Actinidia

Actinidia - Kiwi

Actinidia is a genus of espalier plants from China. There are species that are kept for decoration, but the best known are the species with tasty fruits full of vitamins. Most species of Actinidia are dioecious and unisexual. That means that to get fruit, male and female plants are needed. Only the female plants bear fruit. There are also varieties that are self-pollinating, but the yield is less good. Pick the fruits in the fall, before the first frost. The fruit can be allowed to ripen indoors at room temperature. | Actinidia requires a place in the sun and a good fertile soil, preferably calcareous. Actinidia is very hardy as an adult plant, but young plants should certainly be covered at the base during the first few years. Do that, for example, with dead leaves or straw. Older plants like to receive an amount of rotted farmyard manure or compost in the autumn. Extra fertilization in the spring can do no harm. Make sure that Actinidia has a solid construction along which the plants can be guided. In addition to the beautiful fruits, Actinidia also has beautiful leaves.