Actinidia x fairchildii
Rehder
gbif· cc0
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Summary
A deciduous climbing vine reaching 10 m. Frost tender with preference for moist soil conditions. Dioecious hybrid requiring both male and female plants for reproduction. Accepts light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acid to basic pH levels. Grows satisfactorily in semi-shade or full sun.
Description
A deciduous climbing vine reaching 10 m. Frost tender with preference for moist soil conditions. Dioecious hybrid requiring both male and female plants for reproduction. Accepts light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acid to basic pH levels. Grows satisfactorily in semi-shade or full sun.
Edible Uses
The fruit is edible raw or cooked. It contains several small seeds, which are soft enough to eat along with the flesh without any trouble.
Traditional Uses
The fruit are eaten raw or cooked.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
A modern hybrid with no known native range.
Cultivation
Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production. Prefers a sheltered position. The dormant plant is hardy to at least -10°c, though the 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 the only recorded hybrid in the genus, it is intermediate between its parents, A. arguta and A. deliciosa. There is at least one named variety. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse, ideally after 3 months of stratification. Alternatively, sow in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe in November or upon receipt. Fresh seed germinates in 2–3 months at 10°c; stored seed may take longer. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle, and grow on in light shade in the greenhouse through at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, once plants reach 30cm or more. Note that most seedlings are 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 in a frame. Half-ripe cuttings taken in July/August in a frame give a very high success rate. Ripe wood cuttings can also be taken in October/November in a frame.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are 40-60 Actinidia species. The Actinidiaceae are a mainly tropical family.
Synonyms
References (3)
- J. Arnold Arbor. 20:421. 1939
- Lyle, S., 2006, Discovering fruit and nuts. Land Links. p 51
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
