Finished at last. I’ve been working on this bad boy for about three weeks. First weekend I set the treated posts in cement. The following weekend I cut the strips out of the cedar siding K. gave me when she moved. The weekend after that I took a break to finish the picnic table and this weekend it all came together.
The kiwi (one male and one female) had been living in 3 gallon pots where I planted them last spring when I purchased them online. The female has about 20 small kiwi fruit on her now. They seem to do better in the partial shade and will get some late afternoon sun where they are planted now. They spent all last summer and part of this spring on the back porch about 10′ from where they are now. Until the locust tree leafed out they started getting some leaf scorch from too much sun. I moved them to a shadier spot till the tree filled out to protect them.
K. thanks again for the wood. I will think of you whenever I look at my new trellis. There is still a good deal of wood left over. I have an idea or two… stay tuned.
i had no idea kiwi needed both male and female to produce fruit. great trellis and great info.
Hi Danielle,
Thanks for the kind words.
I am not sure about the fuzzy kiwis at the store but all hardy kiwi varieties that I am aware of except one (Issai) require a male and female plant for fruit. The variety Issai contains both male and female flowers as I understand it.
Hi,
That’s a very attractive trellis! And an interesting website/blog. Did you get any fruit in 2007 or 2008?
-Ron
Glad you like the trellis.
Fruit started in 07 but we were quite dry that year and it ended up dropping off. The few fruit I would have had last year were picked off by the birds. I am hoping for at least a couple this year.
Is that strong enough for a kiwi? Are you growing fuzzy kiwis, or hardy kiwis? That seems inadequate for fuzzy kiwis, imo.
We aren’t warm enough for fuzzy kiwis here. I am growing the hardy variety. So far so good. I may end up having to keep it trimmed back some but I had planned on that anyway.
Kerry,
Handsome trellis, that, for your hardy kiwi. Is it looking too small yet? Spring 2010 should be the 3rd year for the plants growing on it, right? I want a decorative trellis too but from the looks of commercial plans I wonder if yours is sturdy enough. My structure would need to be along the side of a shed. Please advise.