Kiwi Propagation

As I already mentioned in my kiwifruit pollination post, kiwi propagation from seeds is not usually recommended because it is a long and difficult process: much better results can be obtained with grafting and properly propagating kiwifruit from a mature plant that is already producing.

Consider the fact that it takes about seven years for a seed to grow to a fruit-bearing plant, which makes the seed propagation process very time-consuming; add to that the disadvantage of not being guaranteed the traits of either parent, and you’ll quickly see why grafting is preferred.

We will, however, explore both methods for the sake of information.

Propagating Kiwifruit from Seeds

Kiwifruits are usually grown from seed only in experimental plots to either produce clones, or to produce rootstocks that will later be used for grafting.

To grow a kiwifruit plant from seed, just follow these instructions:

1. Put a ripe kiwifruit in a blender and pulp it
2. Strain the resulting mixture with a fine filter
3. Place the seeds and sand mixture in a plastic bag and put them in a freezer for about two weeks
4. Plant the mixture in sterilized soil, or even your garden, in very shallow holes (a maximum of 3mm or 1/8th of an inch in depth), and keep them moist
5. Wait for 2 to 3 weeks for the seedlings
6. Thin out the seedlings (just to prevent overcrowding) and wait until they are about 8cm (3 inches) high
7. Take up the seedling taking care not to damage the root system and with its soil around it
8. If you plants are being grown for rootstocks, place them 30 to 45cm apart (12 to 15 inches)
9. Your kiwifruit plants will be ready for budding after one year

Kiwi Propagation with Rootstocks and Grafting

You want to take budwood and remove the leaves, leaving about 1.25cm (half an inch) of the petiole of each leaf, and insert it into the rootstock at a height of 10cm (4 inches) with the shield or T method.

When ready, you will want to cut the stock just above the junction.

Grafting can be accomplished by following these instructions:

1. Take scions from a dormant parent plant
2. Trim them on both ends and leaving a couple buds
3. Join the scion to the stock by the tongue process or the whip, at a height of 10 cm (4 inches) from the ground


Cleft Grafting is a good idea when a vine is starting to produce less fruit

Bear in mind that both dormant cuttings and their roots usually undergo problems that make them unreliable: for maximum results they are usually treated with hormones and rooted under intermittent mist, but they don’t usually develop strong roots and can be attacked by crown-gall.

The same also tends to happen when root-grafting: the union is susceptible to crown-gall which makes the process quite unreliable.

When an old vine starts to produce lower yields, your best bet is to cleft-graft before the new growth begins (it will otherwise bleed sap): you can do it with the branch of a male onto a female vine (which will enhance pollination) or do it in-vitro using the buds of female plants.

As far as species are concerned, Hayward, Tamori males and Matua will root fairly easily, while California or Chico males will not root under periodic misting: they will have to be grafted onto seedlings.

References:

1. University of California – Kiwifruit
2. California Division of Agriculture