Known to all kiwi fruits come from the Chinese actinidia.This is an interesting Asian climber that can be found more and more often in our gardens.There are many interesting species of kiwi with different requirements and fruits.
For cultivation in our climate, we recommend mainly the actinidia and spicy moth. The fruits of these plants, however, do not resemble the kiwi fruits known to us from stores.They are much smaller and have a smooth skin, which is why they are called Chinese gooseberries.
Chinese actinidia, a typical kiwi with a mossy brown skin and green acidic flesh, is a more delicate plant that tolerates our winters poorly.For this reason, its cultivation is more difficult.
The best solution is to cultivate a shrub under cover. Another cultivation method is to plant the plant in a larger pot, which is moved to a cool room for the winter.In spring, when the risk of frost is over, it is taken outside, where it remains until late autumn.
Actinidia forming
Although cultivating a kiwi is fairly simple, the shrub requires a bit more care during formation. Remember that it is a fairly vigorous climber, with annual increments of up to a meter in length.When the plants grow a bit, which usually takes place several years after planting, it will be necessary to shorten the longest increments.Pruning formers are usually performed in spring, in March or April.
What do creepers suffer from
The second cut is made in late summer. This is called "Cutting into fruit" because it has a positive effect on the ripening of the fruit.It consists in shortening the fruiting shoots.The principle of this pruning is to leave 5-8 leaves behind the last cluster and cut the rest of the shoot.Thanks to this, the fruit is better nourished. They will also be sweeter thanks to better sunlight. In the fall, harvesting the fruit will be much easier.
