Actinidia chinensis is a hardy deciduous vine that originates from the far east, and is suited to growing up walls, pergolas or trees.
The can grow to a height of 6-7 metres with a spread of 1.2-1.5 metres.
arguta; produces clusters of fragrant, round white flowers with purple anthers, during June and July followed by green-yellow berries.
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chinensis; the Chinese gooseberry, is a vigorous ornamental climber with dark green heart-shaped leaves.
Clusters of round cream-white flowers, appear from June to August, followed by edible egg-shaped fruits.
The fruit has brown hairy skin which easily peels off to reveal juicy green gooseberry-flavored flesh.
kolomikta; is grown for its attractive foliage, the dark green heart-shaped leaves that are marked with pink or white at its tip, small white flowers appear in June.
Cultivation;
Week 10; Cut back wayward growths and generally thin out plants as necessary.
Week 15; Prick out autumn sown seedlings if large enough to handle.
Week 20; To encourage a spreading/bushy habit pinch out the growing points of arguta and chinensis when quite young,
Week 27; Insert 75-100mm (3”-4”) cuttings of half-ripened wood in a 50-50 peat/sand compost mix and place in a cold frame to root.
Alternatively; Place them on a hot bed and mist them at least once daily with clean water.
When rooted pot up into 75-100mm (3”-4”) pots and grow on until planting out time.
Week 40; Sow seeds as soon as they are ripe and place in a cold frame to germinate.
Week 42; Plant out young plants in a sunny or partly shaded position, in well drained non-alkaline soil.
Note; The male and female flowers of chinensis are usually on separate plants; therefore specimens of each sex should be grown near each other to ensure pollination.
