Kiwi Care
Actinidia deliciosa
A vigorous, deciduous fruiting climber that needs a pergola or wire system. For fruit, female and male plants must be planted together; it needs plenty of water.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
- Pruning: While dormant, remove dry, broken, crossing and inward-growing branches so that air and light reach the inside of the crown. Finish winter pruning in January-February, before the sap starts to flow; in summer, also shorten excess shoots.
- General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
- Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer when it wakes from dormancy. Because yield and fruit quality depend on nutrient balance, having a soil analysis done is especially useful for this plant.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
- Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
- Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: Flowering begins. Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone. It conserves soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Keep the mulch away from the stem.
- Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
- Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
- Fertilizing: Apply the second fertilizer dose during the growing season. Do not fertilize after August; late growth will not survive winter.
- General care: Flowering continues.
- Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
- Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
- Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
- Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
- General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
- Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
- General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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