Actinidia chinensis
| Actinidia chinensis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 25' |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Actinidia chinensis
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].
The dormant plant is hardy to about -15°c[6], though new growth in spring is very susceptible to frost damage[7].
This species is the parent of the cultivated Kiwi fruits, these cultivars are now included under the name A. deliciosa[5].
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[8]. The flowers are sweetly scented[9].
This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc[5].
The ssp. A. chinensis setosa.(newly named, no author as yet) is found in Taiwan from 1300 - 2600m[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 - China.
Habitat: Thickets and oak forests on slopes or in ravines, 200 - 2300 metres[11][10].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. A delicious flavour. The fruit is up to 3cm across[10]. Fresh fruits contain 100 - 420mg vitamin C per 100g and 8 - 14% carbohydrate[12]. Acidity is 1 - 2%, mainly citric acid[12]. The fruit contains a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[K].
The leaves are eaten cooked in times of need as a famine food[13].
Medicinal: The fruits, stems and roots are diuretic, febrifuge and sedative[14]. They are used in the treatment of stones in the urinary tract, rheumatoid arthralgia, cancers of the liver and oesophagus[14].
A decoction of the leaves is used to treat mange in dogs[12].
The stem-juice is used in the treatment of gravel[12].
Usage: Paper is made from the bark[15].
If the bark is removed in one piece from near the root and placed in hot ashes, it becomes very hard and can be used as a tube for a pencil[15].
The plant is said to have insecticidal properties (no more details)[12].
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 5.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Arnold Arboretum. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Volume 32. Arnold Arboretum, 1952.
- ↑ Wilson, Ernest and Charles Sargent. Plantae Wilsonianae.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.