Kiwi plant care: watering, fertilising & common diseases
Ever thought of growing your own kiwis? Find out all you need to know about kiwi plant care to ensure a successful harvest.
Kiwis are a complex genus of plants. Whilst there are several different types of kiwi, all of which belong to the Actinidiaceae family, those species that can be grown in the UK are all quite similar in terms of care. Basically, there are four important points to consider when caring for a kiwi plant: sufficient water supply, balanced supply of nutrients, proper control of diseases or pests and proper pruning of the kiwi plant.
Watering kiwi plants
Since kiwis have rather large leaves, they lose a lot of water through transpiration when exposed to sunlight. Weekly watering is therefore usually essential, especially in summer. When it is not raining, water your kiwi plants about three times a week, with at least 10 litres per adult plant. When grown in pots, the compost usually dries out faster. Kiwi plants also have shallow roots, meaning they cannot reach deeper soil layers, so it is best to water them more frequently and with less water than when grown in the ground. Especially for kiwis in pots, using your finger to test the soil can be very useful — when the soil feels dry to the touch, water again.
When it comes to watering kiwis, very hard tap water is not recommended because it damages the plants and can cause lime-induced chlorosis. Rainwater is preferable.
Feeding kiwi plants
Add some compost to the hole when planting to guarantee a good supply of nutrients from the very beginning. Make sure the hole is about twice the size of the root ball. For in-depth planting instructions, check out our other article on planting kiwis. In general, fertilisation should not be too strong in the first 3 years after planting, otherwise long, soft and frost-prone shoots may develop. Once the plants have established themselves after this period, you can apply fertiliser twice a year, at the end of March and around mid-June. If your soil pH is higher, it is a good idea to use an acidic fertiliser, such as our Plantura Hydrangea Food, to lower the pH somewhat. This is important as kiwis grow better in slightly acidic soil than in alkaline soil.
- For beautiful hydrangeas with lush blooms in pots & flower beds
- Prevents common deficiency symptoms & supports healthy plant growth
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Common diseases and pests
- The spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is a vinegar fly or small fruit fly that attacks fruit by laying its eggs in it, making the kiwifruits inedible. A good measure against this pest is to harvest the kiwis while they are still a little hard. This is because the flies lay their eggs mainly in softer fruits.
- Phytophthora is a fungal pathogen that damages the roots and stem and can cause the entire plant to die; this is known as phytophthora root rot. Once infested, the kiwi plant roots will start to rot and the plant will show signs of wilting. As a preventive measure, do not plant kiwifruit vines in spots where other fruit trees have previously been grown.
- In very cold years, frost damage can occur, especially to young parts of the plant. Affected shoots look as if they have dried out. To prevent this, it is best to plant a kiwi species that is suitable for the climate where you live. It is also advisable to plant them in a protected location, such as against a house wall.
