Bayern-Kiwi `Weiki` (R): Care ABC & cutting

The Bavarian kiwi 'Weiki (R)' (Actinidia arguta) is a high-yielding, small-fruited and very sweet kiwi variety with gooseberry-sized fruits. Because of the size of their fruits, they are also known as Kiwi berry, mini or baby kiwi.

Location requirements

The Bavarian kiwi or kiwi berry (Actinidia arguta) is probably the best-known of all the berry kiwi species. It is very robust and productive, as long as you pay attention to optimal conditions.

• Kiwi berries are a plant that needs warmth
• needs a warm and sunny location
• can also stand in partial shade
• Ideally near a warm house wall
• South facing location not recommended
• The base of the kiwi plant must be shaded
• for example with a layer of mulch
• The reason for this is the roots that run flat under the surface
• fruits should also be shaded by leaves
• They then usually mature faster and are of higher quality

If the kiwis are permanently exposed to the blazing sun at their location, they are prone to sunburn and corking. In general, the fruits can cope with cooler temperatures, but should still be in a sheltered place. The Bayern kiwi can only tolerate strong winds badly. However, this problem can be solved with an appropriate climbing aid.

Note: It becomes difficult in particularly cold winter locations, which are also increasingly affected by late frosts. It's probably too cold for the mini kiwi here.

Soil condition

As far as the nature of the soil is concerned, it may have to be adjusted or modified before the Bayern kiwi are grown. be upgraded. In the best case, it is deep, medium-heavy, humic, slightly moist and nutrient-rich with an acidic pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Compared to calcareous soils, smooth-skinned species, including the Bavarian kiwi, are much more tolerant than species with hairy fruits. Waterlogged and compacted soils are completely unsuitable for growing kiwis.

planting

The best time to plant is in the spring, although also in autumn or October can be planted. As soon as it is frost-free outside and no more late frosts are to be expected, you can plant.

• first thoroughly loosen the soil in the planting area
• to a depth of at least 40 cm
• In the meantime, water the roots of the plants well
• Dig sufficiently large planting pits
• about twice as wide and deep as the root ball
• Plant spacing of at least 200 cm
• Loosen the sole well in the pit
• Mix the excavated earth with humus materials as a starting aid
• such as compost, rhododendron soil, horn shavings or decomposed forest soil
• Place plants in the middle
• Fill up with excavated earth, step on the earth, water

Note: In order not to damage the flat roots of the kiwi variety 'Weiki', mechanical tillage, e.g. hoeing, should be avoided in the area of ​​the roots. Incidentally, the Bayern kiwifruit can also be grown in a bucket.

Trellis recommendable

Since this kiwi is a vigorous variety that develops shoots 300-400 cm long over the years, it needs an appropriate climbing aid. Despite the vigor and the length of the shoots, this plant is not a heavyweight, but a stable framework is required. Trellises, tensioned wires or a pergola on which the plant can climb are suitable as climbing support. Ready-made climbing aids are also available in stores. Regardless of the type of trellis, it should be attached when planting.

to water

Watering is arguably the most important part of maintenance. The kiwi berry forms a relatively large amount of leaf mass. Accordingly, evaporation is high. In addition, it comes from humid and tropical regions of the world, so that sufficient water supply must be ensured. The soil should never dry out completely.

• The roots of the kiwi 'Weiki' run flat under the surface of the soil
• as a result, they cannot absorb water from deeper soil layers
• Thorough watering in the first few days after planting is particularly important
• as well as in particularly dry and hot summers
• water two to three times a week if it is dry
• about 10-15 liters of water per plant with each watering
• additional watering is generally recommended during the main growing season

The lianas of the kiwi 'Weiki' are sensitive to soil warming, which can lead to the death of the upper roots. Signs of this are curled edges of the leaves. To counteract this, it is advisable to apply a layer of mulch, for example made from lawn clippings, leaves or pine needles. As a real forest plant, the mini kiwi also loves a permanent mulch layer made of humus and organic materials.

Tip: Specimens in the bucket have to be poured accordingly more often, as the substrate dries out much faster due to the small volume.

You should fertilize the first time from the third year of standing. When choosing the fertilizer you should make sure that it is chloride-free, because these plants are very sensitive to chloride. As a rule, a single application of compost or animal manure in the spring is sufficient. You calculate about one to three liters of compost per plant. If you want to use mineral fertilizers, you should give them about every two to three months and only from the third year of standing. From March to September potted plants can be fertilized about every four weeks with a commercially available liquid berry fertilizer.

Note: Nitrogen should be administered very cautiously. Too much of it leads to the formation of strong, long and poorly matured shoots and also increases the risk of frost damage.

cut

The mini kiwi 'Weiki' is a vigorous liana plant that grows tall. In order for it to deliver as high a yield as possible, appropriate pruning measures are necessary, with this kiwi in particular requiring little pruning. The best time to do this is in both summer and autumn. Spring is unsuitable because the plant would bleed profusely at this time.

On the trellis

• Cut as little as possible in the first three to five years
• Attach the shoots to the trellis at regular and even intervals
• remove weak and dead shoots every spring
• thin out if the plant becomes too dense
• Fruit wood pruning as with other species is not necessary
• first fruits from the third year

At a pergola

• Cutting on a pergola is much easier
• Derive shoots in different directions
• Thin out the plant a little after harvest
• shorten the oldest shoots to young side shoots
• Remove too long and annoying shoots in summer
• The yield here is usually lower

Overwinter

The winter hardiness of this kiwi is very good, it is well adapted to winter in Germany. It tolerates temperatures of up to minus 30 degrees and due to the late flowering it is hardly at risk of late frost and the fruits can ripen well. It looks a little different with the young shoot, which shows up as early as March. There is already a risk of damage from late frosts. In any case, the Bayern Kiwi should be protected in winter, also from too much sun and the soil should be kept well moist. Because even in winter, the subsurface should not dry out.

Multiplication

sowing

In addition to seeds for male and female plants, a suitable cultivation vessel such as B. a smaller pot or a mini greenhouse, standard standard soil and cling film or another translucent cover.

• Fill the pot with soil
• Spread seeds on the substrate
• do not cover with soil
• Moisten the substrate and attach the cover
• Cover prevents drying out
• Germination occurs after about two weeks
• as soon as the seedlings are three to five centimeters in size
• put male to female plants
• only in the garden when they are about 100 cm tall

Tip: If you want to use seeds from your own fruits, they must first be freed from the surrounding mucus layer.

Cuttings

Another form of cultivation is via cuttings or cuttings. Cuttings that can be cut from existing plants in due course.

• Cut cuttings in spring or autumn
• can also be lignified when cut in autumn
• should be about 10-15 cm long
• each from a female and a male plant
• Place cuttings in small pots with potting soil
• Moisten the soil and keep it evenly moist
• Put translucent foil over the pots
• then place in a shady, sheltered place
• If the young seedlings appear, remove the foil
• Plant out if the size is appropriate
• further care corresponds to that of the older specimens

Diseases and pests

The Bavarian Kiwi 'Weiki' is characterized by its very good resistance to diseases and pests. In this country it has no natural enemies. Only the cherry vinegar fly from the fruit fly family likes to tamper with the ripe fruits. This problem can be successfully countered with an early harvest.

frequently asked Questions