Actinidia

The genus Actinidia (Actinidia) consists of about 40 climbing or climbing shrub-like deciduous lianas. The trunk is from 4 to 50 m long and up to 0.25 m in diameter; the branches are glabrous or pubescent; simple alternate dark green, shiny leaves are often pubescent. The flowers are Cup-shaped, dioecious or polygamous (less often monoecious), white, less often pink and yellow. The fruit is a multi-seeded berry. Chinese Actinidia (Actinidia chinensis) is a common ornamental species. This is a lush climbing plant with large heart-shaped leaves of dark green color. In the period from June to August, rounded creamy-white flowers bloom, in place of which edible fruits of oval shape with green sourish pulp, covered with chestnut fluff, are formed. It is a dioecious plant (male and female flowers are formed on different specimens), and therefore, although fruits are formed only on female plants, pollination is necessary for their appearance. Actinidia kolomikta (A. kolomikta) is a decorative species that has bronze leaves when branched, later they turn green. When flowering, the color disappears in some places, and the leaves are mottled; after flowering, the foliage is pink or crimson. In June, small rounded flowers bloom. Polygamous Actinidia (A. polygama) is a common species with a silvery-white pattern on the ends of the leaves. Male and female flowers can form either on different plants or on the same one; the fruits are bright yellow.

The genus Actinidia (Actinidia) consists of about 40 climbing or climbing shrub-like deciduous lianas. The trunk is from 4 to 50 m long and up to 0.25 m in diameter; the branches are glabrous or pubescent; simple alternate dark green, shiny leaves are often pubescent. The flowers are Cup-shaped, dioecious or polygamous (less often monoecious), white, less often pink and yellow. The fruit is a multi-seeded berry.

Chinese Actinidia (Actinidia chinensis) is a common ornamental species. This is a lush climbing plant with large heart-shaped leaves of dark green color. In the period from June to August, rounded creamy-white flowers bloom, in place of which edible fruits of oval shape with green sourish pulp, covered with chestnut fluff, are formed. It is a dioecious plant (male and female flowers are formed on different specimens), and therefore, although fruits are formed only on female plants, pollination is necessary for their appearance.

Actinidia kolomikta (A. kolomikta) is a decorative species that has bronze leaves when branched, later they turn green. When flowering, the color disappears in some places, and the leaves are mottled; after flowering, the foliage is pink or crimson. In June, small rounded flowers bloom.

Polygamous Actinidia (A. polygama) is a common species with a silvery-white pattern on the ends of the leaves. Male and female flowers can form either on different plants or on the same one; the fruits are bright yellow.

Cultivation

These vines are grown in the open ground to decorate walls, pergolas, pavilions and even the trunks of dried trees. It is better that the landing site is protected from wind and cold. All species - especially at an early stage of development - require top dressing. Much less often Actinidia is grown in pots on balconies and terraces. They are suitable for any slightly acidic and well-drained land, richly filled with organic fertilizers. Chinese Actinidia requires formative pruning for the first 2-3 years in summer, which gives a certain shape (trellis, canopy of plants). Then, regulatory pruning is carried out, taking into account that flowers (and therefore fruits) are formed on the branches of the current year. In winter, the whips are shortened, on which there were fruits in the fall. Plants that will bear fruit next summer should be provided with supports. In addition, too long shoots are pinched.

These vines are grown in the open ground to decorate walls, pergolas, pavilions and even the trunks of dried trees. It is better that the landing site is protected from wind and cold. All species - especially at an early stage of development - require top dressing. Much less often Actinidia is grown in pots on balconies and terraces. They are suitable for any slightly acidic and well-drained land, richly filled with organic fertilizers. Chinese Actinidia requires formative pruning for the first 2-3 years in summer, which gives a certain shape (trellis, canopy of plants). Then, regulatory pruning is carried out, taking into account that flowers (and therefore fruits) are formed on the branches of the current year.

In winter, the whips are shortened, on which there were fruits in the fall. Plants that will bear fruit next summer should be provided with supports. In addition, too long shoots are pinched.

Location

Actinidia is grown in the open sun, as well as in partial shade.

Temperature

Actinidia plants tolerate both high and low frost, but suffer from late frosts.

Watering

Water only in the case of long dry periods, and also water potted plants.

Transplant

Potted crops are transplanted into new containers in the spring, when the roots no longer have enough space in the old container. The new vessel is filled with the same soil that was used earlier.

Care

In the decorative species of Actinidia colomicta, it is enough to remove dry and ugly branches.

Reproduction

The most common method in the culture of the cuttings. Semi-woody cuttings about 10 cm long are selected in the summer from July to August and planted in a mixture of sand and peat. After root formation, the seedlings are placed singly in 10-12-centimeter pots, and finally planted in early spring. You can take lignified (in winter) or green (in early summer) cuttings. Propagate and seeds. Sowing is carried out in seed soil in October-November, in a closed, unheated room. After the seeds germinate and the seedlings get stronger, they are transplanted into pots; and when the plants are well formed, they are finally planted in the next winter.

The most common method in the culture of the cuttings. Semi-woody cuttings about 10 cm long are selected in the summer from July to August and planted in a mixture of sand and peat. After root formation, the seedlings are placed singly in 10-12-centimeter pots, and finally planted in early spring. You can take lignified (in winter) or green (in early summer) cuttings.

Propagate and seeds. Sowing is carried out in seed soil in October-November, in a closed, unheated room. After the seeds germinate and the seedlings get stronger, they are transplanted into pots; and when the plants are well formed, they are finally planted in the next winter.

Diseases

Actinidia is affected by aphids and worms, which weaken the plants by sucking out the SAP. These pests are eliminated with the help of special insecticidal preparations (against aphids and anticoccidial). However, this is possible as long as the plants are small. From mites on the leaves appear yellow specks, which gradually grow and merge. Get rid of treatment with acaricides.

Acquisition

Actinidia chinensis is extremely easy to find in gardening centers, nurseries and large supermarkets at any time of the year. To get fruit, do not forget that you need to purchase male plants (one for 5-10 female plants). Since plants have very fast growth, choose small specimens, making sure that they are completely healthy.