The Kiwiberry ( Actinidia arguta ) is a fast growing perennial vine generally grown for the bite sized mini kiwifruits it bears. Kiwiberry are fantastic if you like kiwi fruit because they are not hairy, so don’t need peeling or scooping out with a spoon, as the skin is also edible. The size and skin are quite similar to that of a grape but with the taste of a kiwifruit, although they are a little sweeter than a fuzzy kiwi.
Some other common names for the Actinidia arguta are Hardy Kiwi, Baby Kiwi, Dessert Kiwi, Tara Vine, Grape Kiwi or Siberian Gooseberry.
Growth
Actinidia arguta is a hardy, woody vine that grows quickly at up to 5-6 metres in a single season. The vine will generally grow up to 10 metres tall with a spread of 3-6 metres, although it is best to cut them back during the winter while they are dormant.
Kiwiberry plants are dioecious, meaning that plants are either male or female and both are needed to produce fruit. One male kiwi berry plant can pollinate up to six females, you cannot tell them apart until they begin to flower. To tell them apart (we will take some photos this season and post a blog & link, to make this a little easier but for now they are dormant) you need to observe the flowers.
The male flowers have anthers, which are basically little sticks that poke out of the centre of the flower. These anthers will have a little ball of fluffy, yellow pollen on the tip. The female flower is very different and the easiest way to describe it words is to ‘imagine the spokes of a bicycle wheel’, the centre of the female flower will open to reveal what looks like many wheel spokes – but without the wheel.
The fruit themselves are about an inch long and are highly nutritious, earning themselves another name the ‘Super Berry’.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Actinidiaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub-Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-34 to 37°C / 29 to 100°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining moist soil
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade (in warmer regions, some afternoon shade may be appreciated)
HEIGHT:
Up to 10 metres (32 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 3-6 metres (10-20 feet)
pH:
5.0-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Woody, Climbing, Deciduous Vine
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Bee & other Insects Pollinated. Dioecious – both male and female flowers are on separate plants, and both are required to achieve pollination and fruit. One male plant can pollinate up to female plants, within a 12-metre radius.
MATURITY:
2-3 years
GERMINATION RATES:
77-81%
GERMINATION TIME:
Cold Stratification for 6-8 weeks, post sowing germination around 3-4 weeks dependent on conditions.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Medium
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 220
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
None Known
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes, fruit.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2 years.
FACTS ABOUT ACTINIDIA ARGUTA
Kiwiberries are native to Japan, Korea, Russia & and China
Once mature, a single plant can produce roughly 22 kilograms of fruit every season, in perfect conditions this can be upwards of 40 kg.
