My Hardy Kiwis 4yrs later 2018

My Hardy Kiwis have really hit their productive stride. I literally cannot eat all of the fruit that it has produced. 

The Ken's red has really stood out as the best one of the bunch. It's also the most productive. Anna is a bit small and the fuzzy Saanichton doesn't look like it will ripen in time. When I move my trellis I may not replant this variety.

It took 4yrs to get to this stage. Here's a post from the past.

Hardy Kiwis | Actinidia arguta update 2016

5/8/16

My Hardy kiwis, Anna, Actinidia chinensis and meader are finally starting to bud and I'm super excited. 3yrs later. These were purchased from a local nursery and were grafted. If you grew one from seed it could take as long as 20yrs to fruit. That's way too long for fruit.  I have one male plant which grows more clustered buds. You need 1 male to every 8 female kiwis to help pollinate.

I also have 2 small self Issai and a recently added Li Li from Kiwibob

Different Hardy Kiwi Leaves

Previous years 

After meeting with Kiwibob yesterday. He gave me one very important tip with Hardy Kiwis. Do not cover the crown. It's a quick way to kill your kiwis.

This explains why my 2 issais have dropped it's leaves after recently up potting them.

Update: June 2016

July Update:

We have kiwis!!! Finally after 3yrs.

9/12/16. 2nd week of September and I finally get to try my very first hardy kiwi. Oh man was it good!

Hardy Kiwis

Hardy Kiwis in my backyard. I have 3 varieties and 1 male pollinator.

These guys are only on their 2nd yr of growth. I've fed them with a 10-10-10 fertilizer and some steer grow this year and they've really taken off.  I kind of expect them to take over this trellis by year's end.  I'll most likely need to do some heavy pruning in the winter time to maintain the over aesthetics and to keep it from winding too deeply around the trellis.

These were planted in 2013.

Hardy Kiwis

Hardy Kiwis.
Actinidia arguta

I was surprised to learn that Hardy Kiwis can be grown here in Washington. When I read about them I had to have some!

Hardy Kiwis come in several varieties. Some need male fertilizers. One male can fertilize up to 8 female plants.  Most require 3yrs to fruit. Mine are on their 2nd year and I have yet to see any flowers. The Issai tends to be self fertile however, I found some at the Grange in Issaquah. These will fruit after the first yr! I can't wait to try some.

*Issai
*Ken Red Hardy
*Anna Hardy
*Dumbarton Oacks hardy
*Fortyniner
*Meyer's Cordifolia
*Geneva
*Meader
*MSU

Edible Landscape seems to have the largest selection that I've seen.

1st yr in the ground.

2nd yr it's tripled by May and still growing.

But still no fruit. Hopefully by the 3rd yr we should start seeing some flowers.