How to Tell Male from Female Kiwifruit Trees? The Latest Identification Methods
Kiwifruit flesh is delicate, tastes sweet and sour, and is extremely high in nutritional value, making it a fruit that everyone loves to eat. Although it is delicious, distinguishing male from female plants during cultivation has stumped quite a few growers. Kiwifruit is a dioecious plant, which means it is divided into male and female. Male trees do not bear fruit, so distinguishing male from female when planting is extremely important. So how do you tell them apart? Let's take a look together.
1. Look at the bud eyes
First, look at the bud eyes. The bud eyes of most male kiwifruit trees are rather protruding, while the bud eyes of female trees are sunken. After the female tree blooms, the ovary becomes quite obvious, and after pollination small fruits gradually form, whereas the male tree has no ovary and certainly no small fruits forming.
2. Look at the flowers
Their flowers are the most obviously different part. First, the flowering time differs: male kiwifruit trees generally bloom earlier than female trees, so if you find in the orchard that some trees bloom earlier than the others, then nine times out of ten they are male trees. Then look at the flower buds. Generally speaking, the flower buds of male plants are distributed rather densely, mostly seven or eight growing closely together in one spot, and the buds are relatively small; while the flower buds of female plants appear fewer and more loosely arranged, with only a few buds on a single fruit stalk, and they are somewhat larger. After blooming, male flowers have only stamens, with no stigma in the middle, but a ring of pollen around the edge; while female flowers not only have stamens but also a stigma in the middle for fertilization.
3. Look at the bark
Their bark also differs somewhat. The bark of male kiwifruit trees is rather rough, with fairly obvious spots on the bark, and the lenticels that form are generally round. In contrast, the bark of female kiwifruit trees is relatively smooth, and the lenticels on the surface are generally elongated. When distinguishing them, you just need to feel the bark and then carefully observe the lenticels to tell them apart well.
4. Look at the fruit
Male and female kiwifruit trees have a clear division of labor. Male trees do not bear fruit; they only produce pollen, while female trees are responsible for bearing fruit, but without the pollen from male trees they cannot bear fruit on their own either. So when fruiting, you can tell at a glance which is male and which is female. At this point you just need to mark them well, and there will be no confusion in the future.
The above is an introduction to how to tell male from female kiwifruit trees. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.