The kiwi bush, which comes from China, can be cultivated in the home garden as a tub plant. You need a sufficiently large container with a good substrate and a thick drainage layer. A consistent cut and suitable climbing aids are also important.
Among the exotics, kiwi is considered to be easy to care for and robust. Keeping them in the bucket can only be made more difficult by the fact that the kiwi plants are very vigorous. They can reach heights of up to 10 meters in optimally chosen locations. Therefore, when buying, not only choose a variety that is sufficiently hardy for your region, but also one that is slow-growing.
Location and care of the tub kiwi
Since you need at least one female and one male plant to harvest the fruit, you need a large planter - enough for two plants - or two tubs standing side by side. Even the self-pollinating kiwi varieties bear better if you plant more than one plant next to each other.
A good substrate with a pH value in the acidic range is particularly important for kiwi plants in the tub. Otherwise, the same applies to the kiwi in the bucket as to the outdoor plant:
- a sheltered, warm location is ideal,
- a stable climbing aid is required,
- young plants not at all, fertilize older plants sparingly,
- water a lot in midsummer,
- A good drainage layer is required to avoid waterlogging,
- a layer of mulch keeps moisture and pH levels in.
Pruning the tub kiwi
In order to keep the kiwi bush, which tends to proliferate, permanently in the bucket, it is advisable to consistently shorten the fast-growing branches, if necessary several times a year. Only in early spring before flowering should it not be cut, as there is a risk that the flower buds on the two-year-old wood will be cut off. During the summer, the fruit shoots are first cut five eyes behind the fruit, with a second cut then one or two eyes behind.
tips and tricks
The tub kiwis should be overwintered frost-free and in the dark in the first year. Later, good winter protection must be provided around the tub and in the root area. The mini kiwis need additional protection against late spring frosts while they are sprouting.