When you learn how to grow kiwi from seeds, you take great pride in it. It won't be quick, but if you're patient, you'll be rewarded with a heavenly tasting fruit that's rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Health Benefits of Fruits
Kiwis contain more vitamin C than oranges and thus strengthen your immune system. They are also said to have positive effects on digestion and heart health while being low in natural sugar. This makes them a great addition to your kitchen garden.
How to grow kiwi from seeds?
Growing kiwi from seeds is not considered the best propagation method because the new plants are not true to type - in other words, they are not exactly like the plant from which they are grownYou took the seed. Therefore, taking softwood cuttings in the spring is a much more reliable method of propagating an existing variety.
However, growing kiwi from seeds is how breeders produce new varieties, and is therefore an interesting experiment. The plants are attractive, and you might even create your own award-worthy variety.
You can sow your seeds at any time, but it is best if you sow them in the fall for spring planting. This is how it works:
- Choose a well-ripened kiwi fruit, preferably organic. Scoop out the pulp and separate the seeds. You may be able to easily remove and rinse the seeds, but a reliable method is to place the pulp in a blender with water and puree for a few seconds. The seeds can then be easily removed and rinsed in a sieve.
- Scatter the seedseither on a bowl of damp sand and cover with a plastic lid, or sprinkle on a damp paper towel then place in a clear ziplock bag in a warm place. The seeds should germinate within about two weeks.
- Transfer the germinated seeds to small pots with well-drained potting soil. If you use the paper towel method, you can tear off small pieces and plant them to avoid disturbing the seedlings.
- Place the seedlings on a warm, sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse. After 3-4 months, harden off the plants and plant them either outside in larger pots or in a garden bed. If it's winter, it's best to wait until spring. The distance between the plants should be at least approx. 3 m.
How many plants do I need?
Since kiwis rely on male to female pollination, you will need at least one male and one female plant, with one male being enough for every 6-8 female plants. However, the gender of the plants can only be determined when they bear flowers, which will not be the case in the first few years.
Female kiwi plants have flowers with long, sticky stigmas protruding from the center and white ovaries at the flower base. The male plants, on the other hand, are filled with pollen-covered anthers.
As soon as the plantsTo begin flowering, ensure that every female plant is planted within about 15m of a male one and leave the rest to nature.
Which variety should be grown?
Haywardis a popular variety because of its quality and taste. But you can tooTormuri, Abbot, BrodieandAtlasTry it out – the male varieties can be pollinated with all other varieties. You can also choose between a regular and a golden kiwi variety, which have different flavors. Golden kiwis are more frost hardy.
Self-pollinated varieties are gradually coming onto the market, but the fruits are not as vigorous as traditional varieties. If you only have room for one kiwi vine, you shouldJennychoose.
If you want something different, try mini kiwis – or cocktail kiwis. Mini kiwis are much sweeter than the furry brown fruits you buy in the store. They bring small onessweet fruitsin the size of large clusters that can be eaten with skin and hair in early autumn. Cocktail kiwis are very frost hardy and grow well in a spacious pot, which gives the terrace an exotic touch.
How long does it take to grow kiwi from seeds?
Although it only takes a few weeks to germinate kiwi seeds, it takes at least 3 years for the plants to bear fruit and can even take 6-7 years.
How do you germinate kiwi seeds?
To germinate kiwi seeds, you can sow them either in sand, well-drained potting soil, or on damp paper towels. If you keep them moist, they should germinate within a few weeks.
Suitable location for the exotic animal
Kiwi plants thrive best in a sunny, sheltered spot, but are also somewhat shade tolerant - although they won't produce as much fruit. Try growing kiwis on north-facing faces or in places with less sunlight. Kiwis like slightly acidic, fertile soil, so add organic matter before planting.
How do you care for the plant?
- Mulch the plants annually—but keep the mulch away from the plant base—and apply a general-purpose fertilizer in the spring.
- In winter, cut back up to a third of the oldest branches to a bud near the main trunk, which will then produce new shoots. Kiwis are vigorous plants that you should prune and trim even in summer to keep them in check and concentrate on fruiting.
- In warm weatherwater welland make sure that the soil does not dry out during the growing season. However, the roots do not like to be soaked in water, which is why well-drained soil is essential.
What climate do kiwis grow in?
Kiwis are a versatile fruit, but they are not grown commercially in many places. The kiwi originally comes from China and was then brought to New Zealand, the land of kiwis. Kiwis can be found in many places around the worldbe grownand are frost resistant, although they struggle in very cold climates.
Growing kiwifruit in pots
Kiwis grow very well in pots and growing bags and are therefore an excellent addition to a container vegetable garden. While the pot size may initially be quite modest, you will need to repot the plants as they grow. Ultimately, you should aim for a pot size of at least 160L.
Cultivating Kiwi Vine
Because kiwis grow as vines, they need to be trained as they grow. Therefore, you should have good ideas for a trellis in the vegetable garden for them. They grow very well as a trellis or overhead on a pergola. Kiwi vines are robust, resilient and easy to cultivate. They need a lot of space on a strong base and take three to five years to growthey bear fruit. Keep in mind that most kiwis require both a male and female plant to bear fruit, so you'll end up needing more than one plant unless you want to enjoy them just for their beautiful flowers and vines.
Also interesting:Planting kiwi berries: This is how you can successfully grow the kiwi's smaller sister!
