Plant guide:ðŸĨ Kiwi
Back to Plant Clinic
⚠ Minor
ðŸĐš
Light

Sunscald on Kiwi Fruit

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

A pale, hardened patch develops on the sun-facing side of the fruit, especially after sudden exposure from pruning or storm-damaged foliage.

Potential Causes

  1. 1Sudden exposure to intense sun after over-pruning removed sheltering leaves
  2. 2Storm or wind damage stripping foliage that was shading fruit
  3. 3A heatwave following cooler, cloudier weather

Solution Steps

  1. 1Prune gradually rather than removing large amounts of canopy at once
  2. 2Maintain adequate leaf cover over developing fruit clusters
  3. 3Provide shade cloth during extreme heat events if fruit is exposed
  4. 4Harvest affected fruit promptly since scald increases rot risk

Prevention Tip

Kiwi fruit relies on its own leaf canopy for shade — pruning gradually keeps enough cover in place to prevent sunscald.

More Light Issues Problems

See all →
Sun Scorch & Leaf Bleaching — Photooxidative Damage — calathea plant care

Sun Scorch & Leaf Bleaching — Photooxidative Damage

LED Grow Light Burn — Bleaching & Necrosis from Artificial Light — monstera plant care

LED Grow Light Burn — Bleaching & Necrosis from Artificial Light

Pale bleached Pothos leaves from direct sun exposure

Pothos Pale Washed-Out Leaves — Sun Bleaching from Direct Exposure

Fiddle Leaf Fig sunburn — bleached patches from direct sun on Ficus lyrata

Fiddle Leaf Fig Sunburn — Bleached Patches from Direct Sun Exposure

See how growers dealt with this →
Track this problem in your grow diary