Last Updated on December 30, 2021 by Guillermina
Are you wondering “can you grow kiwis indoors”? Click to find out if you can grow this exotic fruit in your home.
Kiwi is an exotic and delicious plant full of vitamin C. It is a delicious defense against coughing and snoring, all the misfortunes that accompany us on these cold days. This plant gives fruits whose taste is a combination of melon, strawberry, and banana.
Are you in love with that delicious kiwi flavor too? So much so that you often ask yourself the question “can you grow kiwis indoors”? Keep reading to find out the answer.
About The Plant
Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) is often called Kiwifruit or Chinese gooseberry. It is a woody vine and edible fruit that comes from the family Actinidiaceae. Kiwi plants are native to mainland China and Taiwan. However, they are also grown commercially in New Zealand and California.
Kiwi vines are dioecious. This means that male and female flowers are borne on separate individuals. In general, one male plant can facilitate the pollination of up to eight female plants.
As for the fruit, it is a true ellipsoidal berry and has furry brownish-green skin. Beneath its furry skin lies a firm translucent green flesh with numerous edible purple-black seeds around the white center. The kiwi plant also has deciduous leaves that are alternately on long petioles (leaf stems).
There are several types of kiwis that are grown for their fruit:
- Golden kiwi (Actinidia chinensis),
- Chinese egg gooseberry (A. coriacea),
- Purple kiwi (A. purpurea),
- Red kiwi (A. melanandra),
- Silvervine (A. polygama).
How To Grow Kiwi Indoors – The Best Tips And Tricks
When growing indoors, it is important to choose the right variety. Therefore, try one of these.
- Ananasnaya is a variety ideal for beginners. This vine produces aromatic fruits the size of grapes.
- The Michigan State variety can tolerate cold up to zone 5. It also produces aromatic fruits of larger sizes.
- Ken’s Red is a delicious and attractive plant that bears fruit with red-color skin.
- Issai is a self-fertile variety. This is a big plus if you don’t want to buy both male and female variety.
There are two common ways to grow kiwis indoors, from cuttings and seeds. This time we will focus more on the method of growing from seed.
Growing Kiwi From Seed
Growing from seed is not considered the best method of propagation. This is primarily because new plants will not be true to type. Taking softwood cuttings proved to be a much more reliable method of re-creating the existing variety. However, you can consider it an experiment because you will be able to create new varieties. You can even create your own variety that will lead you to victories in the future.
- These are the basic steps for growing kiwi from seed.
- Choose well-ripened and preferably organic, kiwi fruit.
- Remove the pulp, and then separate the seeds. There are two ways to do this. You can simply remove and rinse them or put the pulp in a blender with water and blend for a few seconds. The second method is much easier.
- Place the seeds on a tray with moist sand and cover with a plastic lid. Or place them on a damp paper towel and then in a clear zippered bag in a warm place.
- Your seeds should germinate within about two weeks.
- Transfer the sprouted seeds to a container that you will keep on a warm, sunny window sill.
Whichever way you decide to plant your kiwi (from seeds or cuttings), it is important to remember one thing. It is necessary to plant both male and female plants if you want your vine to bear fruit.
Choosing The Ideal Pot & Soil
For starters, it would be a good idea to opt for an 18-20 inch container with drainage holes. After some time (read: years) when your vine outgrows the pot, so you can transfer it to a larger size pot.
Since kiwi plants can grow about 25-30 feet in length and become quite heavy, it would be good to provide them with extra support. You can do this by setting up a strong trellis structure.
Kiwi prefers well-draining, loamy to light heavy soil. If you choose a type of soil that is rich in organic matter, it will further help the plant grow. Make sure the pH level is between slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Lastly, try to avoid clay-rich and too sandy soils.
Watering
Try to keep the soil moist. However, don’t overwater and don’t allow the plant to sit in the water as this can lead to root rot. Avoid thorough watering initially until your plants are established. After that, you can start watering daily.
Location & Temperature
Place your plant in a place that receives maximum sunlight, this will allow it to grow healthy and strong.
In warmer regions, the kiwi plant will tolerate temperatures of 56º-77º F (13.33º-25º C), and in colder regions 40º-60º F (4.44º-15.56º C). Try not to expose it to too low temperatures as they can kill your plant.
Pest & Diseases
Did you know that kiwi plants rarely attract pests or diseases? If you notice some intruders, you can get rid of them in a simple and organic way – by spraying neem oil. Also, if you have pets protect your plant by installing a fence around it. This will protect the health of both your pets and plants.
To Wrap Things Up
The answer to the question can you grow kiwi indoors is yes! Best of all growing kiwis is not that difficult with the right conditions. All you need is patience, dedication, and let’s not forget the right knowledge.
This exotic fruit has a slightly sour taste and is rich in vitamins C and K. This is what we all need on these cold winter days.
Do you have additional questions or ideas on how to grow kiwis indoors? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy planting!
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