Kiwi Fruit surely not?

bellathecat_2

My OH put some seeds (slime attached) from a Kiwu fruit into some compost in a small pot on the windowsill. I said "you have no chance of anything happening" I put a lollystick into the pot with Kiwi slime written on it, to be sarcastic.

I am amazed that I am now having to eat humble pie as there are 4 shoots growing nicely, now about 4 ins high.

Are they likely to mature and what shall we do with them?

mcgrow

If they are Kiwi seedlings, then they'll grow into big Kiwi bushes but it will take several years before fruit might appear. I say "might" because Kiwi plants are often either male or female, and you need one of each for fruit. That said, you might be lucky and have one of the self-fertile varieties, in which case you will only need one.

Lotus-eater

Google growing kiwi. The normal plants take up loads of space and you do need a male for every 2 females, for the type you will have from supermarket seeds.
Honestly, not worth thinking about doing, not unless you have a huge garden and you can just leave them to get on with it.
They don't grow as bushes, but as huge vines, so you need somewhere to hang them off.

cjb02

this is my page on my website on how I grew kiwi seeds from supermarket bought fruit .. click here

Are they worth growing, imo ... YES. they make beautiful plant with great foliage. On mine the leaves are heart shaped, dark green in colour with striking red branches/stem, the plant in general is hairy.

things to know though.

Plants from seeds are male or female. to get fruit you need one of each
Plants take several years to fruit and you need a male and female... internet sites suggest 3-7yrs before fruit... I dont know
They are vines and grow quickly and large if not pruned/trimmed.... I use mine to cover a side of the garage and I want it to grow over the roof to.
Your plants will be unique, the seedling will be similar to the mother plant but not identical
The vines are hardy to around -30c, so ideal for the UK climate.

Good luck and enjoy.

CJB