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What is chewing on my kiwi plants? #627359

Asked April 24, 2020, 6:01 PM EDT

I have 3 kiwi plants on a west facing fence. The plant on the left (1st picture) is a mature female plant that has been growing for about 6-8 yrs. In the middle (2nd photo) is a male plant and on the right is a female, both planted last year. Since the middle of April, 5 branches or vines about 2-3ft in length and about 1/4” around have been chewed off. The severed vines were laying on the ground. The 1st 2 pictures show where the vines were. In the 1st picture, the site is about 4ft off the ground. Another vine from the mature plant and the 2 from the male plant were about 15-18” off the ground. This is the first year I have encountered this. Is there anyway to tell what is doing this and if so, what can I do about it. The 3rd picture is view of all 3 plants. Thank you so much for any info you can provide. The yard is located on the San Mateo county coast, about 1/2 mile from the ocean.

San Mateo County California

Expert Response

Thank you for your question. Your state's Extension has an article listing the pests of kiwi, but none would appear to cause this type of damage:  http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/selectnewpest.kiwifruit.html

Although there is some literature indicating that deer will eat about anything, I can find no scientific research on the topic.  I suggest you contact your county Extension office, to see if staff there have other suggestions:  http://cesanmateo.ucanr.edu/About/Contact/

Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 24, 2020, 6:17 PM EDT

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