Actinidia

Actinidia Figur - a powerful climbing vine reaching heights of 5 to 10 meters. The plant is characterized by dense dark green leaves and a thick trunk with a diameter of up to 15 cm and a bluish-gray bark. Flowers appear at the beginning of summer, are dioecious, green-white and fragrant; their flowering lasts about a week. After flowering, oval-cone-shaped fruits of a light green color with a slight yellowish tint are formed, weighing 7–14 grams. The berry flesh is sour-sweet, aromatic, and contains vitamin C 2–3 times higher than blackcurrant, and ten times more than in lemons.

Fruiting begins with the third year after planting; yield is high — up to 20 kg of fruit from one adult bush. Fruits are collected in clusters of 5–20 pieces and ripen at the end of August-beginning of September, although some varieties may yield as early as the second decade of September.

For successful cultivation, a support (arc) and tying to the surface is required. The plant is frost-resistant down to -25 °C, resistant to diseases and pests, but poorly tolerates drought and water stagnation. Ideally, it grows in a warm place sheltered from drafts with fertile, well-drained slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5). Irrigation is best carried out by drip irrigation, and the trunk circle should be mulched. To increase yield, regular pruning and feeding with humate in spring and potassium humate during fruiting is recommended.

Pollination occurs crosswise: one male sapling is required for 3–4 female. The plant combines well with grapes, fruit trees, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries, and can also be grown near coniferous plants.