Arctic Beauty Kiwi - rate of growth? Disappointed

18 years ago

Anyone else grow this vine? Is it just me, or is this "fast growing" vine pretty slow growing?

I planted one two years ago. It is finally starting to "branch out", but it sort of resembles a 2 by 2 foot scraggly shrub. This is actually three summers of growth. Mind you, it's suffered a bit from chlorosis (clay soil, very wet earlier this summer). Not to mention no sign of this fabulous pink/white/green color that's suppose to appear after 2 or 3 years. Maybe that's the problem, I am letting it branch out when perhaps I should control the growth to one main branch?

My main reason for asking is that I finished rebuilding a fence and now have a spot for a couple of vines. I am debating on planting clematis or arctic beauty kiwi. If, however, the arctic beauty kiwi isn't going to make much of an impact for many years, I might stick with clematis.

Actually, I have both and they are currently sitting in pots. Don't ask, I guess I often buy plants as backups, or if they are cheap on sale. But, it's time to get things planted, I am tired of watering pots.

I also have actinidia arguta kiwi on one side of the house. It's starting to take off in growth, but I wish I could say the same for the 'arctic beauty kiwi'. It's just that I thought I read it's a fast growing vine that will spread and give you the jungle-like effect in no time.

Glen

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Comments (4)

alalbertaz2b
18 years ago
Hi Glen
I have one of the 'Arctic Beauty' kiwis, but I bought it this year. I hope that your situation doesn't happen to me!! My concern is wintering it over. Do you do anything special in the fall to help it over the winter? My kiwi got off to a rough start. When I bought it it had about 3' of growth. Then a neighbors cat took off most of the leaves and bit off the stem right at the ground. When I discovered this it had about 3 leaves left. I put wire cage around it and now it has three stems about a foot long. I hope that it will have enough strength to over winter.

Cheers Al
glen3a
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi Al,

Sorry for the late reply. I forgot about this thread and I guess it dropped to page 2 or 3 where it wasn't very visable.

I do recall reading something that cats are attracted to kiwi vines. Not sure, but do they just roll in it, or did the cat actually eat it? If so, I guess they must like the taste?

For winter I really don't do anything special to my vine, but I do pile fresh newly fallen snow around and over the vine, then cover with a box, then pile more snow on that. You probably can forget the box thing, it's just me thinking to eliminate some of the wind around the vine, but if it's under snow there shouldn't be any wind.

I did some research so sort of answered my own question. One source said the vine is only a moderate growing, to about 10 feet tall. Not the huge monster I thought, but still should fill in the area nicely.

It also answered my pruning question, saying in the second or third year, to prune it and allow it to develop one main 'trunk'.

Anyways, I am including a link to a website about growing the Arctic Beauty Kiwi. There are a few sites on the web, but this one's unique in that it covers growing it in a northern climate. As it's fairly new in cold climates it's good to see some information on how it might perform.

Regards,
Glenn

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Kiwi in MN
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kingfoottee_hotmail_com
12 years ago
I live in the pacific northwest and planted my kiwis in the spring against a fence, which was to become the base for an 8 ft wide arbor. male in front - where the neighbors could see and the female in back. They grew painfully slow and after 5 years of bushy growth, I began training them. I also braided the trunks for additional interest. Finally, after ten years I have a bumber crop of fruit and the male put on a show this spring that was simply jaw dropping! My suggestion is not to plant them initially in full sun.

Arctic Beauty Kiwi - rate of growth? Disappointed

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Arctic Beauty Kiwi - rate of growth? Disappointed

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alalbertaz2b

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glen3a
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