Plant guide:ðĨ Kiwi
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Vine Dieback on Kiwi Plants
Commonly affects: Actinidia deliciosa, A. chinensis (Kiwi)
Sections of vine or entire canes turn brown and die back, sometimes progressing toward the main trunk, while healthy growth continues elsewhere.
Potential Causes
- 1Bacterial canker (Psa) infection killing affected canes
- 2Winter cold damage to less hardy sections
- 3Root stress (rot or drought) manifesting as canopy dieback
Solution Steps
- 1Check for bacterial canker symptoms (cankers, red ooze) before assuming another cause
- 2Prune back dead sections to healthy tissue using sterilised tools
- 3Check root health if dieback is widespread rather than isolated
- 4Protect vulnerable sections from cold in future winters
Prevention Tip
Always rule out bacterial canker first when kiwi dieback appears, since it's the most serious and most common cause worldwide.
