Content
Actinidia is a genus of oriental woody vines common in South Asia. It includes more than 65 species, the most famous is the delicacy (Chinese), which produces very tasty fruits - kiwi. The article discusses the best varieties of actinidia with photos and descriptions.
What is actinidia
The largest and juiciest fruits are produced by actinidia kolomikta
Actinidia is a long vine. The description states that its dimensions in favorable conditions exceed 7 m. It has a developed root system, the roots protrude outward. The plant produces fruits called berries. Depending on the type and variety, they can have different shapes, colors and tastes.
What does actinidia look like?
Only a general description of the genus is presented, since different varieties have their own characteristics. The shoots are round or oval, smooth, looking down. The description states that the flowers are white, sometimes pink, and emit a pleasant scent.There are female and male actinidia. The description says that both representatives are most often necessary for the development of fruits.
The leaves are heart-shaped and very large. In summer they are light green in color, but with the onset of cold weather they begin to darken. The description specifies that during the flowering period they can be white, red, burgundy or pink. Actinidia is a bright representative of tropical crops. Under natural conditions it can grow in warm regions, but breeders have developed special frost-resistant varieties that produce large, sweet fruits.
Taste qualities of actinidia
According to the description, the taste may vary depending on the variety. Berries can be juicy and sweet, sweet and sour, honey, pineapple, apple, etc.
Actinidia species
The plant has dozens of species. It will not be possible to analyze them all in one article, so below is a description of only the most common representatives.
Actinidia kolomikta
Actinidia kolomikta has high frost resistance. The description states that the length of the vine can reach 11 m. The trunk is small, about 2 cm. According to the description, the leaves are quite large, up to 10 cm wide. In male specimens they are more colorful: white at the beginning of spring, pink in the middle and red at the end . The description clarifies that there is pubescence on the back side of the leaf. In autumn the greens turn purple or yellow.
Male flowers of Actinidia kolomikta (pictured) are collected in a group, while female flowers are arranged singly
The berries are small, only 3-4 cm. According to the description, they are green, but in the sun they can be golden or red. They ripen late, in early or mid-August. The fruits are edible and can be eaten without pre-processing.The most prominent representatives:
- Gourmand. A young variety of kolomikta with a sweet and sour taste. The shape of the fruit is oval, reaching 3.5 cm in length.
- Pineapple. The berries are soft and have a taste similar to pineapple. They reach 3 cm in length, green in color with pinkish dots on the sides. It grows quickly and produces a good harvest.
- Doctor Szymanowski. Named after the famous breeder. The fruits are green, small in size - up to 2-2.5 cm. Pleasant to the touch, very sweet. The leaves change color depending on the season. It is considered a fairly frost-resistant crop.
No less famous varieties are Waffle, Slastena, Moma.
Actinidia arguta
Actinidia arguta has the most powerful dimensions. The description says that in the natural environment the length of the vine can exceed 32 m. The trunk is much more voluminous than that of other representatives of the genus - up to 20 cm. The leaves reach 16 cm, have the shape of an egg with a “toothy” edge. This is a dioecious plant; small (about 2 cm) white flowers are formed on male and female individuals.
The fruits of actinidia arguta (pictured) ripen late, closer to mid-autumn, reaching a length of 3.2 cm
Popular varieties:
- Large-fruited. The description states that the variety is resistant to both heat and frosty winds. The fruits ripen in mid or late summer and are shaped like a flattened egg. The berries can be identified by their dark green color with pinkish areas. The fruits are heavy, with dimensions of 2 cm, they weigh 3-4 times more than other varieties.
- Primorskaya. Frost resistance is average. The description contains a clarification that it cannot withstand temperatures below -15 °C. The berries are soft, the outer shell is thin, easy to peel. The aroma is reminiscent of an apple.This is a variety with strong immunity, which is not afraid of either pests or diseases.
The varieties “September” and “Relay” are also common among gardeners.
Actinidia chinensis
Chinese actinidia (Actinidia sinensis) under favorable conditions can reach 11 meters in length. The species requires space; the roots spread over a large area. The description says that the fruits are medium in size, some varieties form large berries called kiwi. They are bright green in color and have many black seeds inside. The flesh may also be yellow. Chinese culture exudes a pleasant aroma. The taste is sweet and sour, reminiscent of tropical fruits.
Chinese actinidia has many varieties with interesting names
Common varieties:
- Sun Gold. It was in high demand until it was damaged by the PSA bacterium. By the description you can find out what is distinguished by its pleasant yellow-green flesh. They are grown in Italy and New Zealand, where the conditions are most favorable for the variety.
- Enza Red. The fruits can be distinguished from other varieties by the characteristic red star in the center. The outer and inner pulp have different tastes, the outer shell is much softer.
- Zesy (Zesy002). A young variety that quickly spread throughout the international market. The description states that it is similar to kolomikta. He has strong immunity and almost never gets sick. The inside of the berries have a yellowish tint and ripen early.
In its natural environment, Chinese culture lives in ravines, hills and humid forests. The berries are not as fluffy as other varieties, making them easier to eat. In artificial conditions it grows quickly. Pruning required.
Actinidia polygamous
Actinidia polygamous has leaves in the shape of a flattened egg, with serrated edges along the edges. Light spots are visible on the outside. In the description there is a clarification that culture can be either same-sex or bisexual. The trunk is small, about 2 cm, the length of the vine is 6 m. The fruits are small, only 3 g, ready for consumption.
The most delicious variety of polygamous actinidia is apricot
Popular varieties:
- Gorgeous. According to the description, it has good immunity, is not afraid of frost and bark beetle attacks. The fruits are large, but with dimensions of 3.5 cm they weigh no more than 5 g. The berries smell pleasant. The pulp has a sweet and sour taste.
- Apricot. It has average resistance to cold and high resistance to diseases. The variety appeared recently, but has already become world famous. From the description you can find out that the fruits are flattened on both sides, reach 3.6 cm in length, and weigh a little. The berries exude a pleasant balsam aroma.
- Patterned. It has a fig smell and tastes quite sweet. The description says that the shape of the fruit is cylindrical. Ripens in mid or late autumn. Long stripes are concentrated on the surface of the berries.
Actinidia polygamous, although it can grow at sub-zero temperatures, prefers warm climates. Cold weather has a bad effect on crop yields.
The best varieties of actinidia
Through the efforts of breeders, it was possible to develop several dozen varieties of actinidia. In Russia, just over 40 varieties have been officially registered. Below are the most prominent representatives of the culture (with descriptions), which have a number of unique features.
Self-fertile varieties of actinidia
In the store the variety is called self-fertile. It is characterized by average frost resistance and has good immunity.The disadvantage for the Russian climate is the late ripening of the fruits. The berries are quite large, the average weight is 20 g. With a good yield, about 11 kg can be harvested from one bush.
Actinidia self-fertile differs in taste characteristics and plant dimensions
Winter-hardy varieties of actinidia
In difficult Russian conditions, it can be difficult to grow tropical crops. Scientists still managed to develop a frost-resistant variety that gets along in this climate - Dachny (Actinidia Dachnaya). With good watering, the berries can reach a weight of 12 g. They have a sweet and sour taste.
The Dachny variety is suitable for the Leningrad region
Early varieties of actinidia
Since cold weather sets in faster in Russia than in southern countries, gardeners choose early varieties. In this regard, attention should be paid to kolomikta. The species includes several early-ripening varieties that ripen in early to mid-summer. The earliest are: Festive, Slastena, Soroka.
Early varieties of actinidia are popular in Russian stores
Large varieties of actinidia
The largest variety is a hybrid of Emerald and Purple garden crops - Kiev large-fruited. The berries of the plant are large in size, the average weight of one fruit is 21 g. Due to the abundance of juice, they resemble barrels. The plant is powerful, the vine can grow up to 7 m in height. The disadvantage of the variety is that both male and female seedlings are needed for fruit ripening.
The photo of the Kyiv large-fruited actinidia shows that the berries are quite weighty
Sweet varieties of actinidia
The juiciest and sweetest fruits are formed in two varieties - Waffle and Tuzemka. The first is a representative of Actinidia kolomikta, the second is Arguta.
- Waffle - has a high yield; with good watering, you can harvest about 6-8 kg from one bush. This is a strong plant that is not afraid of strong winds and precipitation. The berries have a pleasant olive hue, small weight - only 4 g, size - 3.5 cm. The fruits exude the smell of tropical fruits and taste like ripe apples and pineapples.
- Native is a fairly rare variety that is listed in the Red Book. The length of the crop can reach 16 m, the fruits are average - 9 g each, but very sweet. Finding a plant in stores is not easy, but if such a chance presents itself, the owner will receive a real treasure.
It is also worth paying attention to the Sweet Stick and Festival varieties.
Photo of actinidia in landscape design
The plant goes perfectly with the stone surface
Actinidia beautifully decorate metal arches
Windows plaited with male actinidia look very impressive, but there will be more insects in the house
Improvised roof made of actinidia kolomikta
Conclusion
The article presented the best varieties of actinidia with a photo and description of the plant. All of them are unique, have distinctive features, differ in color, shape and taste.
