I bought this male/female pair of cold hardy kiwi almost three weeks ago when I was putting in the new raspberry canes and blueberry bushes. I couldn’t decide where to put them, so they sat on the front porch for a week while I pondered.
Then I left for Breckenridge and was worried about leaving them outside with the chance of cold weather so I set them just inside the front door, beside the east-facing sidelight. They’ve been there now for a week and a half due to the cold and the snow and it seems they’ll be there a while longer.
Turns out it’s just warm enough in that spot that the two of them have decided that spring is here. Now that they’re all leafed out and actually budding I can’t exactly toss them outside in the chilly spring weather. Guess I’ll have to find a place to put them until it warms up and they can go outside to be installed along the fence.
I’ll be curious to hear how the kiwi goes for you — I’ve been thinking about getting a pair for our trellis.
Cold-hardy kiwi?!? I’d never heard of such a thing. I’m entranced.
Very interesting! Cold-hardy kiwi, I’d never have thought. What temp was/is it where you put it? How big does it get?
Audrey :: I had a pair at the last house that did okay. The spot they were in was too hot I think. My mom in MN has a pair that actually fruited last year - after several years of just being pretty. I’ll keep you posted!
Jessi :: They’re called Arctic kiwi and there are several varieties. They’re hardy to -20F and have smaller fruit than the warm climate vines (about 1″). You can get them from a lot of different nurseries, although they often sell out in the early part of the summer.
Mangochild :: Our entry is probably around 55F most of the time, I really should have realized what would happen, but I didn’t. They get to 10′ I think - someone correct me if I’m wrong - and I’m planning to put them on the chicken yard fence to give the hens some shade in the south facing part of their yard.
Wow! I wonder if they would grow around here?