How to make a kiwi graft

Growing Kiwis can be a complete odyssey for those new to the industry. Its variability when cultivated is gigantic, especially from the seeds. Normally rootstocks are used to achieve better growth, or the males are directly grafted onto the females to save space if we only have a few plants. A tremendous mess, and that is why today we will clear up the eternal question of how to do a Kiwi graft correctly.

Kiwi "whip" graft

This type of Kiwi Graft is surely one of the simplest and most popular. We must select a kiwi graft that does not exceed 1.5 centimeters in diameter, using a rootstock of the same size. We select shoots, in the dormant season of the shoots of the previous year. Be careful, we cannot select those that are frozen or damaged, or cold either.

How to Graft a Kiwi

We tie the stems

We tie the selected stems to the cuttings of the graft, and we roll it in a damp paper towel. Finally we refrigerate them (inside a plastic bag), and wait until we want to make the kiwi graft.

We remove the lower part of the stems

Before continuing, we remove the lower part of the stems from the stored kiwi graft. With a cut at the lower end approximately 3-4 centimeters long, at an acute angle of 20-25º. We make a similar cut on the top of the rootstock, so they can sit firmly together.

We finish the graft

Being very careful not to leave any residue, we place the cut sides so that they are in contact. We wrap with tape so that they are smoothly overlapped.

When are Kiwis Grafted?

We select shoots, in the dormant season of the shoots of the previous year. Be careful, we cannot select those that are frozen or damaged, or cold either

How tall should the grafts be?

We must select a kiwi graft that does not exceed 1.5 centimeters in diameter, using a rootstock of the same size.