Smaller fruits than fuzzy kiwi, hardy kiwis have sweeter, smooth skinned fruits and much earlier ripening. Ananasnaya produces fruit in large clusters of "kiwi berries." Vigorous growth with pretty, fragrant flowers. Sun or shade tolerant. Needs a Male hardy kiwi for pollination. Hardy to -25° F.
ZONE: 4-9
POLLINATION/BLOOM TIME: Male will provide hundreds of showy white blooms with fluffy yellow stamens over 2-3 weeks in April/May; female flowers have thin white stamens (no pollen on them) by comparison.
RECOMMENDED GROWING AND CARE:
Full to 1/3 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 supplement 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. Mid-late season ripening, about 1 month before fuzzy kiwis. Unripe, they will hold for 2 months in cooler; when ripened, 3 weeks. Check vines starting early Sept for soft fruit - when you find one soft, pick all fruit to avoid wild animals harvesting your yield. Fruit will continue to ripen after being picked off vine.
CHILL HOURS: 800 hours below 45F. Needs 210 frost-free days to ripen.
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
