Q.
Is it possible to grow kiwi in Las Vegas? I love the flowers and big leaves on
the vine and am not looking for a big harvest.
Is it possible to grow kiwi in Las Vegas? I love the flowers and big leaves on
the vine and am not looking for a big harvest.
A.
Kiwi requires a growing season of at least 220 days which we have and that is
one thing in our favor. What works against it are our low winter temperatures,
strong sun, low humidity, strong winds and desert soils.
Kiwi requires a growing season of at least 220 days which we have and that is
one thing in our favor. What works against it are our low winter temperatures,
strong sun, low humidity, strong winds and desert soils.
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| immature kiwi |
You can do it but you need put it in
a warm winter microclimate somewhere in your landscape. Once Kiwi gets
established, it can handle lower winter temperatures. Protecting it from
freezing temperatures when it is young will be very important.
a warm winter microclimate somewhere in your landscape. Once Kiwi gets
established, it can handle lower winter temperatures. Protecting it from
freezing temperatures when it is young will be very important.
It does not like windy locations
either. Wind deflectors or wind barriers will help as well.
either. Wind deflectors or wind barriers will help as well.
Kiwi does not like our alkaline desert
soils or soils with a lot of salt. Soil improvement and good drainages is a
must.
soils or soils with a lot of salt. Soil improvement and good drainages is a
must.
Kiwi can handle hot, arid conditions
up to about 115° F. without too much difficulty. This will run a bit contrary
to what you might read in the literature.
up to about 115° F. without too much difficulty. This will run a bit contrary
to what you might read in the literature.
So if you are going to make this
work you will need a male and female plant. The variety Hayward is commonly
used commercially for fruit production. It is grown in the Central Valley of
California which can get pretty warm.
work you will need a male and female plant. The variety Hayward is commonly
used commercially for fruit production. It is grown in the Central Valley of
California which can get pretty warm.
The male variety, Chico, is commonly
used as a pollinator. Just make sure whichever Kiwi female you select a male
that blooms at the same time as the female.
used as a pollinator. Just make sure whichever Kiwi female you select a male
that blooms at the same time as the female.
Prepare
the soil thoroughly with amendments and leach the soil with lots of water
before planting to remove the salts. Make sure the soil drains easily so you
might want to plant in a raised bed. Plant in a location that gets morning and
early afternoon sun but is protected from late afternoon sun.
the soil thoroughly with amendments and leach the soil with lots of water
before planting to remove the salts. Make sure the soil drains easily so you
might want to plant in a raised bed. Plant in a location that gets morning and
early afternoon sun but is protected from late afternoon sun.
Kiwi
is a vine so you will need to construct some sort of trellis to support it.
This is a plant that will not tolerate dry soils so make sure the soil is kept moist
during the summer months. I would use a 3 to 4 inch layer of wood mulch on the
surface. This will help Kiwi a lot.
is a vine so you will need to construct some sort of trellis to support it.
This is a plant that will not tolerate dry soils so make sure the soil is kept moist
during the summer months. I would use a 3 to 4 inch layer of wood mulch on the
surface. This will help Kiwi a lot.
Another option but not as much fun
it is to grow hardy Kiwi. It will handle much lower temperatures. It has much
smaller fruit but many people say the fruit is much better tasting than
commercial Kiwi.
it is to grow hardy Kiwi. It will handle much lower temperatures. It has much
smaller fruit but many people say the fruit is much better tasting than
commercial Kiwi.