Greetings all,
A new member and glad to be a part of the forum!

I have hardy kiwi growing in a trellis along my garden = it's actually part of my gate.

I've let it grow uncut for the past 2 years and it is spreading like crazy. I'm not convinced this is the best way to get fruit production, so I'm wondering if anyone has experience and/or good recommendations on training and pruning. I'll post a photo ASAP.

Cheers,
Fuz

Just wanted to say glade you could join us. Sorry I have never grown Kiwi.

I also have never grown kiwi but I've always wanted to.

What variety is that? Has it ever produced for you? If you can grow kiwi then surely we can, too.

Got the Kiwi from Useful plants nursery here in North Carolina: http://www.usefulplants.org/vi...

It's Hardy Kiwi (actinidia arguta) and I've heard it grows prolifically. I believe the variety I bought was "Cordifolia" and the corresponding 74-32 male.

I just found out that the USDA has changed our hardiness zone this week! I am now in 7b.

I think I need this for myself! Thanks for the info on the source. $18 for 1 gallon plant. Ouch. You should propagate your's and offer them up for trade!

Fuz (Howdy, Neighbor!)
Welcome to ATP!

I grew hardy kiwi in the late 80's/early 90's here but lost all the females. Rough weather during those winters and they weren't really settled in good. The males sure were most hardy; I believe those are the ones many folks grow as ornaments due to their hardiness (and with some being variegated).

I have a male that is huge! Friends of mine came and took cutting from it several years ago to put with their females and had great success, by the way. So yes, follow Dave's advice and propagate as many as you can!

Here is a link to all you need to know about pruning and encouraging fruit. I've dealt with this company (Virginia based) quite often over the years and Michael (owner/operator) knows his stuff. Hope this helps!
Shoe

http://eat-it.com/products/vin...

Been thinking about planting hardy kiwi this year. Thank you both for the information.

Yes, please do propagate! I have a male and have looked for a female, and no one around here has any. They actually think that I'm nuts with trying to grow kiwi here anyway Mine male has been in for a couple of years, and hasn't grown like yours, but I'm sure that has to do with the deer pruning it back every spring more so than anything else. Mine is a kolomitka variety.