I'm clearing a space in my yard where I would like to grow traditional kiwis (the fuzzy ones). I'm leery of their vigor and intend to try keeping them a manageable size. I don't want hundreds of pounds of fruit. Ten pounds would be just fine with me.

What about restraining them somewhat by growing in large smart pots (30 gal?). Coupled with aggressive training/pruning, does anyone think this could work?

Welcome to the forum Steve. I started a bunch from seed a few years ago. They get out of hand really quickly if you don't have the space they need. I ended up cutting mine down after all the photos I found of mature plants... They really need a lot of room.

http://www.tallcloverfarm.com/1059/fuzzy-kiwi-vigorous-vine-delicious-fruit

If one starts Kiwi from seed, how can one be sure to obtain a male and female? If the plant grows as vigorous as in Laaz's link, the extra problem is that in order to get fruit, one would have two very vigorous plants. I'm not a big fan of kiwi anyway, so I think I if I want some, I will just purchase mine from the supermarket. - Millet (321 BO-)

No way to know what sex the plants are until they flower if planted from seed. I had so may sprout I figured that I would have at least 1 female if I planted 8 of them. Problem is the started growing into my citrus trees & up the side of the house...

Steve, I don't know for anyone growing kiwi in a pot, 30 gal pot is maybe not large enough. Anyway, if you want and like kiwi go for it.
When I was starting with kiwis everyone was telling me that I have no chance, due to location. They were wrong.

Generally, kiwi needs male and female plants nearby.
If a neighbour have male kiwi you could pass w/o male.
Or, you could have male grafted onto a branch of female.
Maybe you can find kiwi which can set fruits with out male.

Millet wrote:

If one starts Kiwi from seed, how can one be sure to obtain a male and female?

Most of seedlings will be male kiwis. I had luck guessing:
"At the time of planting seedlings I made a guess, seedling which gave me 'male' impression (more hairy, more redish, leaves less heart like) turned to be male indeed. Or I was just lucky."
link

A variety from nursery, date 2009-10-10:


Seedling, date 2009-10-10:


Most of seedlings are given away, the rest planted around fence resulted in surplus males so I'll have to practice kiwi grafting (chip budding probably), these days.
BTW: Anyone with experience of kiwi grafting in March?

Ivica do you have a photo of the entire plant ? Do you have them on a trellis ?

Yes, new photos would be great.

Wow! What a lot of replies

I'm still leaning toward trying the experiment, although I don't have the lifespan or space to experiment with seeds at this point. I'm hoping that restraining the roots will have a somewhat dwarfing effect on the vines. That, and a pruning regimen similar to what is shown at Edible Landscaping

http://www.ediblelandscaping.com/plants.php?func=view&id=10

for an Issai hardy kiwi (I know, it's much less vigorous) might give me a chance at some fruit without the kudzu effect. Ideally I'd like to eventually graft one lateral of each sex with a Chinensis (golden) variety.

Worse comes to worst, I can plant some hardy kiwis in the same place or espalier some fruit trees by adding a few more wires.

I didn't think the golden kiwi plant was available in the US ?

Roger Meyer has a number of golden kiwi varieties available. I think I've also come across a nursery in Alabama that is growing them.

http://www.petalsfromthepast.com/video/goldenkiwivideo.html

Thanks for the info.

I have not heard Roger Meyer's name in a while. Not since my CRFG's magazine subscription ran out. Roger frequently advertised his plants in that magazine. If I remember correctly, he did not ship, so customers had to make an appointment for pick up at his home. - Millet (319 BO-)

Great job Ivica!