Indeed, my initial encounter with the kiwi farming world has led me to realize how when this little, hairy yet loved by people around the globe, sometimes other places even named it “tufted baby”, fruit has been to the hearts and taste buds of the people of the world.
Kiwi farming is not merely a regular agricultural enterprise, this is an art form that also needs patience, knowledge, and perseverance. In this all encompassing guide, I will lead you to my findings about kiwi breeding, from plant care to the complications of the global kiwi market.
The Kiwi Fruit: A Brief Introduction
What was originally called Yang Tao in China, kiwi fruit has had an amazing journey that took it to different parts of the world from its origin. Now a-days, it’s available in almost every market around the world.
The most common types are the kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) (in the original Chinese fuzzy kiwifruit) and the golden kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis). Both of them have their special characteristics and the cultivation demands can differ among them.
Economic Importance and Global Market Trends
The kiwi farming business is one of the sectors that have seen the most rapid development in the last decades. According to Food and Agriculture Organization, the population of the globe got 4.35 million tonnes of kiwis.
China, Italy and New Zealand are the top three countries where kiwi is produced in the highest volumes. In addition, the world over the awareness of kiwi’ s health benefits multiplied the demand which in turn made it more profitable for farmers globally.
Ideal Climate and Soil Conditions
Kiwi thrives under particular conditions. They have a preference for:
- A temperate climate with mild winter and long, frost free growing seasons.
- Good soil with a pH that ranges from 5.5-6.5.
- The wind not being strong should be avoided.
- Enough sunlight every day (at least 6-8 hours) which is their other need.
Kiwi Plant Care: A Detailed Guide
Watering
Kiwi plants must have keep a stable moisture level in the soil. Water my plants once a week and make sure the soil is wet but not too wet. If a fruit is growing, I will further water it so it can grow better.
Fertilization
Early springtime is when I fertilize my plants with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) and stop then when the new growth starts. For the four to six weeks the plants are growing I add more applications of the fertilizer. It is a critical decision to avoid over-fertilizing as it can cause excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production.
Pest Management
Common pests include leafrollers, scale insects, and mites. I manage pests through the integrated pest management, using a mix of pesticides and biological methods, only when necessary. As a first step in preventing pest infestation, I carry out regular monitoring.
Pruning Techniques
The necessity of Kiwi plants to be pruned is a must. I stick to the following rules:
- Pruning the plant in fall to eradicate the dead or diseased wood and give the plant a form
- Pruning the branches in the summertime is to control overgrowth and get sunlight to reach the lower parts of the canopy
- Providing both, the new growth and the fruiting wood the right amount
Pollination Process
Kiwi plants are dioecious, meaning males and females have separate plants that bear flowers. To ensure that plants pollinate successfully:
- You have to plant one male kiwi for every 6-8 female kiwi in a row.
- Make sure that both male and female kiwis are in the state of flowering at the same time.
- Another effective method might be simply to use pollinating insects (like bees) in the orchard.
Essential Equipment for Kiwi Farming
Important for my successful kiwi farm are:
- The installation of trellises to host vines
- An irrigation system-enacted (drip, or sprinkler)
- Pruning tools/Equipment that include shears, loppers, saws
- Equipment for sprayer with various types of pest and disease control. (this is twice, please review and remove the unnecessary)
- The harvesting tools, namely picking bags, ladders, and crates
Maximizing Yield and Fruit Quality
In addition to the thinning of the fruit clusters, I practice other cultural techniques, such as:
- Monitoring and adjusting irrigation based on the weather conditions
- Runing frost protection when necessary
- Good canopy management for higher light exposure
Common Challenges and Solutions
Moreover, one of the largest sectors in kiwi farming is faced with many challenges. These are some of the problems I solved:
- Frost damage: I use overhead sprinklers and wind machines for frost protection.
- Root rot: I take great care in ensuring good drainage and avoid overwatering.
- Nutrient deficiencies: I do regular testing of the soil and I adjust the application of the fertilizer as needed.
Sustainable and Organic Kiwi Farming
I am an environmentalist who uses those tools that guarantee the:
- Improvement of soil fertility through composting and using organic fertilizers.
- Implementation of biologically based processes for the elimination of pests.
- Reduction of water waste by using efficient irrigation systems.
- Enhancement of biodiversity in the farm.
Post-Harvest Handling and Distribution
One important aspect of kiwi quality is proper post-harvest handling. These are the steps I follow:
- Pick kiwis only when they reach the right aging stage.
- Cool the fruits after their picking, to remove the heat they have from the field.
- Keep the kiwis at +32°F (0°C) with a relative humidity of 90-95% (RH).
- By using controlled atmosphere storage, fruits can be kept for a long time.
- Moreover, in the course of packing and the transportation of fruits, I take care to handle them gently so as to avoid bruising.
Conclusion
Kiwi farming is enriching activity that requires the proper amount of effort and information. You can grow healthy, organic and tasty kiwi that everyone loves by meeting the plant’s basic needs, best practices application, and being up-to-date to the markets trends.
If you are a farmer who has been in this business for years or you are a new trend in the business, I hope this guide will provide you with some useful information on the journey of kiwi farming. Just have a little patience and do not stop learning, they are the keys of mastering the art of kiwi farming.