Kiwi – Yellow Leaves

Q: We planted two kiwi plants at opposite corners of our pergola and they have succeeded in sending vines up and starting to cover it. But we are now noticing that the plant’s leaves are turning yellow and falling off. What’s going on?

A: Kiwi vine is a deciduous plant: it drops its leaves every year, beginning in early fall. I think the yellow leaves might simply be the beginning of normal leaf drop. I’d leave the vines alone until next spring. Pruning them at this time of year makes kiwi vines less winter-hardy.