Plant guide:ðĨ Kiwi
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Growth
Kiwi Fruit Dropping Before Ripening
Commonly affects: Actinidia deliciosa, A. chinensis (Kiwi)
Fruit falls from the vine while still small and hard, sometimes in noticeable quantity, well before the normal autumn harvest window.
Potential Causes
- 1Incomplete pollination leading to underdeveloped fruit the vine aborts
- 2Water stress during fruit development
- 3Overcrowded fruit load that the vine can't support to maturity
- 4Nutrient deficiency weakening fruit retention
Solution Steps
- 1Improve pollination through ensuring both male and female vines are present and encouraging bee activity
- 2Maintain consistent watering through the fruit development period
- 3Thin excessive fruit set if the vine is visibly overloaded relative to its size
- 4Feed with a balanced fertiliser through the growing season
Prevention Tip
Consistent watering and good pollination are the two biggest factors in reducing premature kiwi fruit drop.
