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Growth
Splitting Fruit on Kiwi Vines
Commonly affects: Actinidia deliciosa, A. chinensis (Kiwi)
Cracks appear on the fruit's skin, typically during rapid growth phases, especially after inconsistent watering.
Potential Causes
- 1Inconsistent watering â a dry spell followed by heavy watering or rain causing rapid, uneven expansion
- 2Very rapid growth outpacing the skin's ability to stretch
- 3Overloaded fruit clusters competing for limited water
Solution Steps
- 1Water consistently and evenly throughout fruit development
- 2Mulch to buffer soil moisture swings during hot, dry weather
- 3Thin overloaded fruit clusters to reduce competition for water and nutrients
- 4Harvest split fruit promptly, since it's still usable but prone to rot
Prevention Tip
Even, consistent watering all season is the most effective defence against splitting, particularly during the vine's fastest fruit-growth phase.
