Actinidia, planting and nursing in the North Caucasus, or how to grow kiwi

Actinidia are very ancient plants, these lianas grew in moist rainforests before the first person appeared. Actinidia are common in Southeast Asia, the Far East, China and Korea. Among the many species of this plant, mainly four are used as fruit; Actinidia, actinidium colomict, actinidia purpurea and actinidia Chinese or kiwi. Fruitful cultural forms of actinidia are relatively recent, in the XIX century (wild species of actinidia have small fruits). IV Michurin drew attention to this plant and brought out the first varieties for the middle band. In the conditions of the North Caucasus, Chinese actinidia can be successfully grown and bear fruit, planting and caring for it are similar to growing grapes.

Chinese actinidia was grown in ancient China (hence the name "Chinese gooseberry"), the seeds were brought to New Zealand, where the breeders brought out a new form with large and tasty fruits. The desiccated, golden brownish fruits reminded New Zealand breeders a kiwi bird - a symbol of their native country. Under this name - "kiwi", a new fruit and became popular in Europe. In 1988, the first plantation of kiwi was planted at the Adler Experimental Station (about 5 hectares of this actinidium). The planting and care developed there are suitable for a mild coastal climate, although actinidia also grows well in mountainous areas (for example, near the village of Krasnaya Polyana).

Kiwi - a vine (treelike liana) reaching a height of 20 meters, is very durable, needs support. Young shoots are fragile, easily broken.
Actinidia is a dioecious, on one plant only female, or only male flowers can. On the household plot, for normal pollination, planted on 8-9 female plants - 2 male, or 5 female - one male actinidia. Planting and care: Let's start by choosing a suitable support. Under Actinidia, special supports with a height of 3.5 meters can be installed. Posts for supports should be strong, reinforced concrete or metal. They draw a galvanized wire 5 mm thick, in 4 rows. In subtropical areas, a higher, L-shaped support can be placed. You can "let go" kiwi and on the pergola or on the wall of the building. It is important that the planting of actinidia is protected from the wind. In the North Caucasus, kiwi peacefully winters on supports.

Actinidia requires good illumination, regular watering, fertile, drained soil. The acidity of the soil is 4-6, alkaline soils rich in calcium for kiwi do not fit. Plant kiwi in pits or trenches with the addition of compost, the distance between the plants is 4 meters. When planting, it is important not to slip the root neck (you can leave it above the soil surface by 2 cm). The roots of the seedlings are stored in a film container and released from it only during planting (small roots easily dry out and die). Planted plants are pruned, leaving 3-4 strong buds and tying.

Young planting should be weeded, watered and mulched. With sufficient watering in the first 4 years, you can plant strawberries between plants. Actinidia actively uses nutrients from the soil, so it needs fertilizing. Soils in the North Caucasus, most often loam humus poor. On such soils, in spring the plant often experiences nitrogen hunger, it can be determined by yellowing and chopping of leaves and reddish petioles. It is necessary to feed the kiwi solution of urea (not concentrated, so as not to scorch the roots). It will be useful and foliar top dressing urea. Good results are given by the introduction of kiwi organic substances (manure, it is brought every 2-3 years, 6-10 kg per plant). The best type of formation of actinidia is palmetta, one-tiered or two-three-tiered. The main pruning of actinidia is carried out in winter, at the end of January - February, supporting pruning - in summer, in June - early July. Propagate kiwi with lignified cuttings cut from annual shoots during winter pruning.
It's not that difficult to grow this plant - actinidia, planting and caring for it is not more difficult than, for example, planting flowers in the country.