| Bought Monrovia male & female kiwi April 20. I've had no blooms=no fruit. Will it happen? AND I have them in large whiskey barrel planter, how do I winterize them? |
| Kiwi needs about 3 years to mature after planting before it is old enough to flower and bear fruit. Fuzzy kiwifruit can be grown in Oregon. Hayward is the best cultivar for your region because it needs a growing season of about 225 to 240 frost-free days. However, although this species should tolerate temperatures down to 10oF (-12oC), plants may be damaged at slightly higher temperatures. Cold damage usually occurs when temperatures drop during the night after a warm spell. The trunk usually is damaged, which weakens older plants and sometimes kills young vines. Although methods such as wraps and plastic sleeves may help to protect the trunk against freeze injury, they are not always effective. The trunk's sensitivity to cold decreases with age. Young kiwifruit shoots and fruit are very sensitive to frost injury. Temperatures of 30oF or less (-1oC) for only 30 minutes can severely damage shoots in the spring and fruit in the fall. Still, these kiwifruit can be grown successfully with overhead irrigation for frost protection. |
