Kiwi (male)

Today's the day ........................... for desperate measures

For many years, I have blipped a picture of our kiwi fruit plant at some point and voiced the hope that maybe this  year it would actually produce some kiwi fruit.

It's a very healthy plant that grows several inches every day and wraps itself round a trellis.  When we bought it, we were told that it was bi-sexual and it would pollinate itself.  And it's always covered in lovely waxy yellow flowers that get us very excited - but always to no avail - because we have never had any kiwi fruit whatsoever. 

Last year when we were in southeast France with our good friends, Marc and Marie Claire, we couldn't help admiring the kiwi plant in their garden which was laden with fruit.  We showed them pictures of our blossom and after a lengthy discussion, we came to the conclusion that our plant was desperately in need of a male.  Marc kindly found us a rooted cutting which we transported back via Eurostar (much to the amusement of the Customs official). 

It has been lying dormant all winter - but much to our delight it now has some healthy-looking leaves.  I planted it next to our kiwi today - so keep your fingers crossed that they take a liking to each other .........................