Question From:
Isabella PavliI in Para Vista, South Australia SA
Nature of problem:
I would like to get instructions on the best way to go about planting a Kiwi vine and how to go about doing so Thank You
Type of Plant (if known):
Kiwi Plants one male and one female
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
New Plant
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
Clay
How often do you water the plant:
Regular on all our garden
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
Open area so most of the day
What type of plant is it:
New purchased Kiwi
How long since you planted it:
Yet to plant
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
Not yet
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
It will be outdoors
What other treatments have you given the plant:
None as I am waiting to find out how to plant it.
Upload photo if available:
Other Comments:
Answer: Hi Isabella, Local knowledge is always best. The nursery that sold you the plants should know what the local issues are. Obviously, Chinese gooseberries would like a richer soil and a wetter and more humid climate than Adelaide offers. Nonetheless, when excavating in a suburb of Adelaide, we found a water table less than 1 m down. No-one from Adelaide has ever mentioned this to me so I suspect that it is not well known. I guess that wherever you see tallish healthy street trees (eg native frangipanis which are east coast rainforest trees) , the water table from the Torrens river is lurking below ground. I would add lots of compost to the soil and perhaps some iron chelates to acidify the soil. Mulching is essential. The vines need a trellis or similar to grow on – best of all is a pergola at about 2.5m high. The plants will grow over the pergola and the fruit will hang down for easy picking. You can let the male and female plants grow together, but make sure that the less vigorous male is monitored so that it is not smothered.
