Actinidia callosa
| Actinidia callosa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 30' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Actinidia callosa
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[1]. It is probably best if the seed is given 3 months stratification[2], either sow it in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in November or as soon as it is received. Fresh seed germinates in 2 - 3 months at 10°c, stored seed can take longer[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. When the plants are 30cm or more tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[K]. Most seedlings are male[3]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, they must be kept well ventilated[2].
Cuttings of softwood as soon as ready in spring in a frame[K].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very high percentage[2].
Cuttings of ripe wood, October/November in a frame.
Cultivation: Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil[4][5]. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production[5]. Prefers a sheltered position[5].
Plants are not fully hardy in much of Britain[6]. Young spring growth is susceptible to frost damage[7].
Fruits are formed on second year wood and also on fruit spurs on older wood[3], any pruning is best carried out in the winter[6].
This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc[5].
A very ornamental plant[8], there are some named varieties developed for their edible fruit[9].
A polymorphic species, there are a number of sub-species[10].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.[5]
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas to W. China.
Habitat: Forests and shrubberies to 3000 metres in the Himalayas[11][10].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[12]. A very delicate flavour[13][11][14][8][15]. An acid flavour[9]. The fruit can be dried[9]. Fruits are 18 - 25mm long[6]. They contain a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[K].
Usage: The wood is porous[8].
Pollinators: Bees, insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Royal Horticultural Society. The Plantsman Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985. Royal Horticultural Society, 1984.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Natural Food Institute. Wonder Crops 1987.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Gamble, James. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1972.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Arnold Arboretum. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Volume 32. Arnold Arboretum, 1952.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
- ↑ Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.