Wish I did....I love kiwi. Never thought of trying them and for some reason I thought I read someplace that they were difficult to grow. Let me jog my memory and see if I can remember where that was.

SCG

I realize this is an old thread but I'm just posting in case anyone else is interested... I do have this variety in my garden (z3, Edmonton). It has overwintered fine (with no special protection, although we get good snow cover in my neck of the woods), flourished as a vine (going into its 4th summer I think) and it's a very attractive plant that grows at a good rate. But it has never flowered, let alone produced any fruit. I've read that this variety is self-fertile, although I guess that hardly matters if it never flowers :)

I also planted three bare-root arctic kiwi (2f, 1m) in 2013. Hoping to get some flowers on one of these plants this year!

I've planted 10 of these things they all die always.

I'm in zone 3-4

I know, this an old tread. Any update?

I just bought two of these on sale... Worst case scenario they die and my husband gets the arbour to grow hops.

Had planted this variety years ago, had thrived the first season, though was dead as a door nail the next spring, roots and all. I think 'Issai' is more so suited to a zone 5 climate ... the kolomikta types are hardier, though will much benefit from a protected site, otherwise go with a hardy grape or the hops :)

That's too bad. No good updates lol

I agree with Twros. Have tried 'Isaii' (actinidia arguta) and it survives but dies back therefore never blooms/fruits. Grows a lot in a season but lots of winter kill. 'Arctic Beauty' (actinidia kolomikta) performs better and has fruited for me. During a severe winter may die back but over well does okay. One other comment - leafs out pretty early to mid May but the foliage doesn't tolerate frost. Find myself covering with blanket and even then parts sometime get frostbitten.

Same experience as Glen. ISSAI died up to root. It's growing again.

The artic beauties (Male and female) survived no problem..

My arctic beauty kiwis are doing alright. They seem to take a few years to look their best. I moved one vine as it was in sunny dry spot against garage and leaves looked fried every summer. Rabbit then ate part of it. They say the males have more color in leaves but mine have yet to be very colorful. Still an interesting plant to grow.

Kiwi is too much trouble for me in 2b. My vines survive for about three years on average, and then die. I could probably keep them alive by burying the vines in the fall — they do flower and set fruit here — but I’m too lazy for that.

My Issai kiwi dies back to the snow line each year. It’s about 8 years old. I know that there are some Actinidia arguta that are sufficiently hardy to grow in my area since I have a neighbor who grows them, but I have read that Issai is less hardy than most of this species, which agrees with my experience.