Germination Instructions for Kiwi

Kiwi fruit is a hardy, vining crop that is easy to propagate with seeds or cuttings. Eventually these perennials can reach a length of 35 to 40 feet if not controlled, but pruning and training can avert this extreme. Since kiwi plants are dioecious and exhibit separate sexes on each plant, one of each sex is required if you want a fruiting vine. The vines are a good investment, offering sweet fruit high in Vitamin C by their fourth year, and living for 50 years or more. The white flowers have a pleasing scent and the green leaves are furry and as long as 8 inches.

Plastic bag
Potting soil
Pots

Instructions

- 1
  Remove seeds from a mature kiwi fruit and allow them to dry out. This may take a couple days.
- 2
  Place seeds in a moistened paper towel, store in a plastic bag and keep in the refrigerator at 40 degrees F. for three or more weeks. This is called stratification, and can be continued for four months for better germination results.
- 3
  Fill seedling tray with sterilized potting soil and place seeds 1/8 inch deep. Provide moderate water to keep the soil moist. Germination can occur in three weeks if soil temperature is 65 to 76 degrees F. Maintain a high humidity level for best results.
- 4
  Transplant seedlings to 3- or 4-inch pots once they grow three to four true leaves. At this point a temperature range of 60 to 75 degrees F. is ideal.
- 5
  Plant seedlings in the ground when they reach 3 to 5 inches in height or once frost danger is past. Space plants 3 feet apart. For container growing, move to larger containers at any point. An ideal planting location is one with slightly acidic soil, between a pH of 5.5 and 7.0, that is moist and organically rich.

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