Chinese Gooseberry Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Chinese Gooseberry:

Actinidia chinensis

Previously known as:

Actinidia deliciosa

Phonetic Spelling

ak-tih-NID-ee-uh chi-NEN-sis de-lis-ee-OH-sah

Description

Actinidia deliciosa is a dioecious, woody vine usually selected as an addition to individual's gardens because of its kiwi fruit and leaves. Since this plant is dioecious, if you want it to fruit, you must plant both a male and a female plant of Actinidia deliciosa. The fruit has both nutritional properties and health benefits. It can be eaten raw and is added to salads.

It is susceptible to cold. Plants can freeze. The spring young shoots are very frost tender, a late frost can damage the plant. An early frost in the fall or winter can damage unharvested fruit.

When planting, choose the correct site, as this is a plant that does not as its roots disturbed once situated. A sturdy trellis is recommended. The young vines need to be trained. Situate with one straight trunk and one leader on each side. Protect from strong winds, as the plant can be damaged, and fruiting reduced.

Although there are numerous cultivars and varieties of this plant, many will not be found in the USA.

Meaning Behind the Name: Referring to a Greek word for ray, Actinidia's meaning shows itself in the shape of the plant since its vines spread out like rays or spokes. Deliciosa is much more obvious in meaning: delicious kiwi fruit!

Where to Plant: The overhead of a patio, the archway of an arbor, or even vertical spaces such as walls, fences, and trellises are just some examples of where this vine Actinidia deliciosa could grow.

Insect Pests, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests and diseases are not a major problem for this plant. Hairs on the fruits may cause throat irritation. The fruits also contain actinidin, an enzyme that can also cause irritation.

More information on Actinidia chinensis.

See this plant in the following landscape:

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Abbott'
Small fruit.
'Allison'
Large fruit.
'Autari'
Grown in Italy.
'Bruno'
High yield variety.
'Californian Male'
Seed comes from China
'Chico Male'
Seeds come from China
'Donne'
Grown in warmer climate conditions of South Africa.
'Elizabeth'
Female
'Elmwood'
Has the largest fruit
'Fatma'
Low yield variety.
'First Emporer'
Female
'Greensill'
Cyindrical fruit, flattened on both ends.
'Hayward'
The primary male cultivar. Its fruit is larger, has a better appearance and superior flavor.
'Koryoku'
Produced by open pollination of 'Hayward'. It is being grown in Japan.
'Lushanxiang'
Female - fruit sold in USA
'Matua'
Male cultivar.
'McLean'
Male cultivar.
'Montgomery'
Also called Monty, low yield, small fruit.
'Moonya'
Male cultivar.
'Qinmei'
Grown in China
'Red Princess'
Female
'Tere'
Smallest fruit.
'Tewi'
Grown in the Canary Islands
'Tomua'
Released in New Zealand, fruit can be harvested earlier than other cultivars.
'Tomuri'
Male cultivar.
Top Star
A bud mutation of 'Hayward' with smooth hairless fruit.
'Vincent'
Female.
'Yellow Joy'
Female.

'Abbott', 'Allison', 'Autari', 'Bruno', 'Californian Male', 'Chico Male', 'Donne', 'Elizabeth', 'Elmwood', 'Fatma', 'First Emporer', 'Greensill', 'Hayward', 'Koryoku', 'Lushanxiang', 'Matua', 'McLean', 'Montgomery', 'Moonya', 'Qinmei', 'Red Princess', 'Tere', 'Tewi', 'Tomua', 'Tomuri', Top Star, 'Vincent', 'Yellow Joy'

Tags:

#deciduous #full sun tolerant #large leaves #disease resistant #fast growing #pest resistant #dappled sunlight #cream flowers #dioecious #vigorous vine #deciduous vine #garden walls #vine #arbor #partial shade tolerant #patio #fence #trellis