomikta. (Argutas can just about pull down a tree.)
Actinidia kolomikta
ripens around mid-August, has small fruit and is less vigorous but more
cold-hardy than arguta and should thrive even in the northernmost
districts.
Both species are native to eastern Asia.
Growing Kiwiberries
Soil: Prefers rich well-drained soils.
Pollination: Both
male and female plants required for fruit. One male
will pollinate several females as long as they are within
approximately
30' of the male.
Planting: Plant vines 10' apart each way in moist
but
well-drained soil.
Training and Pruning:
On a trellis:
Train a single trunk to the trellis wires and then train two
permanent 7–10' cordons (arms) off the trunk. Each
winter
remove at least 70% of old growth, leaving a dozen or so
one-year-old laterals. The coming summer’s fruit will
develop on fruit spurs growing off these one-year-old
laterals.
Summer pruning may be required to keep
extremely rampant vines from choking out your farm.
On an arbor or gazebo: Once established,
prune
70% of the old growth each year and leave some new canes for
this
year’s fruiting.
The Pruning Book by Lee Reich is an excellent
reference
for pruning kiwis.
