The kiwis tend to overgrow. In order to keep the vigorous plant in the desired shape and at the same time promote the formation of fruit wood, you should prune your kiwi tree vigorously - if necessary several times a year.
The kiwi plant is a climbing, hardy shrub that likes to climb up pergolas, arbors, fences and walls. Under optimal site conditions, the kiwi grows several meters a year. This is rarely desirable, so vigorous branches should be shortened.
cutting time
Fruit wood pruning is carried out in late autumn after harvest. The extensive pruning of the fruit wood and the shortening of the long shoots are carried out in February/March, when the leafless structure can be seen better.
types of cuts
Pruning is an important care measure to harvest many healthy fruits. The following pruning measures apply to kiwis:
- education cut,
- thinning cut,
- fruit woodcut,
- Rejuvenation/renewal cut.
education cut
In the first two years you determine the growth direction of the main and side shoots and form the basic structure of the plant. The easiest way to do this is on a trellis. To do this, wires are stretched between stable wooden posts. Start at a height of about 60 cm above the ground and stretch at least two more wires about 50 cm apart. Each wire is covered with only one tendril, the main shoot is tied to a vertical stick. Competing shoots are removed immediately.
fruit woodcut
When harvesting, the fruit shoots are cut down to stubs of two to four buds. After three years, the fruit wood can be completely removed, whereby new side shoots are then grown to fruit wood. In order to ensure an even yield, you should not cut away more than a third of all the old fruiting wood.
Rejuvenate and Renew
About every seven years, older main shoots can be removed and replaced with young shoots. Low-yielding plants can be pruned radically, the over-aged wood removed and thus renewed. By diverting young, well-growing competing shoots, the plant can be rebuilt. You can also proceed in this way with frost damage to the kiwi plant.
tips and tricks
With the proliferating kiwis, you can practically not cut yourself. The more radical the cut, the stronger the plant will sprout again.