Practical
Plants

Actinidia kolomikta

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Height
10 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, cooked or dried for later use[1][14][2][9]. Sweet and agreeable[1][16]. It contains up to 5 times the vitamin C of blackcurrants[16]. The fruit is up to 2cm in diameter[11]. It contains a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[K]. Young leaves - cooked[2][8]. Used as a potherb or added to soups[9].

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Leaves

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, E. Siberia.
Habitat
Coniferous woodlands and hedges in mountains throughout Japan[15][5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
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[6]. It is probably best if the seed is given 3 months stratification[4], 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[6]. 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[5]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, they must be kept well ventilated[4]. 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[4]. 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[3][12]. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production[12]. Another report says that the plant prefers semi-shade[7]. Prefers a sheltered position[12]. When grown in a sunny position the leaves normally develop a strong variegation[13]. Prefers a neutral soil, plants become more variegated when they are grown in a limy soil[12]. Very cold resistant, dormant plants are hardy to at least -30°c but new growth in spring can be cut back by late frosts[16][7][12]. Plants grow well on a wall and can also be grown into trees[1]. Cats are very fond of this plant and can damage it by scratching it etc[1][14][12]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are some named varieties that have been selected for their edible fruit[9][12]. The form most often cultivated in this country is a male and it is quite possible that all the plants grown here have been developed from a single clone[13]. Often confused with the closely related A. polygama, but it can be distinguished by its leaves which are heart-shaped at the base whilst those of A. polygama are tapered[13]. Fruits are produced on second year wood or on fruit spurs on older wood[5], any pruning is best carried out in the winter[13]. The flowers are sweetly scented[10]. This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc[12]. 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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  4. 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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

  7. Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

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

    ↩

  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↩6↩7↩8↩9

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  14. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩1↩2

  15. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

  16. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page