Plant guide:ðŸĨ Kiwi
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Growth

Frost Damage to New Kiwi Growth

Commonly affects: Actinidia deliciosa, A. chinensis (Kiwi)

Tender new shoots and leaves blacken and wilt after a late spring frost, while older, hardened growth remains unaffected.

Potential Causes

  1. 1A late spring frost catching tender new growth that emerged early in a mild spell
  2. 2Vines in low-lying frost pockets being more exposed to cold air settling
  3. 3New growth stimulated too early by premature warm weather

Solution Steps

  1. 1Cover vines with frost cloth when a late frost is forecast after new growth has emerged
  2. 2Avoid planting in known frost pockets where cold air collects
  3. 3Delay any fertilising that might stimulate overly early growth in marginal climates
  4. 4Prune out blackened growth once the danger of further frost has passed — the vine typically resprouts

Prevention Tip

Frost cloth thrown over vines ahead of a forecast late frost is a simple, effective way to protect vulnerable new spring growth.

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