The Actinidia deliciosa ( Green Kiwifruit ) is a deciduous climbing vine. This green fuzzy species is the one we most commonly see at the supermarket. The fruit is the national fruit of China, the country to which it is native. The fruit was named by a New Zealand company after their national bird, the ‘kiwi’. Apparently because it is furry and brown, like the bird. New Zealand’s kiwi fruit industry began in 1904 when a school teacher, Isabel Fraser who was visiting China, brought back some seeds that were grown. From this humble beginning the NZ became the biggest producer of fruit and plants of the kiwi fruit until 2006. The most cultivated variety in the world, the ‘Hayward’ was developed in New Zealand. Growth Actinidia deliciosa is quite a fast-growing vine and is great for growing over structures like an arbor or up some trellis. It averages around 5-9 metres in growth but if left can cover larger areas over time. It has small fragrant flowers and plants are dioecious, meaning both male and female plants are separate. Both sexes are needed within approximately a 10-metre radius of each other for fruiting to occur. The plants gender is unknown until the plants begin to flower. One male plant can pollinate up to 8 females. The fruits flesh is bright green and tasty and grows to around 6 cm in length. Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record. FAMILY: Actinidiaceae CLIMATE: Cold, Temperate, Sub Tropical TEMPERATURE RANGE: -12 to 40°C / 10 to 104°F SOIL TYPE: Well-draining moist, slightly acidic soil LOCATION: Full Sun preferred but will tolerate Part Shade. Will fruit more vigorously in full sun. HEIGHT: approximately 9 metres (30 feet) but is noted to grow as large as 15 metres. WIDTH: Up to 6 metres (20 feet) pH: 4.5-6.0, will cope in more neutral soils but may develop Chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) GROWTH TYPE: Fast growing, Deciduous, Climbing Woody Vine WATER REQUIREMENTS: Medium POLLINATION: Bee Pollinated – Dioecious. MATURITY: 3-5 years GERMINATION RATES: 80% GERMINATION TIME: 3 months cold stratification, 3-4 weeks germination post sowing dependent on conditions. GERMINATION DIFFICULTY: Medium SEEDS PER GRAM: Approximately 180 MEDICINAL QUALITIES: Yes WEED POTENTIAL: No EDIBLE: Yes, fruit. SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY: Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2 years. FACTS ABOUT ACTINIDIA DELICIOSA (Green Kiwi Fruit) In 2006, Italy surpassed New Zealand as the world’s largest producer of Kiwi Fruit. After Kiwi Fruit plants mature, the vine can continue to produce fruit for around 50 years.
