Propagating Kiwi

Does anyone have any experience propagating Kiwi (Actinidia arguta) I have a friend that is trying to increase his fruit trees. DO they have to be grafted or can you keep varieties constant from a cutting?

mtntrti: not really I have a kiwi vine that has never bloomed. I lost three of the four I planted so don't know weither it is male or female.
I just copyed what the plant files said.

Sorry - - - - Russ


Family: Actinidiaceae (ak-tin-id-ee-AY-see-ay) (Info)
Genus: Actinidia (ak-tih-NID-ee-uh) (Info)
Species: arguta (ar-GOO-tuh) (Info)
Cultivar: Issai



Category:
Vines and Climbers


Height:
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)


Spacing:
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)


Hardiness:
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4° C (-30° F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6° C (-25° F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8° C (-20° F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1° C (-15° F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3° C (-10° F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5° C (-5° F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7° C (0° F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9° C (5° F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2° C (10° F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4° C (15° F)


Sun Exposure:
Full Sun


Danger:
Unknown - Tell us


Bloom Color:
Purple


Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer


Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Variegated


Other details:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater


Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)


Propagation Methods:
From softwood cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
By grafting


Seed Collecting:
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry s

Cuttings can be rooted, but the success rate is poor. Air-layering is the method most often used as grafting can be difficult as the vines can bleed excessively and can starve grafts.

Tell your friend to bend a stem to the ground, nick it and dust with rooting hormone (after new growth commences in the spring), bury and keep it watered, give it a couple weeks to a month and roots should form. Sever the connection to the mother plant and voila you have a new kiwi to plant whereever you want.



~Chills

I agree, Chills. I haven't had great success with cuttings but layering seems to be the easiest way to prop most of the Kiwis.