This cold-tolerant cultivar can be grown in USDA zones 3 through 8, depending on the variety.
Hardy kiwi is primarily featured in landscapes for its attractive heart-shaped foliage.
This climber grows well on strong trellises, fences, pergolas, and other structures.
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Hardy kiwi vine should be planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.
It can be manipulated to form a broad canopy or to branch out horizontally in espalier form.
In varieties with variegated leaves, full sun also results in superior color.
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Soil
Plant kiwi vines in rich,loamy, well-drained soil.
Most vining fruit thrives in garden beds amended with organic matter, such as manure or compost.
Hardy kiwi does best in soil with a pH around 5-6.5.
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Water
Keep the soil around your newly planted hardy kiwi continuously moist until established.
Hardy kiwi relies on at least one inch of rainfall every 10 days, especially right after planting.
If your climate provides this, supplemental watering is generally not needed.
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Weekly waterings are recommended during dry spells or in dry climates.
About one gallon of water per plant, delivered through drip irrigation, should do the trick.
Wind can also damage vines, so plant in a sheltered location.
Once it reaches dormancy, however, hardy kiwi vine can tolerate temperatures as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizer
This vigorous vine is a heavy nitrogen feeder, so check that to provide adequate nutrients.
Cut back the other shoots to encourage vigor in the trunk.
Prune as needed during the summer to remove excessively long shoots or overgrown sections.
Before the winter, cut back the stems, leaving only 8 to 10 nodes on each.
Growing from seed does not assure the sex of the new plant.
At that point, harden off the plants before transplanting them outside in a prepared garden bed.
Young kiwi vines that are in the ground need only a little extra care.
Simply wrap the trunks with frost protection or mound soil and leaves at its base.
After a few years of overwintering, your plant should grow hardy enough to withstand cold temperatures without care.
Any damage to this growth can affect your harvest.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Hardy kiwi vine can suffer from both pests and disease infestation.
Cover your crop during the fruiting season to keep pests away.
Hardy kiwi can also fall victim to fungal diseases, like phytophthora crown and root rot, when neglected.
Both conditions present as reddish brown roots and crowns and can be prevented by proper soil moisture management.
Botrytis fruit rot can also affect the fruit of your kiwi and cause grey mold and shriveled fruit.
So, ensure to cover your plant’s new growth should a cold front move in during the spring.
Rabbits may eat the branches in the winter and deer and gophers may eat the leaves.
Birds and other animals often target the fruit as it ripens.
Covering the plant will help with these issues, as well.
Fruit should be eaten immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks.
Trained to a supporting structure, kiwi vines can function as privacy screens.
However, since they lose their leaves in fall, this is only a seasonal benefit.
Variegated varieties can effectively be used asspecimenplants.
Supervise and control its growth with regular pruning to avoid such situations.
