Kiwi (Actinidia)

[shaneatwell]

Looking for the best kiwi for Southern California. Not much here though I did find the below post from greenman62. Any other thoughts? Is there a real difference between deliciosa and chinensis? Is there a better arguta (hardy kiwi) variety for socal? Some sites say you can't grow them above zone 8, but CRFG page implies otherwise.

Do commercial kiwi cultivars actually produce viable seed? I mean, could one just go down to the store, pick up some kiwifruit  and follow that process? (if they need four months of stratification then surely they can take refrigeration during shipping...)  I had just assumed that, like commercial bananas, they'd been bred to the point of infertility.

If it were possible, even if ones odds of getting a good plant were low, it could still be a way to get a male for pollination since kiwi is monoecious.

i was going to ask this myself.
Kiwi does have seeds
banana from the store do not - im pretty sure.
i dont know if that seed is viable or not?
also, the variety i think is the "Hayward "

 Hayward, does best with a winter rest of 800 hours of chilling (defined as total hours between 32° and 45° F.)

(such as southern California, southern Texas, and Florida), cultivars such as Elmwood, Dexter, Abbott, or Vincent would be more suitable. In very mild winter areas the vines may retain their leaves and fail to flower the following season. Kiwi vines can be successfully grown in large containers.
Seeds from store bought fruit may be planted in the spring
http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/kiwifruit.html

They do need a winter chill in order to produce fruit, so you can’t grow kiwi anywhere warmer than zone 8.
 Different varieties have different temperature requirements, so you should try to buy plants that suit your climate.
http://www.gardeningblog.net/how-to-grow/kiwi/

Fuzzy Female varieties need Fuzzy Males to set fruit
Fuzzy Varieties (Actinidia deliciosa)
http://www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product-category/berry-plants/kiwi/

Vincent Female Kiwi – Low Chill Kiwi!
Even though she’s named Vincent, this is the female fuzzy kiwi looking for Tomuri. She’s a tasty egg-sized fruit, similar to what you are accustomed to buying in the grocery store. Bred for warmer climates, she requires only 100 chill units, and a growing season of 240 frost-free days to sweeten the fruit. Fruit set is most successful when the winter temperature drops below 32, and Vincent is hardy to 10-15 degrees when mature. Can be grown successfully in a large pot if trellised adequately. Harvest in October. Zones 8-9.
http://www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/vincent-kiwi/


How to Grow Kiwi From Store Bought Kiwi Fruit!
http://foodiegardener.com/how-to-grow-kiwi-from-store-bought-kiwi-fruit/

[buddyguygreen]

I bought kens red hardy kiwi, seems like the best choice for southern climates. No fruit yet but growing nicely.

[Delvi83]

They need several chilling hours....but this are hours with 7° C (45° F). Here in Italy is grown in Mediterrean climate also with USDA 9....the problem is that Kiwi likes water and doesn't tolerate wet for too long time with high temperature.

[buddyguygreen]

The way mine are growing and the conditions they need, central florida seems like a perfect place for kiwi. I guess i'll find out how good the reds do here. Anyone fruit kens reds before.