Useful and beloved by many, the kiwi fruit is considered exotic in Russia. The second name is Chinese gooseberry (or actinidia). This plant is common in the tropics and subtropics. But many gardeners in Russia dream of learning how kiwis grow. As practice has shown, it is possible to grow a liana even at home, and without extra costs and complicated technologies. It is much more difficult to make the plant bear fruit.
The fruits have a juicy green flesh with a white center and black seeds. On top is a dark peel with coarse villi. Kiwi was first cultivated in New Zealand, the name of the fruit was due to the outward resemblance to a small bird of the same name. The main thing for breeders was to get excellent taste and high productivity. But much more was possible. The fruits were not only tasty, but also extremely healthy.
For those who want to find out how kiwi grows, it is worth knowing that this plant is dioecious, that is, with female and male vines. Only thanks to the proximity of kiwi of both sexes can a decent harvest be obtained. Moreover, to find out what sex the plant can only be during the first flowering. Flowers differ in shape and aroma.
The second prerequisite is high humidity and regular watering, and, of course, a temperature close to +30 degrees. To see how kiwi grows in the natural environment, just go to Abkhazia, Turkey, Italy. This fruit is very common here. At first glance, it seems that the fruits are on the crown of a tree. In fact, this is a tree-like liana, which needs support. A special frame of twigs over the summer is completely entwined with greenery, forming a vibrant green dome, and fruits hang in clusters over their heads.
Kiwi is a fruit, the cultivation of which is possible in artificially created conditions. The easiest and most economical way is planting with seeds. Gardeners who want to learn how kiwi from a seed grow should understand that it is impossible to bear fruit in this case. Seeds can be taken from ripe fruits, separated from the pulp, washed and placed in moistened sand, then refrigerated. Seeds must be aged for at least 14 days, this method is called stratification (or hardening).
After two weeks, the seeds are removed, sown with sand in the nutrient soil, sprinkled with a layer of earth of 3 mm. Next, the soil is moistened from the sprayer and the containers are covered with glass. With periodic moistening and maintaining the temperature at around 25 degrees, seedlings germinate in 2-3 weeks. By this time, the glass is slightly pushed back, and then completely removed. In warmth and moisture, the liana will grow rapidly. Here is the result of how kiwi grows - photo cultivation at home.
To obtain fruits, you need to either plant a vine, or grow a culture from cuttings. A grown plant must be formed, cutting off the weak side shoots. Proper pruning is necessary, especially in the spring, to give a start to the development of sleeping kidneys. The first flowering begins only after 4 years. From the very beginning, it is necessary to help the plant by supporting it on a trellis. In a warm climate, you can transplant kiwi into the open ground. Experienced kiwi plantations in Russia are already in the Krasnodar Territory.