Actinidia giraldii

Diels

gbif· cc0

President and Fellows of Harvard College

Summary

A deciduous climbing vine reaching 10 meters, frost-tender with flowers appearing May to June and seeds maturing in November. Hermaphroditic with both male and female reproductive organs, pollinated by bees and insects. Tolerates sandy, loamy, or clay soils with mildly acid to basic pH, growing in semi-shade to full sun and thriving in moist soil.

Description

Both male and female flowers occur on the same plant. The fruit is 2.5 cm long.

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Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It is fairly large — up to 2.5cm long — and globose in shape, ripening to greenish-yellow or purple-red. The numerous small seeds within are soft enough to eat along with the flesh.

Traditional Uses

The fruit is eaten raw or cooked.

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Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It grows naturally in Siberian stone pine and broad-leaved forests, especially on north slopes.

Where It Grows

Siberia,

Cultivation

Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production. Prefers a sheltered position. Young spring growth is susceptible to frost damage. Fruits are formed on second year wood and also on fruit spurs on older wood, any pruning is best carried out in the winter. This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc. This species is closely related to and probably no more than a part of A. arguta. It is treated as A. arguta giraldii in the draft Flora of China. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Unlike most members of this genus, this species is hermaphrodite.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse. Three months of stratification is recommended — either sow in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe in November, or stratify as soon as it is received. Fresh seed germinates in 2–3 months at 10°c; stored seed may take longer. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, when plants are 30cm or more tall and after the last expected frosts. Be aware that most seedlings will be male. Keep seedlings well ventilated as they are prone to damping off. Softwood cuttings can be taken as soon as they are ready in spring and rooted in a frame. Half-ripe cuttings taken in July/August root at a very high percentage. Ripe wood cuttings can also be taken in October/November in a frame.