Practical
Plants

Actinidia callosa

a deciduous member of the Actinidia genus in the family Actinidiaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Height
9 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Bees, Insects
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Bees, Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[14]. A very delicate flavour[11][15][2][6][8]. An acid flavour[9]. The fruit can be dried[9]. Fruits are 18 - 25mm long[13]. They contain a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[K].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The wood is porous[6].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas to W. China.
Habitat
Forests and shrubberies to 3000 metres in the Himalayas[15][10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[5]. It is probably best if the seed is given 3 months stratification[3], either sow it in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in November or as soon as it is received. Fresh seed germinates in 2 - 3 months at 10°c, stored seed can take longer[5]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. When the plants are 30cm or more tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[K]. Most seedlings are male[4]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, they must be kept well ventilated[3]. Cuttings of softwood as soon as ready in spring in a frame[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very high percentage[3]. Cuttings of ripe wood, October/November in a frame.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil[1][12]. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production[12]. Prefers a sheltered position[12]. Plants are not fully hardy in much of Britain[13]. Young spring growth is susceptible to frost damage[7]. Fruits are formed on second year wood and also on fruit spurs on older wood[4], any pruning is best carried out in the winter[13]. This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc[12]. A very ornamental plant[6], there are some named varieties developed for their edible fruit[9]. A polymorphic species, there are a number of sub-species[10]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[12]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. ? The Plantsman. Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985. Royal Horticultural Society 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.

    ↩

  8. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  9. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Li. H. L. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. Volume 32. Arnold Arboretum. 1952-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  11. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  13. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩

  15. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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