A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Does anyone grow kiwi?

I just bought some kiwi vines over the internet and was curious if anyone has tried them before. Thet are supposed to be cold hardy and grow real fast and produce fruit in 2-3 years. Any advice?

Where on the internet did you get them? I've always wanted to grow kiwi!

I ordered them from direct gardening. They have some bad press but I have been quite satisfied with the things I have ordered from them. I have not received the kiwi yet so I can let you know. It is hard to beat thier prices though. Go to go to Direct gardening.com then go to the vines section.

I planted 6 hardy kiwis last year- Argutas. I got mine in late summer, and planted them then- they started growing well until frost, and the leaves dropped. They never resprouted this spring and all died (all 6 of them!) So much for being cold hardy. I even built a T bar trellis for them, ended up using the trellis to grow some hardshell gourds this year instead.
P.S. You need both a male and female kiwi plant to set fruit. There actually alot of different kinds of kiwis- including a red fleshed one (Kens Red)

I have 2 plants myself, both are Issai, which are self fruiting.

One is doing real good and the other is still alive.

But remember they like a LOT of water.