When is the latest ripening time for kiwifruit?

Kiwifruit is a large deciduous woody vine of the genus Actinidia in the family Actinidiaceae. The fruit is generally elliptical in shape, greenish-brown in early appearance, and reddish-brown when ripe, with the skin covered in dense fine hairs. The texture is soft, the taste is sweet and tart, and it is rich in nutrients. Its flavor has been described as a blend of strawberry, banana, and pineapple. Let us take a look below at when kiwifruit ripens!

When does kiwifruit ripen?

The flowering period of kiwifruit is in June, and the fruit ripening period is from August to October. The berry of kiwifruit is ovate to oblong, with a cross-sectional radius of about 3 cm, densely covered with yellow-brown branched long soft hairs. A ripe fruit is about the size of a duck egg. The dark brown, hairy skin is generally not eaten, while inside is bright green flesh and multiple rows of black seeds. It gets its name because the skin is covered with hairs resembling a macaque.

When is kiwifruit harvested?

The best time to harvest kiwifruit is before 10 a.m., when the temperature has not yet risen, and the fruit must be handled gently during harvesting. The storage life and quality of kiwifruit are greatly affected by its maturity at harvest. Harvesting too early or too late will affect the quality and flavor of the fruit, and it must go through the quality formation stage to fully mature. According to the fruit development period, when the soluble solids content of the fruit is 6-7%, it is the suitable harvest time, while fruit intended for long-term storage is required to reach 7-10%.

What environment is needed to grow kiwifruit?

1. Climate: Kiwifruit tolerates partial shade and prefers cool, humid environments. It fears drought, waterlogging, and wind. It is cold-resistant but not tolerant of early spring frost. It is best to choose areas with a mild climate, sufficient sunlight, abundant rainfall, fairly even precipitation during the growing season, high air humidity, and few early and late frost injuries and freeze injuries.

2. Soil: For growing kiwifruit, deep, fertile soil with good aeration, a groundwater level below 1 m, high organic matter content, and a slightly acidic pH of 5.5-6.5 is suitable. Strongly acidic or alkaline soil needs to be improved before planting.

3. Light: Kiwifruit likes light but fears strong sun, and has a very strong ability to use diffused light. Even growing wrapped around and attached to a large tree is no problem, but it cannot be too heavily shaded. If it is seriously lacking light, the branches will die. In plain terms, it likes sunlight but fears high temperatures.

4. Temperature: Kiwifruit likes warmth. In fact, temperature is the main factor limiting the distribution, growth, and development of kiwifruit. Each species has a suitable temperature range, and beyond this range it grows poorly or cannot survive, but most species require a warm and humid climate.

5. Fertilizer: Kiwifruit likes fertilizer but fears burning. Once it lacks inorganic nutrients, it shows symptoms such as yellowing, small leaves, and stopped growth, but its fleshy root system is also very sensitive to soil salt concentration. In production, the method of applying fertilizer in small amounts many times is required, which can meet nutrient needs without causing fertilizer damage.

6. Water: Kiwifruit likes water but fears waterlogging, but the root system of kiwifruit is a fleshy root with strong respiration and needs a relatively high oxygen content in the soil, that is, necessary soil aeration. Therefore, according to the shifting relationship between soil water and air, it should not be watered too much.