Contents:
- Kiwi Berry - silhouette
- Actinidia carnation - fertilization
- Kiwi Berry - cultivation and care
Kiwi Berry - silhouette
Coming from the Far East, Northern Actinidia is a great example of a fruit climber with rich ornamental value. Although this species is not yet widely encountered, its popularity has grown rapidly in recent years due to the unique flavor and nutrient value of the fruit, which resembles the exotic kiwifruit.
There are several varieties of Actinidia carnation available for sale. One of the most interesting new products is the Czech variety 'Vitakola' introduced to the market in 2015 by the CLEMATIS Nursery Source Dobrych Climbers from Pruszków.She was entered last year for the Plant Novelties Competition of the exhibition "Green is Life", where she won a distinction.
Plants start fruiting in 3-4. year of cultivation. To bear the fruit, you need a pollinator, e.g. the Polish variety 'Adam', which creates exceptionally beautiful three-colored leaves. One male plant is enough to pollinate 6-8 female plants growing nearby. Kiwi Berry requires warm, sunny and wind-sheltered locations.Prefers moist but well-drained soils, well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic or neutral.In winter it withstands temperature drops down to about -34 ° C (zone 4), but is sensitive to late May frosts. In periods of drought, plants need to be watered systematically.
Actinidia carnation - fertilization
It is best to start fertilization only in the second year after planting, applying a multi-component mineral fertilizer 2-3 times in a dose from 10 g for young plants to 20 g for older plants. The power supply is carried out from mid-May to the end of June.It is not worth hastening the fertilization date, because the treatment stimulates the plants to grow intensively, exposing young shoots to damage caused by late spring frosts.
To obtain high yielding, actinidia is best planted next to a construction made of wire stretched between posts or by an openwork fence (e.g. by a net) and cut appropriately (but not in spring, because then it "cries" strongly), so that it is vertical the conductor and strong shoots departing horizontally from it.Actinidia bears fruit on 2- and 3-year-old shoots, which after bearing fruit should be removed during pruning in winter, leaving behind shoots.
Kiwi Berry - cultivation and care
'Vitakola' is a female variety with high fertility and frost resistance. The creeper climbs up to 3-4 m high, wrapping its long stems around the supports.The plant looks particularly impressive in May, when the young, lush green leaves partially turn white and then pink, creating a three-color mosaic.
Speckled leaves start appearing in 2nd-3. one year after planting, and the most discoloration is formed on well-lit shoots. The colored stains slowly turn green and fade away over time.In May, single white flowers 1.5-2 cm in diameter develop on the shoots.They have a slight lemon scent.
The fruits are large, oval, 4-4.5 cm long, sometimes slightly flattened, green-yellow, ripen in August, fall when ripe. They are tasty, aromatic and juicy.They contain a number of nutrients, minerals and vitamins valuable for he alth: C, PP, A1, B1, B2.
