- 1). Tie the main shoot of the young kiwifruit plant loosely to the central post of the trellis. Trim off lateral branches that form flush to the main shoot using a pair of pruning shears.
- 2). Pinch off the tip of the main shoot when it reaches the wires at the top of the trellis system. Pinching causes the shoot to branch at this point.
- 3). Guide the two branches from the top of the shoot in opposite directions along the top of the trellis wire. Tie these branches loosely in place.
- 4). Trim the lateral shoots that form on the two branches so they are spaced 24 inches apart along the length of each branch. Drape the remaining lateral shoots over the trellis wires.
- 5). Cut out vines that wind around other vines or the trellis beginning in the third year after planting. Remove these where they join to a main branch.
- 6). Prune back the lateral shoots in late winter when the kiwi vine is dormant. Trim these back to within 1/4 inch of the first bud on the lateral shoot.
- 7). Remove the lateral completely once it has produced two seasons of fruit, as it is no longer productive. Cut it off where it joins the main branch and allow a new lateral to grow along the branch to take its place.
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