Green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa)
Green kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa)
Green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) on a branch
Actinidia deliciosa (green kiwi) grown in the ground
Green kiwi flowers (Actinidia deliciosa)
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
The green kiwi, Actinidia deliciosa
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Scientific classification
Family
Actinidiaceae
Type
Kiwi - Actinidia
Species
Kiwi - Actinidia chinensis
'Hayward,' 'Solo,' 'Herma,' 'Monty'… Most of the green kiwis we grow in our gardens are cultivars ofActinidia chinensis var. Deliciosa. Some, known as self-fertile, can produce fruit from a single plant.
How to identify the green kiwi, Actinidia deliciosa?
The green kiwi (Actinidia chinensis var. Deliciosa) is a perennial plant. Its climbing vines can grow over five meters long. Most specimens are five meters tall and have a similar spread. However, some older plants form shrubs that reach ten meters in height.
The sarmentous vines use tendrils to cling to their support. The young brown shoots are also covered with hairs.
The leaves are oval, almost heart-shaped. Dark green in color, they are also covered with a purplish fuzz. The hairs persist on the underside once the leaf blades have reached maturity.
Like the yellow kiwi (Actinidia chinensis var. Chinensis), the green kiwi is a dioecious plant. A single plant produces either male or female flowers. Therefore, two plants are necessary for pollination and fruit set on the female plant. However, there are self-fertile varieties(“Solo,” “Solissimo,” “Herma,” etc.). These cultivars bear both male and female flowers, allowing fruit to be harvested from a single plant.
The flowers bloom from May to June in clusters of three to five. They are white, have six petals, and may turn yellow. Female plants produce larger flowers than male plants.
The fruit is a round berry. It measures up to 6 cm long and can weigh nearly 100 g. The thin, brown, fuzzy skin conceals light green, juicy, and tangy flesh. The white center, from which the rays radiate, contains a multitude of black, edible seeds.
Is the green kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) poisonous?
The plant is not known to be toxic, and its fruit is edible. However, the Kiwi can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. These reactions most often manifest as swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips, as well as digestive problems. Skin irritation may also occur.
Our maintenance tips
Green kiwis They bear their first fruit at two or three years of age. However, only plants that are eight years old or older produce a regular and abundant harvest.
Watering
Let the soil dry on the surface between two applications of water. Water your Green kiwi with non-calcareous water, such as reclaimed rainwater. To avoid water stress, make sure the water is at room temperature.
If you use a saucer or planter, remove any water that stagnates at the bottom. It could rot the roots.
Repotting
Green kiwi is a climbing plant. You should provide a stake or plant it near a support (pergola, wall, arbor, etc.).
If you've chosen a self-fertile variety, a single plant is sufficient. Otherwise, you'll need to plant one male plant and several female plants. A single male plant typically produces enough fruit to pollinate four female Actinidia chinensis var. Deliciosa.
Use a pot with drainage holes that is at least 30 cm in diameter for each plant. You can place clay pellets or small stones at the bottom to improve drainage. Fill the pot with all-purpose potting soil or citrus-specific potting mix. Leave a few centimeters free around the edge to create a watering basin.
Plant your Green kiwi without burying the root collar. Firm the soil and water to encourage root growth.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the growth of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Green kiwis are greedy. Your harvest will be more abundant if you fertilize them with a special strawberry or fruit tree fertilizer.
Harvest
Harvesting begins in summer and lasts until the first frosts.
When the leaves begin to fall and the flesh of the fruit gives slightly when you press it with your fingers, you can harvest it.
Cut the stem above the fruit using a pair of scissors or pruning shears.
You can eat the fruit right after picking it or store it. If storing, place it in a basket or crate and keep it in a cool room at a temperature of about 5 °C.
Pinch
Pinch off the fruit-bearing branches above the fourth leaf following the last cluster of fruit. You can do this by hand or use clean, sharp pruning shears.
Shoots that form during the summer can be pruned back to the second leaf. This final pruning helps the plant focus its resources on ripening the fruit and wood before winter sets in.
Plantation
Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.
If you're planting a self-fertile variety, you can plant a single plant or only self-fertile plants. Otherwise, you must pair male and female Actinidia chinensis var. Deliciosa. A male plant produces enough flowers to pollinate four female plants. Place the male plant in the center and the female plants all around it, at a minimum distance of three meters.
Two weeks before planting, work the soil deeply. Loosen the soil, then remove weeds, stones, and root debris. Add compost or all-purpose potting mix to enrich the soil.
On planting day, soak the root ball of your Actinidia chinensis var. Deliciosa in water. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball. Set up your stake first so you don't damage the root system later.
Plant your Green kiwi, taking care not to bury the root collar, which should be level with the surface. Finally, firm up the soil and water thoroughly to encourage good root establishment.
Cutting
Locate a semi-arched stem. Take a 10-15 cm section with at least 2 or 3 knots. Use a clean, sharp tool such as pruning shears.
Remove half the foliage at the bottom. Reduce the size of the leaves you keep by 50% to limit evapotranspiration.
Fill a pot with potting mix for seedlings and planting. Make a small hole with your finger or a pen. Moisten the soil, for example by misting it. Plant your cutting and gently pat the soil down to ensure it stays in place.
Actinidia chinensis var. Deliciosa cuttings root best under covered conditions. Place your pot in a mini-greenhouse, under a cloche, or cover it with a clear plastic bag.
Place your cuttings in a warm, sunny spot. The temperature should not drop below 20 °C. Ventilate daily to prevent rot and mist the soil with water to keep it moist.
Frequently asked questions
Kiwis are generally harvested from October to November, before the heavy frosts. The fruits are still firm at the time of harvest and then ripen at room temperature. Harvest them when the fruits have reached their full size and give slightly when pressed.
Yes, the kiwi is a fast-growing vine that requires regular pruning. Under the right conditions (rich soil, sunlight, and regular watering), it can grow 2 to 4 meters per year. The first fruits usually appear after 3 to 5 years, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
Plant the kiwi in full sun or light partial shade, in deep, fertile, well-drained, and cool soil. Choose a spot sheltered from cold winds, against a wall or a pergola. Provide a sturdy support, as this vine becomes vigorous over time.
Diseases / Threats
Information
| Lifecycle | Perennial |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Exposures | |
| Substrats | |
| Planting methods |
Open ground In pots In tubs |
| Category | |
| Tags |
Edible fruit Rustic |
| Origin |
East Asia |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 8b (-9.4°C ≤ T° < -6.7°C) |
| Leaf color |
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| Flower colors |
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| Fruit colors |
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