Kiwi Pollination - How to Promote It?

Growing quality kiwifruit in quantity relies on several essential elements, including successful pollination. As a kiwifruit grower in France, it's crucial to apply optimal techniques while benefiting from the advice of kiwi growing experts to achieve satisfactory results. In this article, we explore in detail the technical strategies and practical tools to improve kiwifruit pollination, as well as the solutions offered by Kiwiverse to support you.

The Basics of Kiwi Pollination

Pollination is a key step in kiwifruit cultivation. Unlike other crops, kiwi flowers are generally dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female plants. For successful fruiting, it is necessary to transfer pollen from male flowers to female flowers.

Why is pollination essential?

• Successful pollination ensures uniform and good quality fruit formation.
• Without proper intervention, the harvest may be compromised by incomplete fruiting or small fruit.
• The synchronization between the flowering of male and female plants is crucial.

The ideal ratio for arranging male and female plants

• Plant 1 male plant for every 5 to 7 female plants to ensure optimal pollination.
• Male plants should be placed in the center or in close proximity to the female plants, approximately 2 meters apart.

Strategies to promote kiwi pollination

1. Introduction of effective pollinators

Pollinators play a vital role in pollen transfer. The goal is to maximize their presence in your orchards.

• Honeybees: Install between 3 and 4 hives per acre or 7 to 8 hives per hectare. Although they are less attracted to kiwi flowers (lack of nectar), they remain the main pollinators.
• Bumblebees: Active even in cool weather, they complement the work of domestic bees.
• Wild Insects: Wild bees, butterflies and other local insects can also contribute significantly.

How to attract more pollinators?

• Plant honey-producing crops around your plots: lavender, phacelia, clover or buckwheat.
• Create flowering hedges with attractive plants such as willow, hawthorn or hazel.
• Preserve wild flora and let the natural edges of plots bloom.

2. Artificialization techniques

Some modern techniques can enhance natural pollination:

• Hand pollination: Ideal for small farms. Harvest the male flowers and rub them over the female flowers. Make two passes at different times to cover the entire flowering period.
• Spraying robots: Using an air-liquid system, they disperse pollen with impressive efficiency.

The advantage of advanced technologies

These techniques make it possible to compensate for climatic variations or the decline in the population of natural pollinators.

Optimizing the environment of kiwifruit orchards

Landscaping to promote biodiversity

A rich and diverse environment encourages the arrival of pollinators while increasing their activity in the orchard.

• Honey-producing cover crops: Phacelia, clover or alfalfa can be grown between rows of kiwi.
• Flower strips: Install flower strips along plots to attract more insects.
• Pollinator Habitat: Create nesting areas with woodpiles, rocks, or sand.

Synchronization of flowering of male and female plants

• Use male and female varieties that flower simultaneously.
• Plan specific interventions to maximize pollination during the days when male pollen is most viable (2 to 3 days after opening).

Technical support from Kiwiverse

1. Supply of professional quality plants and rootstocks

• Wide range of grafted plants, in pots or cells, from specialist nurseries.
• Kiwi rootstocks available at producer prices, with delivery throughout France.

2. Personalized advice to design or optimize your orchard

• Technical studies on the optimal arrangement of plants.
• Planning pollination for optimal production.

3. Responsive sales service

• Quote within 48 hours with free advice.
• Decreasing prices according to volume for large orders.

Kiwifruit Pollination FAQ

What are the best pollinators for kiwis?

Honeybees, bumblebees, and wild bees are the most effective. Bumblebees remain active even in adverse weather conditions.

How many male plants should I plant?

It is recommended to plant one male plant for every 5 to 7 female plants, with a spacing of 2 meters.

Should we favor natural or artificial pollination?

The two approaches are complementary. Efficient natural pollination is ideal, but artificialization techniques can compensate for natural deficiencies.

Can pollination be improved by using neighboring plants?

Yes, growing honey plants like clover or phacelia around the orchard attracts more pollinators.

How to synchronize the flowering of male and female plants?

Choose varieties that flower simultaneously and monitor the periods of female flower receptivity and male pollen viability.

Do you offer personalized advice?

Yes, Kiwiverse offers technical advice tailored to your orchard to ensure optimal pollination and high-quality production.

Conclusion

Kiwi pollination is a key factor in ensuring abundant, high-quality production. By combining proper plant placement, pollinator-attracting techniques, and modern artificialization tools, you can maximize your yields. Kiwiverse, the kiwi farming expert, will guide you every step of the way to ensure your project is a success, from choosing the right plants to managing your orchard.

Contact us now to benefit from our expert advice and order your grafted kiwi plants at producer prices, with careful delivery directly to your plot.