Description

General aspect and origins - Actinidia chinensis syn. Actinidia deliciosa is also known as Chinese gooseberry, Yang-tao in Chinese, kiwifruit or simply kiwi. It is a vigorous decidious vine which is native to China, and that can be up to 30 ft (10 m) long. This vine bears white flowers and ovoid edible fruits.
Leaves - The kiwi has a decidious foliage. Leaves are wide, and can be up to 8 in (20 cm) long. Young shoots are slightly pubescent, with a red-green color. Older leaves are glabrous, and deep-green.
Flowers - This vine has white to white-cream fragrant flowers. It is generally a dioecious plant, which means that both a male vine and a female vine will be required for fruit production. Some cultivars like 'Solo' are partly self-fertile.
Fruits - The kiwi is an ovoid fruit, which can be up to 2.5 in (6 cm) long. The skin is brown and has dense brown hairs. The flesh is green and contains numerous tiny black seeds.

Culture

The kiwifruit is a showy and vigorous vine, that can withstand negative temperatures down to 10°F (-12°C). It can thus be grown in USDA zones 8a and warmer.
Soil - The kiwifruit prefers a fertile, well-drained and slightly acidic ground.

Propagation

The kiwifruit can be propagated by seeds ; however, fruit quality and plant sex won't be known initially. cuttings, layers or grafting are thus prefered techniques.