Do you have to cut back kiwi?

Do you have to cut back kiwi?

The kiwi plant is a creeping, hardy shrub that likes to climb up on pergolas, arbors, fences and walls. Under optimal site conditions, the kiwi grows several meters a year. This is seldom desired, so you should shorten strong-growing branches.

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Cut time

Fruit wood pruning is done in late autumn after harvest. The extensive wood renewal pruning and the shortening of the long shoots are carried out in February / March, when you can see the bare structure better.

Types of cuts

Cutting is an important maintenance measure in order to harvest plenty of healthy fruit. The following pruning measures are used for kiwifruit:

  • Upbringing,
  • Clearance section,
  • Fruit woodcut,
  • Rejuvenation / renewal cut.

Upbringing

In the first two years of standing, the direction of growth of the main and side shoots is determined and the basic structure of the plant is formed. The easiest way to do this is on the trellis. To do this, wires are stretched between sturdy wooden posts. You 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 rod. Competing shoots are removed immediately.

Fruit woodcut

With the harvest, the fruit shoots are cut to stumps of two to four buds. After three years, the fruit wood can be completely removed, which then pulls new side shoots into fruit wood. To ensure an even yield, you should not cut away more than a third of the entire old fruit wood.

Rejuvenate and renew

Around every seven years, older main shoots can be removed and replaced with young ones. Low-yielding plants can be pruned radically, the overaged wood removed and thus renewed. The plant can be rebuilt by diverting young, well-growing competing shoots. This can also be done in the event of frost damage to the kiwi plant.

Tips & Tricks

With the strongly growing kiwis, you can practically not overlap. The more radical the cut, the more the plant sprouts again.