| DESCRIPTION: It is a climbing, deciduous vine (liana). In the forests where it is native it sometimes climbs up to 15-30 m high into trees. It has a more delicate appearance than regular kiwifruit. The fruit is about 2-2.5 cm long and contain a number of small seeds. It is generally green, fuzzless, and the size of grapes. Cut open, it looks much like regular kiwifruit with its small black seeds, emerald green colour, and typical rayed pattern. USE: The fruit can be eaten raw, cooked or dried and the plant can be grown as an ornamental shade plant on a pergola. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: Hardy kiwi, Bower vine, Dessert kiwi, Cocktail kiwi. FURTHER INF: It is native to northern China, Korea, Siberia and possibly Japan. The plants need a long growing season (about 150 frost-free days) which will not be hampered by late winter or early autumn freezes. When fully dormant, they can withstand temperatures to about -30°C. Some cultivars are said to tolerate temperatures down to about -50°C when fully dormant. However they must acclimate to cold slowly and any sudden plunge in temperature may cause trunk splitting and subsequent damage to the vine. It needs a period of winter chilling but late winter freezing temperatures will kill any exposed buds. It can grow in harsher climates than the kiwifruit. It will tolerate some shade but prefer a sunny location where it can ramble across some type of trellising system. Neutral soils are acceptable but the leaves may show nitrogen deficiency when the soils become too basic. |