Hardy Kiwi
Actinidia arguta

Family: Actinidiaceae

What it is like

A vine up to 15-20 m long. It loses its leaves during the year. Leaves are elongated or heart-shaped and 5-13 cm long. They are light green and have toothed edges. They are attached to the stem by red petioles. The leaves turn rich golden colour in autumn. The fruit are green and 2-3 cm long. The skin is green. It has few hairs. Male and female plants are borne on separate plants. Both are needed for fruit production. Flowers are about 1 cm across. Fruit are dull green and lime-green flesh. They are edible.

The fruit contains up to 5 times the vitamin C content of blackcurrants. There are 62 Actinidia species. The Actinidiaceae are a mainly tropical family.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It needs 150 frost free days. During the dormant period is can withstand heavy frosts. All selections need a chilling requirement to flower and fruit. They prefer a sunny position. It needs protection from strong winds. They need a well drained somewhat acid (pH 5-6.5) soil. The plants will not tolerate salty soils. They need plenty of water during the growing season. It occurs naturally climbing up trees in woodland at elevations of 100 - 2000 metres in China and Japan. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Manchuria, New Zealand, North America, North Korea, Poland, Russia, Siberia, Taiwan, Tibet, USA

How it is used for food

The sap of the vine can be tapped and drunk in the spring. The fruit are eaten raw or cooked. They can be eaten whole without peeling. The dried leaves are used for seasoning vegetable dishes.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, sap, vegetable

How it is grown

The plants need a trellis to climb over. Plants benefit from being well mulched but mulch should not touch the vine. Winter pruning is important. Cuttings can be used. Soft wood cuttings are used.

Fruit are produced on second year wood and on fruit spurs on older wood. Plants produce fruit after 4 years on grafted vines. They are best ripened on the vine but have shorter shelf life.

Its other names

Local names

Bower actinidia, Bower vine, Chamdarae, Cocktail kiwi, Darae, Dessert kiwi, Kokuwa, Sarunashi, Siberian gooseberry, Tara Vine, Tarae, Vine-pear, Yang-tao

Synonyms

Trochostigma argutum Siebold & Zucc.; Actinidia megalocarpa (Nakai.); Trochostigma arguta (Siebold. & Zucc.);