Kiwi Fruit Male - 14cm Pot

Male Kiwi Fruit, also known as Chinese Gooseberry, is a vigorous deciduous climbing vine grown primarily as the pollinator for female Kiwi Fruit vines. It produces long canes and large, rounded green leaves that create lush coverage through the growing season before dropping in winter.

Unlike the female vine, the male does not produce fruit. Instead, it produces flowers in late spring to early summer that provide the pollen required for female vines to set fruit.
One male vine can pollinate up to approximately five compatible female Kiwi Fruit vines, making it an essential companion plant when growing traditional Actinidia deliciosa for fruit.
Its vigorous growth also makes it useful for covering sturdy pergolas, fences and trellises, although regular training and pruning will help keep the vine manageable.

Mature size: approximately 5 to 10 metres high × 5 to 10 metres wide if left unrestricted. Growth can be managed considerably through training and pruning.

Pollination

The purpose of the male vine is to provide pollen for nearby female Kiwi Fruit vines.

• One male can pollinate up to approximately five females
• For most home gardens, one male and one female is sufficient
• Aim to position the male approximately 1 to 6 metres from the female vines
• Planting the male upwind of the females may assist pollination
• Male vines flower but do not produce Kiwi Fruit
• Avoid pruning the male before flowering, as removing flower-bearing growth can reduce pollination

Care & Growing Tips
Choose a sunny, preferably north-facing position with rich, well-drained soil and protection from strong winds. Around 4 to 6 hours of direct summer sunlight is ideal.
Before planting, improve the soil with compost and well-rotted manure. Dig the planting hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball and to the same depth, keeping the crown at soil level.
Kiwi Fruit prefers consistent moisture but dislikes wet feet, so good drainage is essential.
Mulch annually to conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds and improve the soil.
Feed in spring and autumn with a suitable complete fertiliser or well-rotted manure.
Train the vine onto its support and prune to maintain a strong framework and control vigorous growth. Prune male vines after flowering, once they have completed their job of providing pollen for the female vines.
Although dormant Kiwi Fruit vines tolerate frost, fresh spring growth and flowers can be more vulnerable to frost damage.

Ideal for
– Pollinating female Kiwi Fruit.
– Home orchards.
– Edible gardens.