The large-fruited kiwi varieties of the Chinese pennant (Actinidia chinensis) need a lot of warmth and can only grow in wine-growing regions in Germany with mild winters. The particularly frost-resistant varieties of the sharp-toothed ray pen (Actinidia arguta), on the other hand, also thrive in colder areas.
The easy-care kiwi shrub is well suited for cultivation in the home garden. The large-fruited kiwi variety Heyward, which you can buy all year round in German supermarkets, is not very hardy and can already be damaged at -10°C. It is therefore only suitable for cultivation in regions with mild winters. The significantly more frost-hardy, small-fruited mini kiwis, e.g. B. the so-called Bayern-Kiwi or Weiki, are hardy down to -30° C and bring good yields even in colder climate zones in Germany.
Kiwi as an outdoor plant
If you plant the kiwis in a sheltered, windless location, for example on a south or south-west wall, they are well protected from extreme weather conditions and frost. For young plants, especially those that are planted in autumn, additional winter protection of the root area with a thick layer of mulch, leaves or brushwood is recommended. If the kiwis are planted in early summer, they have a better chance of getting through the winter unscathed.
Kiwi as a container plant
Keeping the kiwi in the bucket is made more difficult by the climbing shrub's pronounced willingness to grow. The kiwi plants can climb 10 meters and higher. The following should be observed with bucket kiwifruit:
- choose a sufficiently hardy, slow-growing variety for your region,
- Overwinter young kiwi plants in the first year in a frost-free and dark place, e.g. B. in a cold basement or in a garage,
- For older plants, loosely wrap the tub and the root area with garden fleece and fill the cavities with leaves.
tips and tricks
Since the mini kiwis sprout relatively early in spring, additional protection against late frosts is advisable.
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