How long does it take for winter hardy kiwi to bear flowers/fruit? Mine are a few years old, well established, and healthy. I'm on the fence as to whether to eliminate them in favor of more garden space.
This message was edited Apr 30, 2012 12:20 PM
I just got a pair, one female and one male. They won't fruit without a male (except the Issai variety, and it fruits poorly.... so I'm told). I have no experience with them under my belt, but they are said to be slow growers.
Yes, they are slow growers for the first 5 or 6 years, then, WATCH OUT! ! ! Once they get going, they can TAKE OVER, and my experience shows that the "arctic" kiwis, (the smooth, small ones ) can ripen so quickly (on Long Island, NY = around Labor Day or shortly thereafter) that the raccoons, and maybe other critters get to them before I can! They are, for their size, seemingly tastier that the larger, fuzzy kiwis, (which I also grow), but I have cut mine back severely, becaaue they don't really seem to be worth it. They can grow SO fast, that I have to keep them in line by pruning nearly every week during the summer! I can get MUCH more fruit (over 100 lbs.! ) from my larger kiwis.
