The secret to obtaining large, juicy and sweet kiwi is all in pruning. If you want a productive and luxuriant plant, you need to know the right time and the best technique for cutting branches.
Many inexperienced farmers neglect this practice, risking to obtain small and not very tasty fruits. Il kiwiin fact, is a plant climbing and dioeciouswhich means that to fruitful it needs both male and female plants. Each plant has specific needs, and incorrect pruning can compromise the entire production. Pruning not only helps to improve the quality of the fruits, but also makes the plant stronger and resistant.
Also, it is not enough to cut at random: you have to know when to intervene e How to perform cuts correctly. A plant pruned carefully will produce More flowers, more fruits and more sugars. But what is the Best time to prune the kiwi? And how to perform the Production pruning To get perfect fruits? Discover everything in this practical guide!
Kiwi pruning period: when to intervene to have perfect fruits
To get quality kiwiyou must know that pruning is divided into Two key moments. Winter pruning is carried out Between January and Marchwhen the plant is in vegetative rest. This is the perfect time for Eliminate old branches and shape the plantguaranteeing balanced growth. Summer pruning, however, is practiced in estatewhen the plant is in full business. The goal is thin out the floral buttonsavoiding that the plant disperses its energies on too many fruits.
Each cut has a direct impact on the productivity of the plant. If you can in the wrong period, you risk compromising flowering and fruiting. Remember that the Kiwi fruits on the branches of the previous year, so it is fundamental Leave the best branches.
Kiwi pruning in Pergola: how to give the right shape to the plant
Kiwi is a climbing plant and needs a adequate support to grow in an orderly way. One of the most used techniques in Italy is the double pergotletwhich allows you to obtain Fruits well distributed and easily collectable. To make it, you have to install wooden or metal poles at a distance of about 5-6 meters from each other. On these poles they are fixed horizontal metal threadspositioned about 2 meters from the ground. The structure provides:
- A central thread To support the main branches.
- Four lateral threads To accompany the growth of production branches.
This configuration allows the plant to receive more light and airreducing the risk of diseases and improving the quality of the fruits.
Pruning techniques: how and where to cut to improve production
Good pruning must follow precise rulestaking into account the age of the plant and its needs. Let’s see what these rules are:
- In the early years: immediately after the plant, it is important Select the strongest branch and cut it to about 50-60 cm from Earthleaving only two sprouts to form the side cords.
- On adult plants: pruning must eliminate the weak and unproductive branchesleaving room for the most vigorous ones.
- Green pruning in summer: eliminate i Excess floral buttonsleaving only those necessary to obtain larger and tastier fruits.
Practical tips for perfect pruning from Kiwi
It is necessary perform kiwi pruning in the best way. This is why we see these fundamental precautions below:
- Use sharp and sterilized toolssuch as cessoie and pruning scissors, to avoid damage to the plant.
- Always cut on a healthy gemto encourage the growth of new branches.
- Avoid too drastic cutswhich could weaken the plant.
- Do not prune the permanent cordsbecause the production branches will be born from them.
Following these advice, you will get a strong and productive plant able to give you sweeter, big and juicy kiwi!
Photo © Stock.adobe
FOLLOW CASTLI NEWS ON
