Growing mini kiwifruit in a polytunnel GROWING MINI KIWIFRUIT IN A POLYTUNNEL
ACTINIDIA The foil tunnel is a construction that enables the cultivation of plants that would not normally not be possible. Although there is always the possibility of running an exotic plantation outdoors, it is associated with a high risk of failure. Therefore, thermophilic plants susceptible to frost and low temperatures are cared for under cover. One of the plants that increasingly appear in greenhouses is actinidia or mini kiwi.
WHAT IS ACTINIDIA ? This is a climbing plant, which begins to bear fruit the second year after planting. Attractive white flowers develop in May, which then turn into fruits, reminiscent of gooseberry (from 3 to 4 cm in size). The plant itself grows up to 5m, while one of the variety is three times taller.
Actinidia arguta, which we will focus on in the guide, needs 150 days without frost to grow fruits. Although its hardiness is well known, this is only partially true. The plant itself is able to withstand extreme temperatures, however, buds, flowers and annuals branches can not.
POSITION As it is a thermophilic plant, it needs to be exposed to the sun's rays for as long as possible. An adult plant can withstand a temperature of -30 ° C, although no gardener would dare expose it to such conditions. It would certainly limit its growth for the next seasons. Seedlings should be protected under cover, as their resistance will improve over time. After all, the first stages of development determine how the mini kiwi will fare in the future.
SOIL The substrate should be fertile, rich in nutrients and also permeable. Thanks to this , correct growth will be achieved, the plant will be climbing up , and the root system will develop favorably. It is important that soil in the greenhouse is humid, but not wet and well drained. The optimal pH is acidic and the pH should be between 5 and 6.5
SEEDLINGS Actinidia develops slowly, therefore it is much better to use 2 or 3-year-old seedlings than to start from seeds. Young plants are introduced into the soil at the same depth as they grew previous to this, it is important that the site is filled with compost or manure. During hot weather and in the first months of growth, the mini kiwi needs a lot of water.
SPACING
Growing the plant on T-shaped structures is a more optimal way, giving much more fruit. In a hobby foil tunnel, it can be supported by strings suspended on the arches of the steel structure. In this case, it is planted every 40 cm in rows, keeping a distance between them of 80 to 130 cm.
PRUNING When cutting, take into account that only 2 and 3 year old shoots give fruits, and buds are formed with 8 leaves that developed in the previous year. In January, February , healthy and strong shoots with 10 buds are shortened. These strongly thickening so-called branches (with no fruit) are removed in the summer, so that they do not obscure the rest of the climbing plants.
SET OF FRUITS Mini kiwi fruit offer harvest usually in the 4th year of planting. When they reach a size of up to 2.5 cm they are ready for harvest, but do not wait too long. The soft skin is prone to damage and the mini kiwi falls from the tree. Therefore, when the plant begins to bear fruit, it is worth  checking it regularly to collect the crop.
You can get up to 20 kg of fruit from one actinidia!
POLYTUNNEL MANUFACTURER www.krosagro.co.uk krosagro@krosagro.com