FUZZY BERRY

THOUGH NATIVE TO CHINA, THANKS TO A NAME CHANGE THE KIWIFRUIT IS NOW UNIVERSALLY ASSOCIATED WITH NEW ZEALAND

Words Chloe Thomson

In the early 20th century, when the kiwifruit was introduced to New Zealand as Chinese gooseberry, it’s said the locals thought it resembled their own national emblem, the flightless, fuzzy kiwi bird, and so the fruit earned a new name. Kiwifruit is a vigorous, deciduous vine that needs a sturdy trellis or pergola to climb. These long-lived creepers won’t begin to fruit until years after planting, with prolific harvests from 7–8 years onwards — after which your vine will continue fruiting for up to 50 years. You will however need more than one vine: kiwi vines are dioecious, meaning each will produce either male or female flowers, never both on the same plant. For pollination and fruit set you must have at least one male plant and one female plant, although one male…

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Good Organic Gardening (Digital) - 1 Issue, 14.6

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