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Re: Actinidia chinensis question

Victoria T. Olson wrote:
> 
> Nine years ago we planted two Actinidia chinensis (kiwifruit) by the
> pergola. While the female did not make it, the male has flourished,
> covering the structure with a large vine and felty round green leaves and
> (in the spring) sweetly petaled white flowers.
> 
> In November I bought that male two young females, which I repotted in
> purple gallon cans for the kitchen. (Hey, it's my kitchen!) They are now
> rampant vines, enjoying the new rich soil, constant moisture and
> relatively warm and sunny environment.
> 
> My question is this: do I have to put these two Actinidia outside so that
> they can be dormant for the rest of the winter, or can I let them grow
> uninterrupted until I plant them in the spring?
> I'm thinking that perhaps it would be better to plant them now, as
> shocking as it would be to that tender growth, so that their roots could
> develop for the top growth to come when the weather warms.
> 
> (As an alternative, I could put them into five-gallon containers in a
> breezy, chilly greenhouse where they should be protected from frost but
> would still be properly acclimated.)
> 
> I realize it will be another four or five years before these females bear
> their fuzzy fruit, but I want to give them the best start possible.
 
Hi Victoria

This is a rather late reply, but I have been pretty busy. I think if
they were mine I would opt for putting them in the greenhouse until
spring. I am sure it would not be good to keep them hot all winter. On
the other hand, if your area is subject to even light frosts they might
find full outdoors exposure  too much of a shock at this point after
being so cosy.

I don't know what arrangement you are making to support them, but you
could certainly, if you wish to save space, make your (relatively
"useless") male a good deal smaller to accomodate the ladies. Many
people here only allow their males to grow a single rod and then cut
back the new side shoots each season to about half a dozen buds. The
shoots from these buds  in spring should provide ample flowers to
"service" the females.

Moira

Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand
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