Actinidia purpurea
| Actinidia purpurea | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 33' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Actinidia purpurea
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].
Dormant plants are very hardy but young spring growth is susceptible to frost damage[6].
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[7].
This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc[5].
This species is possibly no more than a form of A. arguta[8], differing in its longer narrower leaves[3][5].
At least one named variety has been developed for its edible fruit[9].
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 - W. China
Habitat: Thickets, 1500 - 2100 metres[10].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[11][12]. Sweet[13][9][5]. The fruit is up to 2.5cm long[8]. It contains a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[K].
Pollinators: Bees, insects
Notes: We are growing this plant and could have it in the catalogue in 2 years time.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Dioecious
Also Known As: A. melanandra latifolia. E.Pritz. ex Diels. A. rufa arguta. Dunn. A. rufa typica. Dunn. A. chartacea. Hu.
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 3.2 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 5.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Natural Food Institute. Wonder Crops 1987.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Arnold Arboretum. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Volume 32. Arnold Arboretum, 1952.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Wilson, Ernest and Charles Sargent. Plantae Wilsonianae.
- ↑ Simmons, Alan. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles, 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.