Description of Actinidia kolomikta varieties, rules of planting, care, pruning and propagation

For exotic lovers, breeders try to adapt plants as much as possible to the climate of different regions. Sometimes the results are positive, sometimes negative, it all depends on the plants. Actinidia kolomikta are familiar to summer residents as fruit and ornamental plants. Their care depends on the purpose for which they are grown.

Botanical description of the variety

A tree-like liana, the shoots of which reach 2-5 cm in diameter. Its lashes reach a length of 15-20 m, depending on the growing conditions.

The peculiarity of the plant is the changing color of the foliage:

• While the plant is just growing, they are bronze in color.
• Then they change to green.
• Before actinidia begins to bloom, the shade at the tips of the leaves changes and they become white.
• After flowering, it changes to shades of pink, yellow, purple and reddish.

It begins to bloom at the age of 5; the period is long, about 20 days. The flowers are white, slightly pinkish on the back.

After flowering, actinidia begins to form ovaries, from which dark green berries will appear. Their length is 3 cm, they taste very pleasant, sweet, with a delicate aroma.

The ripening period occurs at the end of August or mid-September.

The downside is that the berries fall off very quickly.

Actinidia are a family of 70 species. They differ from each other in some features.

What is the difference between male and female

Like all dioecious plants, Actinidia kolomikta has male and female types of vines. The difference between individuals lies in the structure of the flowers.

In order to get fruit, gardeners recommend growing several plants of different types.

If a flower has many stamens and no visible pistil, the plant is male. A pistil surrounded by stamens indicates that the gardener is facing a female type of actinidia. Pollen from the male plant is required for pollination.

Varieties and their characteristics

Before deciding to grow vines on your site, you need to carefully study the characteristics of the varieties and choose the most suitable one. The species must meet all the necessary requirements that the gardener places on it.

Doctor Szymanowski

Features of the species are high frost resistance, the plant can withstand -40 ⁰C. Plants of this variety are self-fertile, but to increase productivity it is necessary to grow the male type of plants.

The liana requires the installation of supports, the distance between plants is 1.5 m, from buildings and structures 2-2.5 m. The foliage has a pink tint, which by autumn changes to yellow, reddish or dark pink.

If the plant has enough sunlight, the color of the foliage is richer and brighter.

The berries are small, weigh only 3 g, their length is 2.5 cm. Their taste resembles something between an apple and a lemon. The fruits fall off immediately after ripening.

Pineapple

A variety known to summer residents for a very long time, the height of the bush is 7 m. It bears its first fruits only in the 7th year. The fruit weighs 2 g, length 3 cm. The berry tastes very sweet, with a pronounced pineapple flavor. They partially fall off, some fruits remain on the bushes. After harvesting, they are not stored for long.

Pineapple actinidia has high winter hardiness. It grows very quickly and has particularly decorative foliage.

Adam

The male type of plant is used by summer residents to decorate the site. This is due to the fact that when planted in a sunny place, the color of its foliage will be much richer than that of the female. Its height reaches 4 m. The plant is resistant to low temperatures and diseases characteristic of the crop.

The flowers are small, but the peculiarity of the plant is not in the flowers, but in the color of the foliage, which changes during the season from white to pink.

Gourmand

The liana grows up to 6.5-7 meters. The support wraps around counterclockwise. The flowers resemble lily of the valley in appearance and have a distinct scent. Flowering lasts for almost a month.

The fruits are large compared to other varieties. The weight of the Actinidia Gourmand berry is 5 g, length 5-6 cm. Its taste is richly pineapple, sweet and sour. Resists cold and disease.

Moma

The liana-like shrub reaches a height of 4 meters. The fruits are green and small. The taste contains pineapple notes. Flowering is abundant, the ovary is formed annually, the fruits do not fall off. Ripe fruit does not last long.

Marmalade

A liana-like plant 3-4 m high. The fruits are cylindrical, weighing 2.3 g. They taste sweet, with a pineapple aroma. Be sure to install supports along which the plant will climb.

It is resistant to diseases and does not require special care. For pollination and increased yield, a male plant is grown in close proximity.

September

The fruits of this species are large, weighing up to 17 g. The taste is sweet, the aroma is pineapple. Ripens in the last ten days of September. Hence the name of the variety Actinidia kolomikta.

The liana reaches a length of 20 m. Fruiting occurs in the 2-3rd year after planting. Plants require virtually no care, have high field health and frost resistance.

When performing all agricultural techniques, up to 20 kg of fruits are collected from one plant.

Fragrant

The Aromatic actinidia variety is universal, as the fruits are used for making jams, preserves, compotes and consumed fresh:

• the fruits are large;
• weight 3 g;
• the taste is standard, sweet and sour;
• the aroma is pronounced, nutmeg;
• the height of the vine is 3 m.

The plant requires virtually no care; even a beginner can grow it on the site.

Vitacola

The peculiarity of this species is that the fruits ripen in clusters of 3 pieces. Which is unusual for any other variety of the female type. The height of the vine is 4 m. It ripens in the second ten days of August, the fruits weigh up to 4.5 g.

Fruiting begins at 3 years of age. The berry crumbles a lot when ripe. Since it ripens unevenly, it is better to harvest every 3 days.

In what areas can it be grown?

The success of planting directly depends on the region where the vine is grown. Actinidia kolomikta is capable of growing and bearing fruit throughout Russia and other countries. In the Urals, its cultivation is not something exceptional. It is important to choose a variety that is resistant to the climate of the region, and the plant will delight gardeners with a bountiful harvest.

In the Moscow region, gardeners are experimenting, selecting varieties that are frost-resistant, productive, and undemanding in terms of soil composition. Each summer resident has his own priority indicators that the variety must meet.

Reproduction methods

To propagate exotic plants on your own site, you won’t need anything other than following standard techniques. Actinidia reproduces layering, cuttings and seeds. It won’t be difficult to choose a method that’s convenient for you.

Seeds

Berry seeds are obtained from a ripe fruit, they are carefully selected into a bag of gauze or cloth and washed under running water. Then they are dried and prepared for planting.

The seeds of the liana germinate very difficultly, so they are pre-prepared. Place in gauze, a piece of bandage or nylon, and soak for 4 days in water. Then prepare a container with sand, water it, and bury the seeds there. Keep in a warm place for 45-55 days. Ventilate periodically and take it out of the sand for 5 minutes once a week.

When the specified time has passed, wrap the box and put it in the cold for another 2 months. Don't water. Then keep at a temperature of + 12 ⁰C, watering periodically. After 25 days, the seeds will begin to crack.

Take a small container for planting and fill it with a nutrient mixture. Spread the seeds and sprinkle with a layer of soil. Waiting for shoots.

By cuttings

To take cuttings, you need a 2-year-old side branch of actinidia. The cuttings should contain 4-5 buds. One side is cut straight, the other obliquely. To stimulate the appearance of roots, wrap the workpieces with a damp cloth.

They keep it this way for about a week, after white stripes appear on the oblique cut, they are planted in the ground.

By layering

To reproduce in this way, you will need a 3-year-old shoot. It is dug into the ground in the fall to a depth of 10 cm. Watered with a root growth stimulator and covered with mulch.

In spring, remove the mulch and allow sprouts to appear. For a whole year, the cuttings feed together with the mother bush. Only then is it separated with pruning shears.

Conditions for successful growth

To get a harvest, actinidia kolomikta needs to create suitable conditions. If all requirements are met, the plant will definitely please its owner:

1. The right choice of location, as close to natural as possible.
2. There is a high requirement for humidity; to preserve it, the tree trunk circle is covered with mulch.
3. Do not over-moisten the soil; the closely lying root system will begin to rot.
4. Sandy soil is not favorable for growing actinidia.
5. Be sure to equip a support; without it, the vine will not be able to grow.
6. Carrying out care, performing standard agrotechnical practices.

Following these steps will allow you to grow a healthy and strong plant.

Choosing the right place

Its decorative appearance, fruiting and growth depend on how correctly the place for growing actinidia is chosen.

Soil composition

You should not even try to grow actinidia in sandy soil; it is better to plant it in fertile, breathable soil. The liana prefers light or medium loam.

Temperature

The optimal temperature for the development of vines is average. The scorching sun harms her, but she doesn’t feel well in the shade either. It is necessary to select a place where there is sunlight for half the day.

Planting dates and technology

It is difficult to give a definitive answer to this question. The planting time in each region is different, it depends on the climate of the growing area. Around early spring or autumn.

The bed is prepared in advance, the planting holes should be large, 50 * 50, and a drainage layer should be placed on the bottom. A layer of earth with humus is placed on top. Leave for several days.

The seedlings are placed in holes and covered with soil up to the root collar. The soil is compacted with hands and watered abundantly. The distance between plants is 1-1.5 m.

Features of caring for actinidia kolomikta

Proper care is the key to success. Fulfilling all requirements will lead to increased yield. Standard agricultural techniques, performed correctly, allow you to grow a beautiful plant that produces healthy fruits.

Irrigation

The moisture-loving actinidia kolomikta requires frequent watering, but do not overwater the plants, as the vine may die. It is best to use sprinklers by spraying the plants in the morning.

Loosening and mulching

After each watering, you need to carefully loosen the top layer. This will retain moisture in the soil and provide oxygen access to the root system.

Mulching will protect against rapid drying out of the soil and the appearance of weeds.

Fertilizer and feeding

Actinidia is fed with mineral fertilizers 3 times per season:

• in spring;
• during budding;
• after harvest.

Fertilizers are applied strictly under the roots of plants.

Bush formation

Actinidia kolomikta is pruned for the first time at 3-4 years of age. Removing excess shoots will increase yield. Proper pruning is necessary for the plant.

The liana is pruned in summer or autumn. It is not recommended to do this in spring.

To improve the quality of fruits, rejuvenating pruning is carried out once every 10 years, leaving only 40 cm from the root.

Disease and pest control

High plant immunity and proper planting techniques will save actinidia from diseases. But when the first signs of the disease appear, the affected areas must be immediately removed and the bush treated.

All about flowering and fruiting of kiwi

The flowering and fruiting of kiwi directly depends on what variety the summer resident grows. Early varieties bloom in late May and ripen in mid-August. Average in early June and late August. It all depends on the climatic conditions of the growing region.

The right variety and place for planting actinidia is half the success. Even beginners will not have any difficulties.