Kiwi Problems
Actinidia deliciosa / A. chinensis
Kiwi vines are long-lived, vigorous climbers that need a strong support structure, both a male and female plant to fruit, and patience — it can take 3-4 years before the first real harvest. Bacterial canker is the disease every kiwi grower should watch for.
All Kiwi Problems
⚠ CriticalKiwi — Bacterial Canker (Psa) on Kiwi Vines
Reddish-brown, angular leaf spots with yellow halos appear, along with cane cankers that ooze a rust-red bacterial exudate, and entire canes or the whole vine can collapse in severe cases.
⚠ CriticalKiwi — Root Rot in Kiwi Vines
The vine wilts and declines despite adequate watering, with roots appearing brown, soft, and mushy rather than firm and white when checked.
⚠ ModerateKiwi — Botrytis Grey Mould on Kiwi Fruit
A fuzzy grey mould develops on fruit, often starting at the stem end, spreading rapidly especially on fruit in storage or during cool, humid weather near harvest.
⚠ ModerateKiwi Vine Not Setting Fruit
The vine flowers but produces no fruit, or only a handful of small, poorly-formed fruit despite abundant blossom.
⚠ MinorKiwi — Sunscald on Kiwi Fruit
A pale, hardened patch develops on the sun-facing side of the fruit, especially after sudden exposure from pruning or storm-damaged foliage.
⚠ ModerateKiwi — Winter Cold Damage on Kiwi Vines
New growth emerging in spring is blackened or dies back after a late frost, and severe winter cold can kill entire canes or damage the main trunk.
⚠ MinorKiwi — Leaf Roller Caterpillars on Kiwi Vines
Leaves are rolled or webbed together with caterpillars feeding inside, leaving ragged holes and sometimes damaging young fruit that touches rolled leaves.
⚠ MinorKiwi — Scale Insects on Kiwi Vines
Small, immobile brown or grey bumps attach to canes and leaf undersides, secreting honeydew and weakening the vine over time.
⚠ MinorKiwi — Aphids on Kiwi Vines
Clusters of small soft-bodied insects gather on new shoots and leaf undersides, leaving sticky honeydew and causing curling of affected foliage.
⚠ ModerateKiwi — Spider Mites on Kiwi Leaves
Fine yellow stippling spreads across leaves, with webbing visible in heavier infestations during hot, dry weather.
⚠ MinorKiwi — Iron Deficiency Chlorosis in Kiwi Vines
New leaves turn yellow with distinctly green veins, an interveinal chlorosis pattern, most common in alkaline or heavily limed soil.
⚠ ModerateKiwi — Vine Dieback on Kiwi Plants
Sections of vine or entire canes turn brown and die back, sometimes progressing toward the main trunk, while healthy growth continues elsewhere.
⚠ MinorKiwi — Slow Establishment in Newly Planted Kiwi Vines
A newly planted vine grows very slowly or barely at all in its first season or two, showing minimal new growth compared to expectations.
⚠ ModerateKiwi — Powdery Mildew on Kiwi Leaves
A white powdery coating develops on leaf surfaces, particularly in humid conditions with poor airflow through a dense canopy.
⚠ ModerateKiwi Fruit Dropping Before Ripening
Fruit falls from the vine while still small and hard, sometimes in noticeable quantity, well before the normal autumn harvest window.
⚠ MinorKiwi — Wind Damage to Kiwi Vines
Vines tear loose from their trellis or canes break during strong wind, sometimes damaging developing fruit clusters.
⚠ MinorKiwi — Excessive Vine Growth But No Fruiting
The vine grows extremely vigorously with lush foliage covering the trellis, but produces little to no fruit despite reaching a mature size.
⚠ ModerateKiwi — Root-Knot Nematodes on Kiwi Vines
The vine shows general decline and reduced vigour despite adequate care. Roots, when examined, show small knotted galls along their length.
⚠ MinorKiwi — Splitting Fruit on Kiwi Vines
Cracks appear on the fruit's skin, typically during rapid growth phases, especially after inconsistent watering.
⚠ MinorKiwi — Leaf Spot on Kiwi Vines
Small, circular brown spots scatter across leaves, sometimes merging into larger dead patches in humid conditions, causing premature leaf drop.
⚠ ModerateKiwi — Frost Damage to New Kiwi Growth
Tender new shoots and leaves blacken and wilt after a late spring frost, while older, hardened growth remains unaffected.
Kiwi Care Guide
Light, watering, humidity, fertilising, repotting and propagation — everything you need to keep your Kiwi thriving.
Full care guide →See how growers fixed these problems
Browse real Kiwi grow diaries from the community — treatments, timelines, and results.
Browse community diaries →Common Kiwi Questions
Why does my kiwi vine flower but never set fruit?
Reddish-brown, angular leaf spots with yellow halos appear, along with cane cankers that ooze a rust-red bacterial exudate, and entire canes or the whole vine can collapse in sever… Read the full guide →
What is bacterial canker on kiwi vines?
The vine wilts and declines despite adequate watering, with roots appearing brown, soft, and mushy rather than firm and white when checked.… Read the full guide →
Do I need a male and female kiwi plant to get fruit?
A fuzzy grey mould develops on fruit, often starting at the stem end, spreading rapidly especially on fruit in storage or during cool, humid weather near harvest.… Read the full guide →
How do I protect kiwi vines from winter cold?
The vine flowers but produces no fruit, or only a handful of small, poorly-formed fruit despite abundant blossom.… Read the full guide →
