Actinidia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Actinidia (Latin Actinidia) - a genus of woody lianas of the Actinidia family. One of the famous cultivated species of this genus is the gourmet actinidia, or kiwi. Currently, there are about 40 species. Natural habitat - Himalayas, Southeast and Central Asia. Some species are found on the island of Java and in Russia (in the Far East). In nature, actinidia grow in deciduous and mountain cedar-deciduous forests and on the edges.

Characteristics of culture

Actinidia is a shrub vine up to 5 m high with numerous branches thickened at the base. Shoots of all types are of three types: fruit, vegetative and mixed. The average annual growth is 1.5-2 m. The root system of actinidia is powerful, densely branched, the bulk of the roots is located at a depth of 20-35 cm, individual roots lie at a depth of 100-120 cm.

Leaves are green, whole, serrated or serrate along the edge, do not have stipules, are arranged alternately. The buds are partially or completely hidden in the leaf ribs. Flowers are medium-sized, 1-3 cm in diameter, single or collected in axillary inflorescences. The perianth is four or five-membered, double. Corolla is white, orange or golden yellow, cupped. The flowers of most species do not have a scent, but, for example, polygamous actinidia boasts a pleasant aroma.

The fruit is an oblong berry of yellow, green, yellow-green or light orange color. Actinidia blooms in mid-late May. The culture begins to bear fruit 3-4 years after planting. The sea anemone kolomikta is one of the species that grows not only in the form of a liana, but also as a low-growing shrub with non-twisting shoots. In addition, this species is characterized by increased frost resistance. The species grown on the territory of Russia are valuable and nutritious, the fruit tastes like pineapple.

Growing conditions

Actinidia is a thermophilic culture; in order to mitigate the negative effects of low temperatures, it is important to place plants in well-lit areas throughout the day, protected from cold, piercing winds. Accepts actinidia places with openwork penumbra. It is not forbidden to grow plants from the southwest or south side of buildings. Loose, moderately moist, fertile soils with neutral pH are preferred. It is important to organize supports for actinidia - ladders, trellises, etc.

Reproduction and planting

Actinidia is propagated by seeds, layering, semi-freshened and freshened cuttings. Cuttings 10-15 cm long are cut at the beginning of July, each cutting should have at least 2-3 leaves. The lower leaves and the green part of the shoot are removed, and the upper ones are shortened by half. The cuttings are treated with growth stimulants and planted in an inclined position in a mixture consisting of river sand and peat in a 2: 1 ratio. For successful rooting, the substrate layer should be at least 20 cm. For the first time, the cuttings are shaded and kept moist. Cuttings take root in 15-20 days. By autumn, young plants are covered with a dense layer of sawdust or humus, and in spring they are transplanted to a permanent place.

The simplest and most reliable method of propagation by layering. In mid-late May, healthy lower shoots are bent to the surface of the ground, pinned and covered with soil. The next year, the rooted cuttings are separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place. The seed method is long-lasting, but effective. The seeds are subjected to preliminary stratification, which lasts two months. Seeds are sown in seedling boxes and kept in a room with an air temperature of 20-25C until shoots appear. At the end of May, boxes with seedlings are transferred to the garden and shaded. The next spring, young plants are planted in a permanent place. Actinidia grown by sowing seeds begin to bear fruit in 5-7 years. The area for actinidia is prepared in advance: the soil is dug up, good drainage is made from pebbles, sand or gravel, humus is introduced (8-10 kg per 1 sq. M), superphosphate (150-200 g), potassium chloride (70-80 g), ammonium nitrate (40-50 g) and wood ash.

Care

In the first year of life, actinidia need systematic watering, weeding, top dressing and careful loosening. In the second year, in the immediate vicinity of the plants, a support is installed with a height of about 2-2.5 m. The lianas are tied to the lower beam in the same vertical plane. In the third year, young shoots from the main vines are tied up so that they do not intertwine. In the fourth year, one of last year's shoots is removed and replaced with a new one, and so on. The culture needs pruning, it is carried out in the fall. Spring pruning is undesirable, as a rule, it leads to drying out of the plants. Sanitary pruning is done in summer by cutting the crown.