The vines of the kiwifruit are either male (bearing only male flowers) or female (bearing female flowers and fruit). We currently carry the Kiwi-Fuzzy All-Purpose males and the Kiwi-Fuzzy Hayward females. One male can pollinate up to 8 females. The Hayward female requires 600 hours of chilling hours and the All-Purpose male requires 800 hours. A vine can take up to five years from planting to produce flowers or set fruit. Be patient - these unique vines are well worth the time.

Plant kiwi in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade and plant your vines on a mound or bed slightly higher than the surrounding area so water will drain away from the trunk. Vines can grow to 30 feet long and will need sturdy supports, such as a trellis, an arbor, or a patio railing to grow on. By erecting the right structure for plant growth, you will ensure easier access to your vines for training, pruning and fruit production for years to come. Protection from the wind is also important because breezes of 10 to 15 mph or strong gusts can break developing shoots and reduce vine growth and production. Hot, dry air can wilt vines, scar fruit and leaves and cause fruit to drop.

To establish kiwi, you need good soil drainage and adequate water. Watering is one of the keys to growing kiwi vines. Lack of water, especially during periods of growth, results in wilting and the appearance of burned and/or brown curled leaves. In hot weather you will need to water three to four times a week for vines three years old or younger, and twice a week for older vines. Water deeply, insuring that the entire root ball receives water at each watering. You may use a hose, a drip system, or mini sprinklers. Overhead watering is not recommended as the fruit is susceptible to staining from salts and minerals in the water.

In fall, harvest fruit while it is firm and let it ripen off the tree; fruit left on the vine too long will spoil or be eaten by birds. Start harvesting when the first fruits just start to soften or when fuzzy kiwis turn from greenish brown to fully brown. For prolonged storage (up to 8 weeks), keep the fruit uncovered in your refrigerator’s crisper. Fruit may also be placed in sealed plastic bags in the refrigerator. To hasten ripening, put an apple or a banana in a bag with the kiwifruit and leave them at room temperature for a few days, until soft.

During the dormant season (December through February), prune the female vines for form and fruit production. Cut back to one or two main trunks and remove closely parallel or crossing branches. Fruit is borne on shoots from year-old or older wood; cut out shoots that have fruited for three years and shorten younger shoots; leaving three to seven buds beyond the previous summer’s fruit. In summer, shorten overlong shoots and unwind any shoots twining around main branches.

Male vines are pruned differently than female vines. Winter pruning in male vines consists of cutting out twisted, dead, or weak canes but leaving most canes 3-5 feet long. Because the male pollenizer’s sole purpose is flower production, you can prune it back drastically after it blooms. After flowering and pollination in May, male vines are cut back, leaving short, new canes to spread on the trellis. New growth soon appears and will grow and produce flower buds for the next year.

Kiwifruit has been found to contain more vitamin C than oranges, more potassium than a banana and is the most “nutrient dense” of all major fruits. Kiwifruit is now ranked as one of the ten most nutritious fruits. In addition to vitamin C and Potassium, kiwis contain Folate, Copper, fiber, vitamin E, Manganese, Chromium and Lutein.

Kiwifruit can be enjoyed many different ways; some people just slice them in half and scoop out the fruit, and some eat it like an apple, fuzzy skin and all. Try topping a bagel and cream cheese with the beautiful emerald green slices, add to fresh fruit blender drinks, garnish on pies and cakes or how about a peanut butter and kiwi sandwich? Kiwifruit is very versatile, use your imagination and enjoy.

Despite remaining a relatively small agricultural industry consisting of around 300 growers who farm around 13 acres each. California produces about 98% of the kiwifruit in the US. There is a California Kiwi Fruit Commission located in Fresno, California which has a very informative website: www.kiwifruit.org with information ranging from the history of the fruit, types of trellis’s, pruning, recipes and a children’s section.

As with anything worthwhile, you need to expend a little time and effort, but the rewards will be ever so sweet.