Kiwi vines are vigorous climbers that produce substantial, flavorful fruit, making them popular for home gardens. Successfully growing them requires understanding their unique needs and knowing where to purchase healthy stock. Acquiring the right variety from a reliable source at the optimal time influences the plant’s establishment and future fruit production. This guide details the necessary background and provides purchasing options to secure the ideal kiwi vine.
Understanding Kiwi Plant Types Before Buying
The first step is distinguishing between the two main types: the familiar fuzzy kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) and the cold-tolerant hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta). Fuzzy kiwi varieties, like ‘Hayward,’ require a long, warm growing season and produce the large, brown, oval fruit found in stores. Hardy kiwi, or kiwiberry, produces smaller, smooth-skinned, grape-sized fruit that can be eaten whole and is significantly more resilient to cold.
Most kiwi plants are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants. Both are required for fruit production, as female plants produce the fruit and male plants supply the necessary pollen. It is crucial to purchase a male and female plant from the same species, as they cannot cross-pollinate between fuzzy and hardy types. One male vine can generally pollinate up to eight female vines when planted nearby.
For gardeners with limited space, self-pollinating varieties exist that produce fruit without a separate male plant. The hardy kiwi hybrid ‘Issai’ is a common self-fertile example. Even with these types, adding a compatible male plant often results in a larger, more reliable fruit yield.
Specific Retail and Online Purchasing Options
The choice of where to purchase kiwi plants falls between local horticultural retailers and specialized mail-order nurseries. Local independent garden centers offer the advantage of seeing the plant before purchase. These local sources also provide regional expertise, which helps in selecting varieties best suited to your climate and receiving tailored planting advice.
Alternatively, online nurseries and mail-order specialists offer a much broader selection of species and cultivars. These specialists often ship plants as bare-root stock—dormant plants shipped without soil in late winter or early spring. Bare-root plants are economical and establish quickly. When ordering online, research the vendor’s reputation to ensure the plants are correctly sexed.
Large chain stores and general online marketplaces also carry kiwi plants, but their selection is usually limited. While convenient, these venues may not offer the specialized knowledge or range of species found at dedicated fruit tree nurseries. Choosing a vendor who specializes in fruit and berry plants provides the highest assurance of receiving healthy, correctly labeled stock.
Timing the Purchase and Selecting Healthy Stock
The ideal time to acquire and plant kiwi vines depends on the plant form. Bare-root kiwi plants should be planted in late winter or early spring while dormant. This allows the root system to establish before summer heat. Container-grown plants can be planted anytime from spring through early autumn, but avoid the peak heat of summer. Planting in the spring, after the danger of hard frost, gives young shoots the best chance to flourish.
When selecting a plant, whether in person or upon arrival, a visual inspection is necessary to ensure healthy stock. Look for a strong caliper, which indicates good foundational growth. The plant must be free of visible pests and diseases, such as scale insects or fungal spots.
For container plants, a healthy, fibrous root system is desired, but the roots should not be excessively circling the pot, indicating the plant is root-bound. Avoid any signs of root rot, which appears as dark, mushy roots. If purchasing a bare-root plant, the roots should appear moist and pliable, not dry or brittle, and should be immediately soaked in water before planting.