Kiwi (Common) 'Saanichton'

Kiwifruit
Actinidiaceae
Deciduous, Edible fruit, Vines

KIWI

From eastern Asia. Fast-growing, twining vines reach 30 ft., are grown for fruit with flavor that is a combination of melon, strawberry, and banana. Fuzzy-skinned kiwifruit (the type sold in markets) has a delicious piquancy; the other kinds are sweeter. Unless you have a self-fruitful variety, you will need to grow a male plant nearby to pollinate the female (fruit-bearing) plant.

Supply sturdy supports, such as a trellis, an arbor, or a patio overhead. You can also train kiwi vines to cover walls and fences; guide and tie vines to the support as necessary. These vines prefer good, well-drained soil and regular applications of nitrogen fertilizer. Plants are sensitive to salt burn in alkaline soils. 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.

During dormant season, prune 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 3 years and shorten younger shoots, leaving three to seven buds beyond previous summer’s fruit. In summer, shorten overlong shoots and unwind any shoots twining around main branches. Because male pollenizer’s sole purpose is flower production, you can prune it back drastically after bloom.

'Saanichton'

This variety was bred to perform well in cool-summer climates. It produces 1 1/2-in. creamy white flowers in spring, and fuzzy egg-size fruit in October-November. It must be ripened off the vine; egg cartons are good storage units. Needs a male pollenizer.