Actinidias, also known as Chinese gooseberries, are climbers that provide us with fruits rich in vitamin C, known as kiwi. Actinidias are not only wonderful fruit plants, but can also have ornamental functions. Moreover, they are plants that are quite undemanding and resistant to diseases and pests. For these reasons, it is worth trying kiwi cultivation on your plot, especially if you like interesting exotic plants.
Kiwi fruits are a rich source of vitamin C
Fig. freeimages.com
Kiwi - properties
Actiniadia, popularly referred to as kiwi , is a perennial climber with woody shoots.Toothed, green or variegated leaves grow on the shoots in a curved shape and are shed for winter. The flowers are fragrant, cup-shaped, usually white, in clusters arranged along the branches. Kiwi can climb fences and fences, cover pergolas, or climb the trunks of taller trees. Therefore, gardeners more and more often appreciatedecorative properties of kiwiand plant them in gardens not only for fruit.
Kiwi fruitis a fleshy, oval or spherical berry with numerous seeds embedded in the flesh. Depending on the species, the fruit varies in size as well as the color and taste of the flesh. Thenutritional properties of kiwi and the taste of this fruit are appreciated .
Kiwi fruit contains large amounts of vitamin C100 g of fruit contain about 90 mg. This property of kiwi allows to include these fruits in the immune support diet, and since the weight of the kiwi fruit can reach nearly 100g, one large kiwi can satisfy the daily human need for vitamin C.The potassium content in kiwi is slightly lower than that found in bananas, but also worth attention (312 mg of potassium in 100 g of fruit). Kiwi fruit also contains vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, iron and folic acid.
Thanks to the ingredientskiwi fruit has valuable nutritional, slimming and laxative propertiesIt is recommended for reducing blood pressure and has anti-cancer properties. In small amounts (1-2 fruits a day), kiwi can be eaten by diabetics (the glycemic index of kiwi is 50).
Chinese actinidia fruit, i.e. kiwi fruit
Fig. pixabay.com
Kiwis can be eaten raw and are prized for their taste.They are usually peeled and cut, or cut in half and eaten the pulp with a spoon. Although it is rarely practiced, it turns out that the skin of the kiwi is also edible. What's more, it is also a rich source of vitamins!
Good to know!
Raw kiwi fruit contains peptidase (actinidin or papain) that can cause allergies. In particular, eating kiwi fruit should be avoided by people with a known allergy to papaya or pineapples, as there is a very high probability of allergy to kiwi.
Does kiwi fruit in our climate?
Following the appropriate rules of growing actinidia in the garden, we can wait forkiwi fruit in the gardenHowever, it should be remembered that as a rule actinidia are dioecious plants, which means that one plant only develops female flower buds or only male flower buds. It is therefore necessary to plant at least one male and one female variety. If you want to grow more of these climbers, then there must be at least one male for 8 females. If there is no room to plant several plants, choose a double-sex, self-pollinating variety.
Remember!Most kiwis are dioecious plants. In order for them to bear fruit, it is necessary to plant both the female and male varieties. If you only want to plant one plant, choose a self-pollinating variety.
Kiwi, Actinidia - species and varieties
For cultivation in our climate, mainly Kiwi Berry and Black Actinidia are suitableBoth of these species are frost-resistant enough, but they give smaller fruit than typical kiwi. Hence the often used name of mini kiwi. Fruits known to us from vegetable stores come from Chinese actinidia, which unfortunately tolerates our climatic conditions worse.
Kiwi Berry (Actinidia arguta)Kiwi Berryis a climber that grows up to several meters (annual increments up to 2 m). The shoots are covered with thick, egg-shaped, glossy leaves, which change color attractively in autumn. Small white flowers appear from May, while the fruits develop from female flowers, ripen from September and remain on the shoots until the end of November.
Actinidia fruits 'Issai'
Fig. depositphotos.com
Kiwi fruittaste similar to traditional kiwi, but smaller in size (2 to 3 cm long, weight up to 10 g) and not suitable for storage. However, they are perfect for salads and cakes.
These actinidias first bear fruit in the 3rd or 4th year after planting , and one plant can produce up to 15 kg of fruit. The most frost-resistant are the cultivars 'Weiki' (frost resistance zone 5A) and 'Jumbo' (zone 5B), the self-pollinating variety 'Issai' (zone 6B) is suitable for cultivation in many regions of Poland, while the cultivar 'Ken's Red' is slightly worse. '(zone 7).
Varieties of Acute actinidia :
- Female varieties- Geneva, Rogów, Jumbo, Ken's Red - these varieties bear fruit in the presence of a male variety,
- Male varieties (not fruitful) : Gibrida M,
- Double-sex (self-pollinating) strains : Issai.
Fruits of Actinidia kolomikta
Fig. pixabay.com
Actinidia kolomikta (Actinidia kolomikta)
Kiwi Berryis a climber growing slightly weaker than Kiwi Berry (shoots up to 5 m long), but more resistant to frost. It is a plant with interesting, multi-colored, green-white-pink leaves (male specimens are best colored and planted in a sunny position) and edible, elongated, greenish or yellow berries resembling gooseberries. The fruits are found on female or bisexual plants, weighing from 1.5 to 4 g. Fruits of this species ripen in August. They should be harvested before they are fully ripe, as ripe Kiwi fruit fall quickly and deteriorate easily.
We recommend!
The most useful in amateur cultivation isActinidia spiny 'Dr Szymanowski' , also known as variegated kiwi .It is bisexual and self-pollinating, bearing fruit from the 4th or 5th year after planting. Up to 15 kg of fruit can be harvested from one plant. Thanks to its high frost resistance (zone 4), it can be grown all over Poland.
Chinese actinidia (Actinidia chinensis)
Chinese actinidiais a climber up to 10 m high, in the second half of summer it produces white flowers 4 cm in diameter, heart-shaped leaves with red-brown hairs, it is this species that gives us the well-known, brown and hairy kiwi fruit with the above-mentioned he alth properties and valued taste qualities. However, it is not hardy enough to grow in gardens in our climate.
Chinese kiwi fruit - Actinidia chinensis
Fig. freeimages.com
Growing kiwi in the garden
Before you read about the conditions ofActinidia cultivation , be sure to get a word of comment. In different sources, you can find quite different recommendations forkiwi cultivation This is perhaps due to the fact that many of the books available are translations from foreign authors, without taking into account the different requirements of plants in our climate. Therefore, in this study, in disputes, I relied on the information written in the Działkowiec monthly, treating it as the most competent source of information on the cultivation of plants in the conditions prevailing in our gardens. But let's get to the point.
Female flowers of Actinidia arguta
Fig. depositphotos.com
Kiwi cultivation siteActinidia you should provide a warm and sunny position. These plants require fertile, light and well-drained (but not drying) soil, with a pH of 5 to 6.5. Due to its decorative value, kiwifruit should be planted in well-exposed places, near terraces, pergolas or sunny walls of buildings. You can also let go of the old tree with its crown set high.
Planting kiwi
For planting, it is best to purchase 2 or 3-year-oldActinidia seedlingsThe place of planting must be enriched with organic fertilizer (e.g. compost), and after planting, cover the base of the plant with pine bark. You should also provide the plant with a support at least 1.5 m high.
Watering, fertilizing the kiwi
These plants are sensitive to droughts, therefore, during periods free from rainfall, do not forget to regularlywater the kiwiFrom the second year after planting, feed the plant with nitrogen-rich fertilizer. One plant requires a dose of 30 g of nitrogen, which is best given in 3 equal doses from April to June. We increase nitrogen doses with the age and growth of the plant (eventually to about 150 g of nitrogen in the fifth year after planting).
Actinidia leaves
Fig. depositphotos.com
How to trim a kiwi?
If Actinidia is to be primarily decorative in your garden, so that it does not grow too much, you can trim too long shoots.However, if you want to harvest a lot of fruit, specialcutting and guiding of the kiwi will be necessary
In order for the kiwi grown in the garden to bear fruit abundantly , you must prune take into account that the fruit gives 2 and 3 years old shoots, and flower buds most often develop at the 7-8 leaf of last year's growth. In the period from January to February, shorten the strongest side shoots by 8 to 10 (these will grow into fruiting shoots the following year). Cut 30% to as much as 70% of fruiting shoots next winter, leaving new branches at their base. In summer, however, remove the shoots that thicken the shrub too much.
Become confident in pruning fruit plants
"If you are unsure how to make a cut or are just afraid to do it, the fantastic book "Cutting School 2" ontrimming fruit trees and shrubs
This is the second part of the best-selling book "Cutting School", in which the authors Lucyna and Alicja Grabowskieexplained in a simple and clear way the secrets of cuttingornamental plants.The first book The School of Cutting for its simple language and clear, accurate drawings was loved by garden owners all over Poland.The book quickly became a bestseller- 20,000 copies sold! "
"Cutting School 2" will make youconfident in pruning fruit trees and shrubsand learn to cut plants so that they grow according to your expectations and bear fruit abundantly. After reading this book, your approach to pruning plants will probably change completely!
The easiest way to multiply actinidiais through the horizontal layers made in winter. In July and August, you can also take herbaceous cuttings with three leaves and root them in a tunnel under partial shade and fogging or sprinkling conditions.
You can also trypropagating kiwi by sowing seedsin spring or in the fall. The seeds do not require stratification, but it is necessary to soak them in warm water for 24-48 hours before sowing.Then,seed the kiwi seeds up to 1 centimeter deep(preferably in a special soil for sowing seeds) and lightly cover with sand or perlite. Place the container with seeds in a bright and warm room with a temperature of 25 ° C. Try to keep the substrate slightly moist but not wet. Now be patient, because it happens thatkiwi seeds sprout even after 3 months
The kiwi seedlings obtained in this waywill be a mixture of female and male plants - their identification will be possible only during the first fruiting. Unfortunately, in the case of plants sown from seeds, you have to wait up to 10 years for the first fruits.
