A very exuberant kiwi vine

Question

I am hoping you will be able to help. We have a 40 yr old kiwi vine (flowering but non-fruiting) on the back of our cottage. Although we have managed to keep it in check until now, this year it has definitely won! In spite of fortnightly summer pruning, it grew to a width of 35’ and over the top of the roof. Help!

How hard can we cut it back this winter? If we go into old wood, will it sprout or is it likely to refuse?

In anticipation, thank you.

Judith Lougheed

Answer 1

Kiwi vines are extremely vigorous and I believe they almost always grow back from the roots even with severe pruning. A common technique is to cut back the main stem to 6-7 feet from the roots, and allow two short lateral branches to grow from this stem, then to remove all other growth. Here is more:
http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/mfruit/kiwifruit.html