Kiwi – watering the kiwi tree

• Kiwi Origin
• Kiwi care and location
• Cutting kiwi
  
• Fertilizing kiwi
• Watering kiwi

Kiwi Origin

The kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa, Actinidia chinensis), formerly also called Chinese gooseberry, originates from China. In 1904, teacher Isabel Fraser brought the seeds to New Zealand after a stay in China. Exports to England began in the mid-20th century, and soon after to Europe and North America. In Germany, consumption rose from 900.000 to 85 million between 1972 and 1981.

Kiwis grown from seed take several years (usually 5-10) to develop flowers. Grafted plants from specialist retailers sometimes flower after only three years. 
Since kiwis are dioecious, a male plant is needed nearby in addition to a female plant for pollination. Several female plants can be pollinated by one male. Male and female plants can be distinguished by their flowers. The male flowers have only yellow stamens in the center, whereas the female flowers have a white style in addition to the stamens.

The yellowish-white flowers of the kiwi appear at the end of May. They are fragrant and about 5 cm in size. 

The leaves, which are 10-20 cm long, are dark green and oval to heart-shaped. The underside is hairy. 
The skin of the fruit is green to brown and hairy. Depending on the variety, the fruits are between 5 and 10 cm in size and are harvested in October.
In cooler regions, they usually do not fully ripen on the tree. Unripe fruits can ripen on the windowsill, for example. Fully ripe kiwis do not last long, but can be stored for some time in a cool room with high humidity.

Kiwi care and location

Kiwi plants thrive in nutrient-rich, well-drained, and consistently moist soil. They are climbing plants and can reach several meters in height. A trellis or wall is needed for support. The ideal location is sunny to partially shaded and sheltered from the wind. Kiwi plants are shallow-rooted and their roots near the base can easily suffer damage during periods of drought. The soil around the base of the plant should be left undisturbed.

Cutting kiwi

Since kiwis bleed heavily in spring, major pruning should generally be done in late summer. Kiwis tend to grow vigorously, and pruning is necessary from the third year onwards. On trellises, formative pruning of the main and side shoots is carried out, and in late autumn, after harvesting, fruiting wood can be pruned. Otherwise, older main shoots or parts of the plant damaged by frost are removed.

Fertilizing kiwi

If the kiwi is planted in suitable soil, then it will Fertilize Fertilizing is not necessary in the first two years. From the third year onwards, and once the kiwi plants bear fruit, they require more nutrient-rich fertilizer. Mature compost is best suited for this purpose and should be applied around the base of the plant in spring. A second application of fertilizer during flowering is also recommended.

A mulch layer prevents drying out and promotes soil life.

Watering kiwi

Rising temperatures and increasing drought are having a serious impact on the environment and putting trees under stress. Depending on the specific location and the climate situation, more frequent watering may be necessary than in previous years. Kiwis do not tolerate drought and need plenty of water in the height of summer. Brown leaf edges and wilted leaves are signs of water shortage. A general guideline is to use approximately 75 liters of water per watering.

The optimal watering method is baumbad Premium watering bagsDrip irrigation allows the roots near the ground to absorb water without surface runoff. Filling one irrigation bag provides young trees with sufficient water. 
Attaching and filling the water bags is simple and straightforward. The bag is placed around the tree trunk like a jacket and zipped shut. The next step is to fill the bag with enough water so that, after further adjustment, no wrinkles remain in the bottom area, and then let it fill.