How to plant kiwis in a garden greenhouse? Steps and recommendations

Do you want to learn how to plant kiwis? This is an excellent idea, as it is a delicious fruit and you can have it in your own garden. Kiwis are tasty, have many health benefits and can be used in various foods. If you choose a good greenhouse and follow several tips, you are guaranteed a great harvest.

Among the recommended structures are the tunnel greenhouse, the minitunnel greenhouse, the straight walls tunnel greenhouse and the mini-chapel greenhouse. You should analyse each one before starting your kiwi plantation, but you should also learn all about the fruit and the needs it has to grow. Read on and find out all about it.

1. What are kiwis?
2. What do kiwi plants look like?
3. How to plant kiwis step by step?
4. How to plant a kiwi by cutting?
5. What care do kiwis need?
   • Climate suitable for planting kiwis
   • Irrigation requirements for kiwifruit
   • Pruning kiwifruit
   • Suitable location for planting kiwifruit
   • Ideal soil for kiwis

What are kiwis?

Before explaining how to plant kiwis, it is ideal that you know what it is. It is a fruit originating from China, which has a sweet and sour taste. It comes from the Actinidaceae family and is currently cultivated in many parts of the world, as it adapts very well to spaces.

On the other hand, they are very delicious and also rich in vitamins such as C and K. They are often sought after because they provide a large amount of antioxidants and are necessary for a balanced diet.

What are kiwi plants like?

• Size: Kiwi plants can reach up to 10 metres in length.
• Leaves: They have large, oval-shaped leaves with a rough surface.
• Flowers: They produce small white or yellow flowers.
• Fruit: The fruit is oval, covered with a brown hairy skin and bright green flesh.
• Vines: They are climbing plants and require structural support for their growth.

How to plant kiwis step by step?

You can learn how to plant kiwis with these steps:

1. Prepare the soil: Choose a site with good drainage and adequate sunshine. You should also make sure that the soil has good organic matter.
2. Select varietals: It is best to choose varieties that are compatible with each other in order to achieve pollination and fruiting.
3. Install supports: Place tutors or structures so that the vines can climb and grow in an orderly fashion.
4. Planting: Place the plants at a suitable distance, ideally between 3 and 5 metres, depending on the size of the varieties.
5. Do the initial watering: Add enough water to establish the roots during the first few weeks.

How do you plant a kiwi by cutting?

If you want to do it with cuttings, consider the following:

1. Selection of the cutting: Choose healthy and strong branches of the plant, if they are between 20 or 30 cm long, the better,
2. Preparation of the cutting: Start removing the lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone, this encourages root development.
3. Planting: Insert the cutting into a well-drained substrate, keeping it moist and in a place with indirect light until it develops roots.
4. Transplanting: When the cutting is rooted, it can be transplanted to its final location.
5. Ongoing care: Remember that it must have adequate watering and structural support to grow well.

What care do kiwis need?

You already know how to plant kiwis and now I will show you the different care that these fruits need to be of quality.

Appropriate climate for planting kiwis

Kiwis need to be in a temperate climate to grow healthy. Warm summers and cold winters are best, but they do not tolerate extreme frosts or very high temperatures. Try to balance this, especially if you use a greenhouse.

As for sun, it is recommended that it receives direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day.

Watering needs of kiwifruit

Watering is also very important for your kiwis. The plant needs a lot of water if it is in the growing stage, but try to avoid puddles as this can lead to root diseases.

The best recommendation is to choose a drip irrigation system, as it generates the necessary humidity, but without drowning.

Pruning kiwifruit

Pruning is necessary to keep the plant healthy and productive. This should be done during the winter rest period, where old and weak branches are removed so that new branches can grow strong.

Proper pruning can improve air circulation and light penetration.

Suitable location for planting kiwifruit

No olvides elegir la ubicación correcta. Estas plantas necesitan un sitio protegido cuando vengan vientos fuertes y que puede dañar las vides o afectar la polinización de las flores. Para ello, elige estructuras como los diferentes invernaderos. 

Suelo ideal para los kiwis

Los kiwis necesitan suelos fértiles, bien drenados y con un pH entre 6 y 6.5. Para esto se recomienda enriquecer el terreno con compost o materia orgánica, lo cual mejora la estructura y retiene suficientes nutrientes.