Artificial Cultivation Techniques and Management Key Points for Hardy Kiwifruit in Mountainous Areas

AbstractCutting propagation: carry out cutting propagation in early June. Cultivation preparation: mainly adopt trellis and pergola systems, and choose slightly acidic soil with high humus content, applying sufficient base fertilizer. Pruning and training: pruning is best done in summer and autumn; in the first 2 years of cultivation, 3 main canes should be developed, and then in the 3rd year, fruiting canes should be developed. Watering and fertilizing: water appropriately according to growth and weather conditions, and apply 2 topdressings in the year of cultivation.

I. Cutting Propagation

1. Softwood cuttings of hardy kiwifruit are taken in early June. Select well-developed new shoots, cut a section with intact tissue as the cutting, each segment about 15cm long, retaining about 3 young buds, remove half of the leaves from the lower part of the cutting, and then cover with plastic film in a greenhouse for propagation.

2. Propagation can also be carried out in the field. Insert the softwood cuttings into a seedbed of fine sandy soil, with a cutting depth of 5-6cm and a spacing of 5cm between each plant and row. Keep the soil moist during this period. Shade the cuttings for the first 5 days before field insertion. Generally, they will survive and take root after 30 days.

II. Cultivation Preparation

1. The cultivation methods mainly adopt trellis and pergola systems. Generally, trellis cultivation is more convenient for management. Hardy kiwifruit prefers to be cultivated in semi-sunny mountainous areas with many stones, loose soil, good drainage, high humus content, and slightly acidic or neutral soil, but clay plots must not be chosen.

2. Before cultivation, the land needs to be prepared to a depth of 25-30cm, with sufficient base fertilizer applied, and then the plants are cultivated on the south side of an east-west oriented trellis, with a plant and row spacing of 2.5×1.5 m.

3. After the hardy kiwifruit has taken root, transplant it. First dig a hole 30cm wide and 35cm deep, place the sapling into the hole, spread out the root system of the hardy kiwifruit, fill soil to half the height of the sapling, press it down gently with your foot, water 2 times to moisten the soil, and then cover with soil.

4. Kiwifruit is mostly dioecious. When cultivating, pay attention to configuring pollinator trees; the ratio of female to male plants is 8:1. Cultivation can be carried out in both spring and autumn.

III. Pruning and Training

1. The branches and leaves of hardy kiwifruit grow vigorously. Pruning and training can increase its yield and lifespan, and also give it better cold resistance.

2. Generally, trellis and pergola training are mainly adopted. Pruning is suitable in summer and autumn. In the first 2 years of cultivation, 3 main canes should be developed, and then in the 3rd year, fruiting canes should be developed. Proper pruning can make the fruiting mother canes on the side canes, as well as the fruiting canes, more evenly distributed, and after 3-4 years of growth the canes can cover the trellis.

IV. Watering and Fertilizing

1. Hardy kiwifruit loves a warm and humid environment. If drought occurs, it will cause the plant to die. Therefore, the soil must neither be droughty nor have excessive standing water. During this period, watering can be combined with fertilizing. Before winter, water to protect against freezing, and water again in spring to promote the growth and development of hardy kiwifruit.

2. When fertilizing, apply shallow applications in small amounts and multiple times. In spring and autumn, base fertilizer can be applied in furrows. Fertilizer needs to be applied 2 times within 1 year. In the 1st year of cultivation, when the young tree sprouts and begins to grow, carry out the 1st topdressing. Quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer urea can be chosen for topdressing. The 2nd fertilization can be in late July, topdressing with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, applying diammonium and 40% potassium sulfate mixed at 2:1. During this period, human feces and urine can also be applied as topdressing to promote cane growth, thereby increasing the yield of hardy kiwifruit.