Actinidia (kiwi): planting and care in the open field from seeds at home

In the deciduous forests of Primorye, in the subtropical latitudes of Asia and the island of Java, there is a plant that surprises with bizarre shoots, enchants with the beauty and aroma of white and pink flowers. Actinidia is one of the most ancient cultures, it survived the ice age, therefore it adapted to low temperatures, normally tolerates a sharp cold snap. Knowing the features of planting and caring for actinidia, a tree can be grown in a summer cottage or suburban area.

Botanical description

The name of the shrub liana is translated from Greek as a ray, similarly the columns on the ovary are located.The genus, represented by Actinidia, unites up to 70 species. In the wild, the tree is found in the Himalayas. Clinging to the branches, the vine rises to a height of almost 15 meters. Thin young shoots with a reddish tint are covered with shiny lenticels. Actinidia grows both in greenhouses and greenhouses, looks great in the form of a hedge, but without support it does not reach even 2 meters.

Large creeper leaves are a bit like a heart and differ in that they change color with each season. In spring, they have a yellowish color, in early summer they become green, during flowering, the tips become white, then pink and even crimson. Thanks to this phenomenon, actinidia looks unique. Buds are formed in leaf blades. Some plant species have snow-white corollas, while others have yellow or orange flowers with a delicate aroma.

Actinidia delicacy grew in China, in Europe it began to be cultivated only at the end of the last century. The fruits of such a creeper are sold on the market and are known to everyone as kiwi.

In mid-latitudes, a representative of the family is grown in dachas for decorative purposes, used as a flowering hedge. The fruit of frost-resistant varieties of deciduous vines is small in size, densely covered with hairs, not all fruits are eaten.

How to tell a male from a female plant

Dioecious actinidia has 2 types of flowers. When they first appear, it is possible to determine by structure which sex the tree or shrub belongs to. A significant number of stamens and the absence of a pistil characterizes the male liana, female specimens have it, and bees, wind, and wasps carry pollen to them.

Buds form in the leaf axils of young shoots, actinidia blooms for 10 days, an ovary forms on female plants, which eventually turns into fruits of a yellowish or orange color.

The stamens of flowers of male specimens have the ability to pollinate, it is from them that insects transfer pollen to female plants. To harvest fruits rich in ascorbic acid, you need to plant 2 creeper trees side by side.

Varieties of varieties

Actinidia kolomikta is found in fir and spruce forests of Primorye and Khabarovsk Territory, on the Kuril Islands and in China. Liana reaches a height of 8 meters, tolerates frosts of almost 40 ° C, green leaves turn white in summer, turn pink by autumn. Back in the last century, thanks to the work of Michurin, several varieties of perennial vines appeared. Large and tasty berries delight:

Marmalade;
Waffle;
Grape;
Queen of the garden.

Trees are adapted to temperate climate conditions, feel good in the open field, at a young age they give 3 kg of berries.

Actinidia pineapple arguta will grow 10 meters in height. Green fruits with a blush of brown color appear in the fourth year. They have a sweet and sour taste and a delicate aroma.

In the middle latitudes, gardeners grow:

Vitacolu with cylindrical berries decorated with white stripes.
Dr. Shimanovsky, the fruit combines the flavor of pineapple and apple.
September - pleasing with a good harvest of yellow-green fruits.
Adam - a decorative vine with pink leaves.

Among the gourmet variety of actinidia, Hayward is especially appreciated, the description of the berry attracted the attention of the inhabitants of the Mediterranean. In the south of Europe, in Israel, this variety is cultivated on an industrial scale, the Chinese gooseberry, as it is called, has taken root in the North Caucasus, in the Krasnodar Territory. A monoecious vine with a glossy surface does not require an additional pollinator, the buds are collected in inflorescences up to 6 cm in diameter, large white petals have a pinkish tint. Oval fruits, weighing up to 150 g, are stored for almost 4 months, from 7 to 9 buckets of fruits of a delicate taste are harvested from one tree.

In the middle lane, the liana is grown in a greenhouse and a room with good lighting, although it can withstand frosts of more than 25 degrees, it is cultivated only indoors.

For growing at home

For planting in the room you need to pick up undersized actinidia, which will not take up much space. Liana takes root well in greenhouses, insulated loggias, where the air temperature does not fall below 7 ° C and humidity is kept at the same level.

Chinese actinidia varieties grow normally in a pot or tub:

Bruno;
Abbot;
Heyward;
Monty.

In order for the liana to please with berries, you need to place 2 trees nearby - male and female. After they take root, you have to install supports.

Outdoor

Although actinidia can grow in a pot, a full-fledged crop can be obtained by cultivating an overseas visitor in the garden. In the middle lane, varieties of kolomikta and arguta, bred by Moscow breeders, bear fruit:

Queen of the garden. Rarely sick, does not suffer from insects. Flower buds form in the axils of yellow-green leaves. Up to a kilogram of olive-colored berries, smelling like pineapple, are harvested from the bush.
University. Liana of medium height is resistant to frost, pleases with elongated fruits with delicate pulp and an aroma reminiscent of strawberries. The green skin is adorned with white stripes.
Gourmet. The tree is distinguished by reddish shoots, dark leaves. Sweet berry weighs about 4.5 grams. The variety has been cultivated since the late nineties.

In what areas can actinidia be planted

In the Krasnodar Territory and the North Caucasus, the Chinese liana takes root and bears fruit. In the Sochi Hayward area, Bruno is cultivated on an industrial scale, Tomuri is used for pollination. In central Russia, kolomikta and arguta are planted. In the Moscow region, in the Urals, summer residents grow decorative actinidia and varieties Vaffelnaya, Lakomka, Doctor Shimanovsky, which are adapted to the conditions of the local climate.

Methods of reproduction

It is possible to breed an exotic vine on the site in several ways. The easiest way to do this is when there is already one plant. In the spring, the strongest shoot, located below, is pressed to the ground and sprinkled with soil, leaving the end on the surface.

Shanks

In the last days of July, they resort to a different method of reproduction. At this time, the fruits increase in size, the branches acquire strength. Having chosen the strongest of them, they are shortened to a meter, the ends are placed in water.Shoots must have at least three buds for propagation by green cuttings to be successful.

First, the blanks are placed in a greenhouse, and only then grown in an open area. Gardeners who know how to graft actinidia, after a few years, enjoy sweet and sour fruits.

Seeds

Is there any other way to breed a tropical liana, summer residents who do not have a plant to cut off the shoot are interested in. From the ripened fruits, you need to collect the bones, peel the pulp and dry.

How to grow seedlings

Seeds that are sold in specialized outlets are usually stratified. If the grains are independently harvested from the berries of a subtropical liana, they must be hardened.

Preparing seeds for planting

At the end of autumn, actinidia seeds are soaked for four days, constantly draining water and collecting fresh water in a container with seeds. After drying, they are placed in a box with wet sand, left in the basement, and after 2 months they are transferred to a warm place to germinate.

Soil preparation

Cliana seedlings do not take root in clay soil, do not tolerate stagnant water, love loose soil. Pebbles are placed at the bottom of the box where the bones are placed, which passes moisture well and serves as drainage, fill it with a mixture of soddy soil, humus and sand.

Planting germinated seeds in the ground

When 2 leaves appear on the seedlings, in the soil poured into the container, shallow grooves are made every 5 cm, germinated actinidia seeds should be planted in them very carefully. Liana bushes are sent to a permanent plot in open ground at the age of no more than 2 years.

Necessary conditions for good growth

In order for actinidia to develop, please with flowering and fruits, it is better to choose a place for it on a small hill, the site must be protected from northern winds.

Soil composition

Subtropical liana grows well on fertilized lands with a low level of acidity and on neutral soils, does not take root where water comes close to the surface, does not tolerate lime. When planting actinidia in a hole, a drainage layer must be made.

Temperature conditions

Liana, bred specifically for growing in temperate climates, can withstand frosts up to 40 ° C, but young trees need to be covered for the winter with needles or leaves. Danger for actinidia is negative temperatures in spring, at minus 8 buds die.

Lighting

In the wild, the liana grows in the partial shade of sparse forests. And although, like other subtropical crops, she needs the sun, it is better to protect the tree from direct rays.

Technology and plant care features

In order for actinidia to develop well, to please with fruits, it must be watered, fed, cut.

At home

Liana should be planted on a windowsill facing south or west. The air must be moistened, otherwise actinidia sheds leaves, in the morning and evening the tree is sprayed with warm water. In winter and early spring, you need to make sure that he has enough light.

Open ground

In the middle latitudes, frost-resistant varieties of actinidia are cultivated in the country house and in the garden. To provide the vine with moisture, once a week, 8 buckets of water are poured under each bush, after which the earth is loosened. Fertilizers are applied in the spring, before the appearance of the ovary and in the fall. For foliar dressings use "Aquadon-Micro", "Immunofitofit". In order for the vine to cling to the branches and rise, they put a support, pull the wire. If everything is done correctly, the plant takes on a decorative look.

Greenhouse

In the middle lane, germinated seedlings of actinidia are not transplanted immediately into open ground, and in the northern regions, the liana can only be grown in a heated greenhouse, where constant humidity, high temperature, good lighting are maintained, and top dressing is carried out regularly.

How kiwi reacts to improper care

With a lack of nutrients, which happens in the absence of timely top dressing, the vine grows and develops poorly, and with an excess, and with a lack of moisture, the tree sheds leaves and may die.

When to wait for flowering and fruiting

In order for dioecious actinidia to produce a crop, you need to plant a male and female plant. If you create optimal conditions for development, carefully care for, the vine produces flowers with large petals at the age of 3-4 years. In their place, a green ovary is formed. In autumn, in some dachas, you can see actinidia with small fruits.

Diseases and pests of vines. Ways to deal with them

During a long drought, actinidia growing in the garden is attacked by caterpillars, spider mites that feed on leaf juice gnaw through the peel of berries. Fight them by spraying trees with insecticides. The vine is affected by powdery mildew and anthracnose. To protect actinidia from diseases, they resort to treatment with fungicides - Radomil, Switch, Horus.

You also have to fight against soil pests in the form of the May beetle and scoops, which damage the roots, the Aktara solution is poured into the ground. Roundup herbicides are used to kill weeds.