Growing Kiwi without structure support

15 years ago

Has anyone tried growing Kiwi's just on the ground as opposed on a trellises or arbor? I am thinking about trying a grouping of a few and trying to just radiate arms on the ground and letting run like a melon plant. I have a feeling I would end up with a twining mess but I am not sure keeping it pruned would be anymore work than the pruning on a supporting structure. I am thinking keeping the grasses, weeds, and wild brambles controlled in the area would be a major task. I was thinking on trying it with some Actinidia chinensis seedlings (gold kiwi) to try and let them grow out for evaluation. I will probably as well just put some on a woodland edge and start them up some trees knowing they probably will not produce much with the shade, but if I do happen on one that shows some promise I could graft it over in a better location.

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Comments (6)

denninmi
15 years ago
My first thought is that slugs, earwigs, etc., would probably ruin the fruit if its in contact with the ground, or it might just rot from touching moist soil. I have a lot of problems along those lines with melons, voles along with the aforementioned pests like to chew into them if they're sitting on the ground. I have better luck if I raise them up on a brick or similar.
hemnancy
15 years ago
I just put a strong T-post in the ground to tie the vine to, the taller the better. It will then fan out from that like a large umbrella, but will be up off the ground and also makes shade underneath that will keep down the weeds. I have to say that the fruit seems to give me digestive problems so I don't actually eat much of it. Also it ripens so late here that sometimes frost comes first. I would not plant them again.
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nullzero
15 years ago
I am training mine like a small tree with the vines drooping over like an umbrella. It is working well so far.
strudeldog_gw
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Folks, The single post umbrella seems worth trying. I was concerned as noted about the fruit rotting on the ground and the added pest pressure, I imagine rabbits, and woodchucks etc... could develop a taste for them if they were accessible on the ground. I worry about the arms radiating out from the single post breaking down, particularly if I was able to laden them with fruit. Maybe I will try adding another crossbar and convert the T-post into a +-post with some wire support along the idea of those portable clotheslines, but then I might as well just be working with another trellis. Any ideas on growing out a bunch seedlings for evaluation are appreciated. With the Chinensis plants seemingly unavailable I would be eventually giving the selected individual plants a proper support, and culling the majority of the plants.
glib
15 years ago
I am not sure slugs will get into it, or mice. In fact, my guess is they will not. It is a very acid fruit that is picked firm.
rogue_hertz
15 years ago
I found a video, in my hunt for growing kiwi, that talked about frequent pruning methods to make the plant into more of a kiwi bush.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kiwi