Similar fruit to Hayward, but better adapted to cool climates. Saanichton Female Fuzzy Kiwi has fruited well on Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada, where Hayward has frozen out. Needs to be pollinated by a male Fuzzy Kiwi or Hardy Kiwi.
ZONE: 4-9
POLLINATION/BLOOM TIME: Male will provide hundreds of showy white blooms over 2-3 weeks in April/May; female flowers are insignificant by comparison.
RECOMMENDED GROWING AND CARE:
Full to 3/4 sun (in hottest areas), balanced regular moisture A MUST, and soils with high organic matter. Reduce grass competition in root zone. Top dress with compost yearly, and suppliment with timed-release organic fertilizer with high nitrogen. Needs very sharp drainage. Dormant prune in February for airflow and ease of harvest. Spur bearer. Prune like grapes. Provide very sturdy trellis especially for female vines - males can be kept tightly pruned or allowed to ramble up tall trees.
CHILL HOURS: Medium: 800 hours below 45F; requires 240 frost-free days to set and ripen fruit.
DISEASE RESISTANCE: Very good. If cold kills the vines, they can re-sprout from their own roots the following year.
SIZE AT MATURITY: 24' x 15' unpruned
