Issai Hardy Kiwi Vine

Yes, that is a benefit of growing the self-pollinating Issai: It can also serve as a pollinator for female kiwiberry vines.

In the past I have had the hardy kiwi and they act like a grape vine. It may take up to 5 yrs old to produce fruit. Mine was like that and once it started producing, they were not only plentiful but very sweet.Warning:::: I had to prune several times during the summer they grow fast and where the new vines grow it does not produce fruit just like a grape vine, but they are worth it.

there are a lot of good online resources that will help with this question. In short Kiwi Berries should be grown to develop a bi directional curtain (sometimes referred to online as a curtain of diminishing returns). a main trunk should be developed (I am training mine to a 6ft high trunk) with two main cordons branching off in both direction. From these cordons will grow your fruiting canes that need to be pruned each year. These fruiting canes will form the curtain that should be supported by a wire 2ft away from the cordon and running parallel to the cordon. The curtain should be pruned in the summer to keep it off the ground.

Isaai will set fruit without a male pollinator, but will do better with one nearby. Anna requires a male pollinator. These two varieties will not pollinate one another because they're both female. We recommend the Hardy Kiwi Pollinator for best results from either tree:

http://www.starkbros.com/products/berry-plants/kiwi-berry-vines/hardy-kiwi-pollinator

I planted 6 of them over the course of two years. None of them made it. I quit trying, I don't think there is anything hardy about them here in Kansas City.

I wouldn't recommend it. Once mature and productive, these vines become quite heavy. Also, the deer would likely devour it in no time. Oregon State University has a very extensive and helpful growing guide in a free .pdf online. Google "OSU kiwi" and it'll pop right up. Hope this helps.

do not trim. in orchards we have observed them growing together forming a trunk that becomes an umbrella above you so that you can pick them from underneath.

No, the Issai Hardy Kiwi will not pollinate another female variety. However, if you add a female and a male, of another Hardy Kiwi variety, it will increase the production of the Issai Hardy Kiwi. In fact, if you just add a male Hardy Kiwi, it'll increase production. But I'd add both a male and female.

I planted mine in the berry patch, Oct 2016, zone 6A. It was about 3" tall. Now, it about 15 vines 8' tall, growing up a trellis, The plant is beautiful, and hopefully will begin to produce fruit next year. It is certainly not a tree!

I am very sorry - I can't answer because mine died very soon after planting. I do know they require a very strong trellis - something that can support more weight than a grape vine. I think it would be very difficult to grow this vine in a plantar. If they live, they are trailing and strong. Thanks and best wishes.