It is fun to try and start plants from a fruit you have eaten.
Unfortunately, in this case it's not going to give you the desired results.
The grocery store kiwi needs a warmer climate than yours. The good news is
that there are several hardy kiwis on the market that can do well for you.
Raintree nurseries has some:
http://www.raintreenursery.com/catal...oducttype=ACTI
as does Miller's:
http://www.millernurseries.com/cart....duct_list&c=54
Stark Bros. has the Issai hardy kiwi, which is self-pollinating--you don't
need female/male vines.
http://store.yahoo.com/starkbros/-0235.html
I've grown this one for years. It is an extremely hardy and vigorous vine.
I consider it attractive. I've got it growing on a fence, and it takes a
good deal of pruning each spring to keep it confined to it's allotted space.
Fortunately it blooms on new wood. The berries ripen late in the fall, and
are delicious, although they are not produced in great abundance. It may be
that even though it's self pollinating, it would benefit from a pollinator,
or I could be pruning/growing it incorrectly somehow. I enjoy it for it's
abundant growth, and consider the fruits to be a bonus. Like other hardy
kiwis, they are smooth skinned--no need to peel--and smaller than the
tropical kiwis.

Hope this helps,
Sue

Zone 6, Southcentral PA


"Mark" wrote in message
om...
I know this isn't how one should go about starting new crops, but I
did it anyway:

I bought a kiwi fruit, which was enjoyed by all, and I saved some
seeds.

I have seen kiwi vines growing in fairly temperate climates, but I
have never really looked into growing them myself.

If I get some starters from these seeds, am I likely to have any luck
growing them in my backyard? (USA Zone 6a/b) Is there a version of
kiwi that is hardy enough for my zone?

Thanks,
Mark