Kiwi or Chinese gooseberry is a fruit native to China. A fun fact about kiwi is that it was introduced to New Zealand by a schoolteacher, later on, the New Zealanders called it after their national bird “kiwi”. In the present, kiwi is abundantly grown in New Zealand, Italy, and Chile among others. Kiwi is often tasteless, much like a pear but minus the crunch that’s why there are people who don’t like it. That depends on the variety of kiwi. The golden variety is sweeter than the green ones.
But in terms of nutrients, kiwi is a fruit you can’t ignore. Did you know they are six times more nutrient-dense than apples? It is even reported that it has the equivalent amount of Vitamin C compared to an orange. If you’re among the few who love kiwi, not for its tastes but its health benefits, you might have considered growing them in your garden or backyard. In some countries, kiwi can be quite expensive.
The kiwi tree can grow vigorously. A trellis will be useful in growing kiwi because they can support the growing vines. Each one being able to grow even up to 40 feet long. If you don’t have a lot of space, you will be glad to know that growing kiwi fruit in pots is possible. Here are the steps on how to grow kiwi from seed:
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Grow Kiwi From Seed
Step 1: Get your seeds from the kiwifruit. Many seasoned gardeners believe organic kiwi is more likely to produce fruits compared to their non-organic counterparts. You can also purchase kiwi seeds from nurseries and plant stores online.
Step 2: Germinate the seeds by placing them on a damp paper towel. Store it in a ziplock bag and place it in a warm area. Kiwi seed germination is faster when you keep it in a humid place so check the paper towel from time to time. Make sure it does not dry out.
Step 3: Plant your seeds in a pot with well-drained and slightly acidic soil. Place around three to four germinated seeds per pot.
Step 4: Place the pot in a well-lit area. Kiwi requires full sun. It needs three to six hours of direct sun per day.
Step 5: Transplant your seeds in a bigger area. This step is very important because kiwis can grow up to 40 feet. Vines should be separated at least 10 feet apart from each other.
Step 6: Water your plant daily. Make sure your soil is well-drained to avoid overwatering. Fertilizer is only advisable to use once the vines of your kiwi plant mature.
More Kiwi Care Tips
Planting the kiwi is just the easy part, maintaining them is a whole new area to study. You need to vigorously follow the tips that we are going to share with you. We want to make sure that not only your kiwi fruit grows, but it also will be more productive in bearing fruit.
Kiwi thrives in soil rich in organic matter. The soil can be incorporated with wood waste, manures, and sludges. Water your kiwi plant on a regular basis especially during the hot days of summer months. When your kiwi suffers from drought stress, it’s prone to browning and dying. Don’t fertilize the kiwi plant right away after planting them, but during the spring following the initial planting. When adding fertilizers, consider adding the organic matter fertilizers. Apply those fertilizers in late winter and early spring, just as they begin to develop.
Kiwi vines need constant pruning to remain healthy and productive. Consistently prune your kiwi plant, especially so in it’s first year, to train it to grow straight and upward, establishing its shape. The pruning usually is done in the winter months where they are dormant, but it also requires pruning in the summer months after flowering. The vines start bearing fruits in their fourth or fifth year, and they reach their peak developing in the eight-year and can live for more than 50 years.
Aside from placing your kiwi in a warm area where it can get full sun, it’s also important to plant both female and male kiwi for pollination. Kiwi, especially young shoots, can be greatly affected by cold weather so its best that they are protected when cold weather comes in.
Note that only female vines produce fruits, meaning to say that male and female flowers are born in different vines. In order to grow the fruit, it is advised to plant one male vine for every eight to nine female vines. Pollination will do the work for bearing fruits. You will be able to tell the gender by looking at the flowers. Once it’s in full bloom, check if the flowers have white stigmas in the center. That indicates that it’s a female kiwi.
How to Harvest Your Kiwi
Once your kiwi bears fruit, make sure you’re aware of your kiwi cultivar so you know when is the best type to pick them. For the hardy kiwi, you will not have to wait long because they usually come off once ripe. But for the fuzzy variety, it’s best to harvest them in the fall season. Since they don’t ripen on the vine, you need to store them properly for months for them to ripe.
It may take one to three years before you see your kiwi tree bear some fruits. That is if your kiwi has female vines. But the good thing about kiwi is you can expect an increased yield the year after your first harvest. A single tree can continue bearing fruits for up to 50 years.
Benefits of Eating Kiwi
Kiwi seeds benefits are impressive. In fact, it’s even called a superfood because of its many benefits for the body. If you want a cholesterol-free and fat-free snack, kiwi is a good choice. It’s also free from sodium and gluten, making it a wholesome choice when you want to live a healthy lifestyle.
Just as previously mentioned they are cholesterol-free and good for a healthy snack, but the kiwi fruit can provide much more than that. Kiwi can also provide you the potassium you need which gives you a much more healthy lifestyle. Potassium relaxes the blood vessels which helps in managing blood pressure, and this provides lower chances of developing any cardiovascular diseases. A high potassium intake also prevents kidney stones.
Kiwi fruit also contains folate. Folate is essential for cell division and doctors advise their pregnant patients to increase their intake of folate to lower the chance of birth complications. Kiwi also contains vitamin k, calcium, and phosphorus. These three contribute to healthier and more sturdy bone development which can also prevent osteoporosis.
If you have trouble sleeping at night, the kiwi fruit is there to help you. Studies have shown that the kiwi fruit contains compounds among which are antioxidants and serotonin which are beneficial to the treatment of sleep disorders. Consuming at least two kiwi fruits before bedtime will greatly help in inducing and improving sleep.
Many people discard the skin of kiwi fruit. But it’s edible and it’s a good source of fiber and Vitamins E and C. Some varieties of kiwi are hairless so you will be comfortable eating them. It’s one of the heart-healthy foods, so you can eat it when you want to reduce your triglyceride levels.
Kiwi promotes proper digestion because it contains enzymes needed for a healthier gastrointestinal tract. You can even consume kiwi on an empty stomach. Meanwhile, the high fiber content of kiwi is beneficial for reducing blood sugar levels and managing cholesterol.
Kiwi is usually eaten on its own. But you can also add in a fruit salad, smoothie, and jams for a more refreshing take on your favorite desserts. In addition to salads and drinks, you can incorporate kiwis in muffins, cakes, and sorbet. If you have a lot of them, you can simply turn them into a refreshing juice.
Conclusion
Kiwi is often regarded as a complicated plant to grow. But as with many plants, kiwi has its specific requirements and you just need to follow them. If you’re eager to grow kiwi, do your research to know the best type of soil and temperature you will need to have a productive kiwi plant.
With enough patience, you can grow your kiwifruit even from store-bought kiwi seeds. Just remember, moisture is an important part of kiwi seed germination. Doing the proper germination process increases your likelihood of growing kiwi. To succeed in growing kiwi, it’s important to ensure the roots are strong in the first year of planting them.
Growing kiwi fruit in pots becomes easy once you learned the right techniques in germinating seeds and transplanting your plants. With the best location, you can guarantee a reduced chance of damage to your plants.
