To decorate your garden plot you can use the most different plants. So, in one garden they can grow ornamental grasses, bushes, trees and even vines. And if such cultures are correctly selected and combine well with each other, then personal plot acquires especially attractive appearance. So, actinidia - vines with large leaves and edible fruits. Such plants are not very capricious; they reproduce easily. Today we will clarify which vine is worth growing: Arguta actinidia or Kolomikta actinidia, we will talk about which one is better, and what is the difference between such crops.

Actinidia came to us from Far East Russia, as well as from Asia, they are popular among gardeners, as they are hardy and able to adapt to different conditions environment. It is believed that Actinidia arguta and Actinidia kolomikta are the most common varieties of such plants. They are often grown for ornamental purposes and can withstand heavy frosts.

Such vines are woody, deciduous and perennial. Botanists classify them as members of the Actinidia family. The leaves of such plants are whole and can be thin or leathery. The variegated color of the foliage makes actinidia stand out in the garden. The stems and shoots of vines are not covered with suckers, so they need to be supported successful cultivation.

Actinidia may become excellent plants for decorating various buildings, gazebos, walls and fences. They are often used to decorate home verandas. Edible fruits can be used to make jam or marmalade, and they can also be added to compotes and other delicious dishes. These fruits can also be eaten raw. They are considered to be very useful.

Description of varieties of actinidia arguta and kolomikta

Actinidia arguta

So, arguta belongs to dioecious vines. Botanists claim that this is one of the most powerful cultivated varieties found in the Far East. Such a plant can reach thirty meters in length; there are cases when the diameter of its trunk was twenty centimeters. The leaves of this vine look pointed and ovoid, their edges are finely toothed. The length of the leaf is up to fifteen centimeters.

White flowers appear on Actinidia arguta, approximately two centimeters in diameter. They are quite strong and pleasant aroma. The flowering period begins in July. Both single flowers and those collected in racemes can form on the vine.

The fruits formed on actinidia arguta look spherical. They are edible and have a mild laxative effect. The weight of one fruit ranges from five to fifteen grams. These fruits are dark green in color and ripen around the end of September.

Actinidia kolomikta

This liana is recognized by botanists as particularly resistant to severe frosts and harsh winters. This plant is also dioecious; it can reach ten meters in length, and the diameter of its trunk is approximately twenty millimeters. The leaves of Actinidia kolomikta are ovate with sharply serrated edges. Their maximum length is approximately seven centimeters. The veins of the leaves are covered with reddish pubescence, and the petioles are painted in reddish tones. It is interesting that in the male representatives of the plant the tops of the leaves become white in July, and over time they change color several times from soft pink to bright crimson.

In autumn, the leaves of Actinidia kolomikta become especially beautiful - yellow-pink and red-violet.

The sex of a plant can be calculated based on the number and type of flowers that appear.

So the female representatives are covered with single flowers with a pleasant aroma and white color.

In male plants, white flowers are collected in racemes consisting of three to five flowers.

This type of vine also has edible fruits; they usually do not exceed two and a half centimeters in length, are green in color, but may turn slightly red or brown in the sun.

Which plant is best to choose for the garden? Differences between actinidia

If you want to grow a particularly powerful liana, turn your attention to Actinidia arguta - it can grow much larger than kolomikta. It has larger leaves and larger fruits; it can be harvested from best harvest– the size of the fruits is slightly larger than that of kolomikta, and a larger number of fruits can be formed on one plant. However, some gardeners are confident that kolomikta fruits are more beneficial because they contain more ascorbic acid.

As for decorativeness, both argut and kolomikta delight their owners with an attractive appearance. Arguta leaves look smooth and green, turning rich yellow in autumn. And the foliage of kolomikta changes color several times during the season.

Those readers of “Popular About Health” who live in regions with particularly harsh winters do not have much choice - they should give preference to actinidia kolomikta, as it is more frost-resistant. Although, it is worth noting that there are known cases of successful wintering of actinidia arguta in the conditions of the Moscow region.

Which actinidia is best for you? Decide for yourself! Both Actinidia kolomikta and Actinidia arguta can be wonderful decorations for the garden.

"Hardy Kiwifruit in Minnesota Gardens" - Jill MacKenzie and Emily E. Hoover
Winter-hardy kiwi - Actinidia kolomikta and Actinidia arguta in Minnesota gardens - Jill McKenzie and Emily Hoover
Translation - Yuri Fisenko.

Although the large-fruited pubescent kiwi that we see on store shelves cannot be grown in normal conditions In Minnesota, gardeners can grow small-fruited kiwis here without special winter protection. The size of the fruits of the most resistant type of kiwi - Actinidia kolomikta - is the size of a good grape. At the same time, the skin of the fruit is not pubescent, so the fruit can be eaten whole without peeling it. The taste of Actinidia kolomikta is similar to the kiwi we know (Actinidia superb), although somewhat sweeter.

Actinidia kolomikta

Actinidia kolomikta, also known as Arctic Beauty Kiwi, can withstand temperatures down to -40°C, although some plants do not bear fruit after particularly harsh winter seasons. The homeland of these plants is Northern China, Siberia, Japan and Korea. This climbing vines, about three meters high and one meter wide. The foliage of Actinidia kolomikta is very attractive in appearance, variegated, pink-white-green, because of this, Actinidia kolomikta is sometimes grown for its decorative qualities. Male plants are usually more variegated than females, and the variegation increases over the years.

Plants should begin to bear fruit within a year or two after planting, and they live for 50 years or more. Only female plants produce fruit, but male plants are also needed for pollination (and subsequent fruit set).

Small whitish flowers appear on plants in May-June, and pollination occurs with the help of insects.

The berries begin to ripen in August, and fruiting can last until the end of September. Cool night temperatures encourage berry ripening. Unripe fruits are light green and shiny. As the berries ripen, they become darker, softer and more transparent. Like regular kiwi fruits, they are best consumed fresh and can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks without loss of fruit quality.

Actinidia kolomikta thrives in semi-shaded areas with well-drained soil and protection from strong winds. The crop is not moisture- or drought-resistant; if the soil dries out, the vine may survive, but the fruits will fall off; and if the soil is waterlogged, plants may die from root rot. Actinidia grows well in soils with acidity ranging from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (pH 5.5-7.5). For good growth During fruiting and fruiting, the plant needs sunlight to reach the plant most of the day, but in winter, too much sunlight can damage the plants. To protect plants over the winter, after the leaves fall in the fall (usually mid-October), paint the stems white latex paint for outdoor work. Or wrap the stem or place screens of jute or burlap on the south side of the stem before the onset of autumn frosts.

Actinidia vines require support. Build or purchase durable wooden or metal trellises by stretching wire or other similar materials horizontally over them. The wire mesh supported by the side wall posts forms the necessary trellis. Actinidia vines wrap around a support rather than cling with tendrils, so the thickness of the support is not important.

Plants grown in a container or plants with an open root system are planted in the spring. Mulch the base of each vine with sawdust, straw, compost or any other similar material, and guide the young stems so that they curl along the wire. First, direct the vine to curl along bamboo stem than with wire or rope, as it will provide stronger support. For young plants, it is best not to let them wrap too tightly around a support that is too thin, as the stems will not grow and spread as well as they should if they wrap too tightly around the support.

When the vines begin to bear fruit, it may be necessary to fertilize them annually with nitrogen at the rate of 25-100 g per plant. (For fertilizers with a 33-0-0 ratio, a good supply of nitrogen will be at a flow rate of 75-330 g). Most Minnesota soils contain sufficient potassium and phosphorus for plant growth and fruiting, but if a soil test shows a deficiency of either of these elements, it will be necessary to use complex fertilizers. Fertilizers must be applied over the entire area of ​​actinidia roots - approximately within 1 m2 around the stem in April, May or June. A year after planting, thicker and stronger stems will appear at the base of the vine. The straightest and strongest of them should be left as the main permanent trunk, the rest should be pinched at the top and then completely cut out in winter. In the first year or two, the vine may not grow too high. But it will develop a powerful root system, which serves as the basis for further strong growth and fruiting in subsequent seasons.

Actinidia kolomikta is not a particularly vigorous vine, so it may need light pruning. Form the vine into one trunk as described above to ensure best flowering and fruiting, but do not cut or thin out the shoots on this trunk, since the fruits are formed along the entire length of the stems. Pruning the stem in the spring can lead to sap leakage, so pruning should be done in January-February, light pruning in July, if necessary.

With the exception of root rot, which is common for actinidia on poorly drained, heavy soils, actinidia kolomikta has no serious diseases or pests.

Some the best varieties actinidia kolomikta have Russian names, such as “Aromatic”, so named for its fragrant fruits, “Krupnoplodnaya”, which has more large fruits Compared to other varieties, “Sentyabrskaya” is exceptionally sweet. These and many other varieties can be ordered by mail and online.

Actinidia arguta

Another hardy kiwi species is Actinidia arguta, which for many years was known as Actinidia acute (Actinidia dacha?) until the kiwi crop became popular. It seems that it is now listed in nursery catalogs under the name “Persistent Kiwi”. In milder climates, vigorous species produce hairless fruits the size of cherries, but the vines freeze to ground level except in the warmest Minnesota winters. Their frost resistance ranges from -23...-30°C - depending on the variety. Although the vine will grow back from the roots, the fruit buds (in the year of freezing) will be destroyed.

Actinidia arguta in Minnesota looks good with its red stems that contrast favorably with the green foliage. It can grow up to 6 m in height in one season, and up to 2.5 m in width. Supports for actinidia arguta must be firmly and securely fixed, as the plants grow quickly and can become quite massive. Since they die every year, freezing to the ground level, pruning is limited to removing dead stems from the support before the beginning of the spring growing season.

Some kiwi enthusiasts in the state harvest fruit from Actinidia arguta by mounting them on supports that are laid on the ground for the winter. Then the vines are mulched with a thick layer of straw, which is then covered with snow. In the spring, the supports are returned to a vertical position again, so the vines can withstand the harsh winter conditions under a layer of mulch and snow and the fruit buds remain undamaged.

If actinidia arguta is grown in this way, it must be severely pruned to obtain best fruiting. In winter, cut out all weak stems and any thick upright stems known as “spinning tops.” Next, identify the fruiting stems and stems that will produce foliage. In fruit shoots, the buds are located close to each other. Shoots that will produce leaves rather than fruits in the spring have buds much further apart. Cut out most of these vegetative shoots. Trim the remaining ones to the length of the shortest fruiting shoot. Fertilizer requirements for Actinidia arguta are the same as for Actinidia kolomikta.

The variety most commonly found in Minnesota garden centers is Issai, prized as a self-fertile female variety that produces small, seedless fruits. However, this variety lacks the cold hardiness to be grown for yield in Minnesota conditions. If you try to grow Actinidia arguta for harvest, also plant male plants of several species, since flowering time and chromosome number vary among plants. various types Actinidia, do not rely on male Actinidia kolomikta plants as pollinators.

Actinidia

There is probably no greater joy for a gardener than growing some new plant. One of these welcome guests on garden plots Russia has become berry crop– actinidia. If anyone else doesn’t know what we’re talking about, then just remember kiwi. Kiwi is one of the southern varieties of actinidia.

In the 2000s, varieties of Polish selection, for example, such as Adam, Doctor Szymanowski and others, became pioneers in the market of actinidia seedlings in our country. For some time, these imported varieties were the only ones in our region, and therefore good. We purchased these varieties, unaware of the enormous and successful work of our scientists. However, domestic breeders have worked for decades and continue to work to improve the varieties of this berry crop, making them more suitable for our cold regions.

Judge for yourself: imported varieties are not winter-hardy enough for northern regions Russia, but the new varieties of actinidia, bred by our breeders, feel good even during severe frosts. It should also be noted that the work of domestic scientists also affected the quality of the fruits themselves: the berries turned out to be large and sugary (all gardeners appreciate this). What taste qualities they acquired! Now actinidia with apple, strawberry, pineapple, balsam, banana, fig, grape, and date flavors grow in gardens; There are even those berries that have a candy, actinidia (unlike anything else and very pleasant) and pepper flavor. One of the most outstanding breeders, thanks to whom such diversity became possible, is Ella Ioganovna Kolbasina.

E.I. Kolbasina began to actively study actinidia on the island. Sakhalin since 1953, and 30 years later, in the 1980s, successfully introduced it into culture in the Moscow region. It was thanks to her active and many years of work that domestic gardeners received 27 new varieties, which successfully passed the test and were entered into the State Register of the Russian Federation as plants adapted for cultivation in our country. What else can you say about new items? domestic selection actinidia? Each variety has stood the test of time, so many plants from 5 species (which is more than 200 varieties) have been studied and grown for 30 years in the Moscow region. And, as practice shows, all these varieties of domestic selection feel great in open fields with a northern slope (not only that: without supports, without watering, without fertilizer, without weeding). As practice has shown, if in unfavorable conditions breeding they survive and give good harvest, then, subject to agricultural technology, the yield, quality of fruits and appearance plants exceed all expectations.

Speaking about the origin of actinidia, it is important to note that in nature they are found growing wild in the Far East. Although their range previously covered most of Russia, glaciations narrowed their habitat to the Far Eastern taiga. And the fact that actinidia survived in those difficult conditions indicates that it is a hardy plant. And even now the Far East does not please the liana with good weather - cold winters and cool summers. Therefore, planting this berry crop today on the territory middle zone, we simply return it to its native habitats and most often transfer it even to Better conditions than in their modern homeland.

According to frost resistance, actinidia species can be arranged in the following order:

Actinidia kolomikta (up to -45 -50 C);

Actinidia arguta, a. hybrid, a. giraldi (up to -28 -40 C);

Actinidia polygamum (up to -28 -35 C);

Actinidia purpurea (up to – 25 C);

Actinidia chinensis (kiwi) (up to -8 -15C).

It is worth emphasizing that for the Moscow Region, and indeed for central Russia in general, type a is not at all suitable. Chinese (kiwi), but here it is. kolomikta will be able to adapt to a much harsher climate than the middle zone.

All actinidia suffer from late spring and early autumn frosts along with northern grape varieties. However, the trend that has emerged in recent decades towards a reduction in the period of frost and its intensity (due to global climate change) has very sharply increased the prospects of actinidia for the middle zone. Actinidia has become almost invulnerable and is confidently marching north!

The taste qualities of this berry crop are worthy of special attention. Many new products of actinidia selection are similar in taste to kiwi, and to be more precise, to the fruits of a. sweet (kiwi is the commercial name). Breeders from New Zealand have been creating this hybrid for 80 years, trying to improve wild a. Chinese. Well done, they did it successfully, but, unfortunately, their plant is not suitable for our cold regions. However, again returning to our domestic breeders, new varieties of actinidia have appeared. And they surpassed kiwi in many respects, especially in taste and aroma. Firstly, unlike kiwi, the skin is very thin, hairless and tender. The taste of the fruit is balanced, harmonious and it can be sweet, sweet and sour and even peppery. Breeders also “decorated” some types of actinidia: the skin and pulp can be not only green, but also olive, purple and orange. The basis for the excellent taste of these fruits is their consistently high sugar content. The best modern varieties offered to you, the sugar content of the fruit pulp does not fall below 10%, sometimes reaching 17% - this is comparable to melon and grapes, and covers the majority of fruit and berry crops traditional for the middle zone.

Further in this article, many varieties of actinidia of domestic selection are listed by species. You can purchase all of these plants at Zilli-on online store.

Actinidia Kolomikta

This type of actinidia is quite well known and popular. The most frost-resistant species. It is often called small sultana, raisin and arctic beauty. This species got its name “kolomikta” because of the variegated color of the leaves (translated it means “burning, blinding”). A. kolomikta is recognized by scientists as the most cold-resistant species (remember that it is not afraid of 50-degree frosts). That is why she is sometimes called the Arctic beauty. It is distinguished by early fruiting: two-year-olds produce the first harvest the next year after planting in the spring. Lives for more than 50 years. The fruits fall off (except for the Moma variety).

The liana can grow up to seven meters in height. Most plants are self-sterile. In this regard, next to the female varieties, it is necessary to plant several male varieties (usually eight female plants Two or three pollinators are enough, it is better that the varieties of pollinators are different - the harvest will be more abundant and tastier). This species has one distinctive feature, which makes it interesting not only as a berry crop, but also as ornamental plant. We are talking about the variegated leaves of the plant. By the beginning of summer, their color changes: they become white-pink-green. It is the male plants that change color to a greater extent. This is worth considering if you decide to buy actinidia seedlings. Berries have a different aroma: most often it depends on the plant variety. Looking at the varieties of this species listed below, you can see that there is a pineapple, strawberry, date, and fig aroma (it can come from several combinations at the same time).

Kolomikta is the record holder among all known berries for ascorbic acid content, second only to some types of rose hips. In 2 berries - as a rule, daily requirement adult.

Varieties of Actinidia kolomikta:

Variety name		Berry weight/size (mm)
Waffle (new variety)	Strongly elongated, cylindrical shape. The color of the skin is olive green, dark olive. Sometimes there is a blush. Average SS.	3.0 g (up to 6.0 g), 30x12x11	Sweet and sour, strong actinidic aroma. Ascorbic acid – 1544 mg, sugar – 11.2%, acidity – 1.2%
Grape	The berry is oval. The color is matte, olive green, dark olive. Sometimes there is a blush. Early SS.	2.3 g., 23x14x10	Sour-sweet/sweet, marmalade-apple aroma. Ascorbic acid – 1562 mg, sugar – 15.4%, acidity – 2.2%
Gourmand (new variety)	The fruit is large, cylindrical. The color of the skin is olive green, with longitudinal light stripes. Average SS.	4.2 g (up to 5.3 g), 32x18x14	Sweet and sour, pineapple aroma. Ascorbic acid – 1600 mg, acidity – 2.5%, sugar – 12.3%
Moma	Cylindrical berry. The skin is green, dirty green. There are longitudinal stripes. Late SS.	2.7 g., 21x15x14	Very sweet, pineapple aroma. Ascorbic acid – 1224 mg, sugar – 13.0%, acidity – 1.5%
Folk	Oval, slightly flattened fruits. The color is yellowish-green, olive-green, uniform. Average SS.	3.8 g (up to 4.4 g), 22x19x15	Sweet and sour, apple aroma. Ascorbic acid – 1700 mg, sugar – 12.7%, acidity – 1.18%
Festive	Strongly elongated, cylindrical shape. The color of the skin is uniform, yellowish-green, dirty green. Early SS.	3.0 g (up to 3.5 g), 29x14x13	Sweet/slightly sour-sweet, apple aroma. Ascorbic acid – 1900 mg, acidity – 1.4%, sugar – 12.7%
Homestead	The berries are cylindrical, elongated. Color dark olive, olive green. Early SS.	4.5 g (up to 4.9 g), 34x17x15	Sourish-sweet, apple-pineapple aroma. Ascorbic acid – 1568 mg, acidity – 1.4%, sugar – 10%
Sweet tooth	The shape is cylindrical, elongated. The color of the berry is yellowish-green or olive green. Early SS.	2.0 g (up to 2.5 g), 24x11x10	Sweet, with the aroma of marmalade. Ascorbic acid – 1618 mg, sugar – 12.2%
Magpie	The fruits are cylindrical, strongly elongated. The skin is olive green. Early SS.	2.5 g (up to 2.7 g), 28x12x10	Sweet, actinidic aroma. Ascorbic acid – 2200 mg
Fantasy Gardens (new variety)	Strongly elongated, cylindrical berry, yellowish-green in color. There is blush and longitudinal light stripes. Early SS.	3.0 g (up to 3.9 g), 33x14x13	Sweet and sour, pineapple aroma. Ascorbic acid – 1900 mg, acidity – 1.1%, sugar – 14.5%

Actinidia Arguta

Actinidia of this species can grow up to seven meters. They are considered one of the most vigorous, durable and powerful plants in the Actinidia family from the Far East. Loves the sun. The plant, including the new actinidia selection, cannot boast of the same decorative leaves as a. kolomikta. But this species has another advantage - larger fruits, their almost complete non-shattering, more bountiful harvest and often maximum sugar content. Also, new varieties of actinidia arguta have different aromas: melon, banana, grape and many others. It is characterized by less precociousness than kolomikta and polygam: two-year-olds produce the first harvest 2-3 years after planting in the spring. More durable: lives up to 100 years.

Listed below are some of the most popular varieties of this species.

Varieties of actinidia arguta:

Variety name	Description/Ripening time (SS)	Berry weight/size (mm)	Taste/aroma/content of useful elements (100g)
Balsamnaya (promising variety)	An oval fruit with a dirty green, dark olive color. The color is uniform. Late SS	5.3 g (up to 8.1 g), 24x22x18	Sourish-sweet, balsamic aroma
Dacha	Large cylindrical, barrel-shaped berries. The color is yellowish-green. Average SS.	5g (up to 6g), 26x21x19	Sweet and sour
Geneva	Barrel-shaped, cylindrical shape. Color red-green. Late SS.	5 g (up to 8 g), 27x25x23	Sweet, light honey aroma
Zvezdnaya (new variety)	Cylindrical berry shape. The color is olive green with a reddish blush. Middle late SS.	4 g (up to 6 g), berry length – 25-35 mm	Sweet and sour, pineapple aroma
Green balm	Oval fruit with olive green color. Middle late SS	8 g (up to 10 g)	Unusual, pleasant taste, sweet with a slight sourness
Golden braid (promising variety)	The shape of the fruit is cylindrical. The skin is green, yellowish-green. Late SS.	6 g (up to 9.8 g), 27x19x16	Sweet, apple flavored
Ilona (new variety)	Cylindrical, laterally compressed fruits. Olive green color. Late SS.	4 g (up to 8 g), 35x28x25	Sourish-sweet, fruity aroma
Lunar	The berries are large, cylindrical. The skin is olive green. Middle late SS.	4 g (up to 6 g), 29x25x23	Sourish-sweet
Mikhnevskaya (promising variety)	The fruits are cylindrical, olive green in color. Middle late SS.	Up to 10 g	Sourish-sweet, pineapple aroma, one of the most delicious
Primorskaya	Elongated oval shape. The skin is shiny, green, yellowish-green. Late SS.	6.6 g (up to 8.3 g), 24x21x18	Sweet-sour, apple aroma
September	Elliptical shape. The berries are dark green. Average SS.	7 g (up to 10 g), diameter 26 mm.	Sweet/sweet and sour, pineapple aroma. Ascorbic acid – 183 mg, acidity – 1.1%, sugar – 17.5%
Taiga emerald	Short, cylindrical shape. The color is matte, uniform, dark green. Average SS.	3.6 g, 21x17x15	Sourish-sweet, strawberry aroma. Ascorbic acid – 70.4 mg, sugar – 12.7%, acidity 1.6%
Relay race (promising variety)	The berries are oval in shape, the sides are compressed. The color is green, dirty green. Middle late SS.	Up to 17.2 g (one of the largest fruits)	Sweet and sour, apple-pineapple aroma.

Actinidia polygamum

Perhaps one of the features of this plant is that ripe berries have a beautiful orange color. In addition to this advantage, new varieties of actinidia are rich in biologically active substances - carotenoids (competes with sea buckthorn and carrots). At the same time, berries contain small quantities organic acids, which makes this species especially interesting for those who need dietary nutrition. It is impossible not to mention the unusual and wonderful taste qualities ah actinidia polygam - tastes a little like Bell pepper and figs! Tasty and unusual. High palatability and fig-like taste are ensured by excellent sugar content in modern varieties - 12% or more. Slightly unripe fruits have a strong, burning taste - be careful! When fully ripe and softened, the pungency disappears. There are varieties in which the fruits have a taste when ripe hot pepper- they make excellent sauces, adjika, etc. - like hot peppers. It is worth noting that not only the fruits of the plant have nutritional value. Very part in spring salads young shoots with leaves are added (can also be used simply with soy sauce, the taste is similar to watercress). This species has a very fragrant flowers, smell like jasmine. Interestingly, actinidia polygamum is valued not only by gardeners, but also by our smaller brothers - cats. They love to chew on these plants more than other types of actinidia, so it is worth initially thinking about how to protect them from these pests.

Polygam, like kolomikta, is distinguished by its precociousness: two-year-olds produce their first harvest the next year - a year after planting in the spring. Lives for more than 50 years.

Varieties of actinidia polygam:

Variety name	Description/Ripening time (SS)	Berry weight/size (mm)	Taste/aroma/content of useful elements (100g)
Beta	Cylindrical berry, orange-red skin. Late SS.	3.7 g (up to 4.0 g), 28x15x14	Figs - sweet pepper, peppery fig aroma. Ascorbic acid – 162 mg, carotenoids – 6.4 mg%
Firebird	Elongated, cylindrical fruit. The skin of the berries is dark orange. Late SS.	5.0 g (up to 5.6 g), 28x17x14	Hot pepper, faint peppery aroma. Ascorbic acid – 139.4 mg, sugar – 11.5%, acidity – 0.4%
Yellow spindle (promising variety)	Elongated, oval berry. Coloration from reddish to orange color. Late SS.	5.3 g (up to 6.4 g), 26x17x17	Figs - sweet pepper, peppery fig aroma. Ascorbic acid – 89 mg, sugar – 12.6%, acid – 0.6%
Zlata (promising variety)	The berries are cylindrical-elongated. The color of the fruit is orange. Middle late SS.	Up to 6.5 g (one of the most productive varieties)
Lesnaya (promising variety)	Elongated, cylindrical fruits. Color orange. Middle late SS.	Up to 7.8 g (one of the largest-fruited varieties)	Sweet, pleasant taste, figs - bell pepper, peppery fig aroma.
Ogonyok	Elongated, conical shape. The skin is shiny, orange. Late SS.	3.2 g (up to 4.0 g), 27x14x13	Figs - sweet pepper, peppery fig aroma.
Autumn (promising variety)	Oval fruit with a dark orange color. Late SS.	3.3 g, 23x16x15	Figs - sweet pepper, peppery fig aroma. Ascorbic acid -172.4 mg, sugar - 15.4%, acidity - 0.58%
Spicy	Widely oval fruit shape. Dark orange color of glossy skin. Late SS.	3.5 g, 23x17x16	Hot pepper, peppery aroma. Ascorbic acid – 151 mg, sugar – 14.2%, acidity – 0.56%
Pepper (promising variety)	The berry is cylindrical, elongated. The skin is reddish, matte. Late SS.	4.7 g (up to 5.6 g), 28x16x15	Figs - sweet pepper, peppery fig aroma. Ascorbic acid – 214 mg, sugar – 13.8%, acidity – 0.64%
Sweet number	Elongated cylindrical shape. The berry is orange-green in color. Late SS.	4 g (up to 5 g)	Delicate, sweet, fig - bell pepper, peppery fig aroma.
Patterned	The shape of the fruit is elongated, cylindrical. Orange color, there are longitudinal, barely visible stripes. Late SS.	5.4 g (up to 6.6 g), 3.0x17x15	Figs - sweet pepper, peppery fig aroma. Ascorbic acid – 89 mg, sugar – 5.2%, acidity – 0.9%, carotenoids – 2.7 mg%
Healing	Cylindrical shape. The skin is orange to dark orange in color. Late SS.	3.9 g (up to 4.2 g), 3.2x14x11	Figs - sweet pepper, peppery fig aroma. Ascorbic acid - 184 mg

Actinidia hybrid

As for this new subspecies, it appeared thanks to the breeder I.M. Shaitan from Kyiv. The scientist and his group crossed a. Arguta and A. purple. The goal of this hybridization is a new and improved species. As a result, new varieties of actinidia should have received high winter hardiness and large-fruitedness from a. arguta, and from a. purple - aroma, taste and bouquet type of flowering and fruiting. Here it is worth mentioning such varieties as Kyiv hybrid, Figurnaya, September. The new varieties had the intended qualities, but were not winter-hardy enough for the Moscow region. Then work on hybrid actinidia was continued by E.M. Sausage. Using the method of selecting seedlings, frost-resistant “babies” from Kyiv varieties were obtained. As a result of this outstanding breeder varieties appeared that not only had high rates of large-fruitedness, taste and bouquet (bouquet is multiple fruits, when not 1-3 fruits, but a whole cluster develops from one flower bud), but were well suited for central Russia. One of the new varieties of actinidia was even given the name a. hybrid Sausage (in honor of the breeder). Hybrid varieties, compared to a. argut, had an interesting color of both the skin and the pulp: the skin turned out to be pinkish or purple, and the flesh around the core was red (sometimes the core itself was also colored this way). It is these new varieties of actinidia, “babies” and seedlings that have shown high winter hardiness, that the Zilli-on online store is actively introducing into the market of the central Russian Federation.

Varieties of hybrid actinidia:

Variety name	Description/Ripening time (SS)	Berry weight/size (mm)	Taste/aroma/content of useful elements (100g)
Kyiv hybrid-10	Large, oval berries. The color is green. Late SS.	Up to 9.7 g	Delicate, sweet taste. Ascorbic acid – 140 mg, sugar – 16%, acidity – 0.8%
Kyiv large-fruited	The berries are large, broadly oval in shape. The skin is green, there are light subcutaneous specks. Late SS.	Up to 9.0 g	Sweet taste, delicate aroma. Ascorbic acid – 146.4 mg, sugar – 10.8%, acidity – 0.8%
Candy	The fruits are oval. The color is green. Late SS.	Up to 8.2 g	Taste sweet, fruity caramel aroma
Souvenir		Up to 8 g	The taste is sweet, fig-candy-fruit aroma
Hybrid Sausage	The fruits are oval. The color is greenish-red. Late SS.	Up to 16 g - record holder among hybrid actinidia near Moscow	The taste is sweet, surprisingly harmonious. The aroma is candy-fruity.

Actinidia giraldi

Agronomists and breeders classify this type of actinidia as variety a. Arguta, or at least consider them close relatives. But still, new varieties of actinidia giraldi differ from their “friend” in larger and sweeter fruits. Actinidia giraldi in wild form is very rare plant and is listed in the Red Book. Therefore, by planting this species on his plot, the gardener, sometimes without realizing it, contributes to the preservation of this valuable plant. The fruits of this species can vary in shape and size; like all actinidia, the size of the fruit can increase greatly after proper shaping and rationing of the harvest. For example, the Tuzemka variety bore 26 grams of berries after pruning. Its fruits are round, similar to heavenly apples, surprisingly harmonious and tasty, you want to eat them more and more...

Actinidia giraldi varieties:

Variety name	Description/Ripening time (SS)	Berry weight/size (mm)	Taste/aroma/content of useful elements (100g)
Juliana		10 g (up to 15.1 g) (one of the largest varieties)	Sweet, with pineapple-apple aroma
Native	The shape is barrel-shaped, compressed, shortened. Dirty green color of matte skin. Late SS.	7.5 g (up to 10.4 g), 22x30x18	Sweet, with a strong pineapple aroma
Alevtina	Compressed, barrel-shaped. Color green. Late SS.	12 g (up to 20 g) (one of the largest-fruited varieties)	Sweet, with pineapple-apple-strawberry aroma

Actinidia are vines with large leaves. Fragrant white and edible fruits. They are easily propagated by seeds, cuttings, and layering.

Plants of the genus Actinidia belong to the Actinidiaceae family.

As a fruit plant, the most widespread actinidia are Kolomikta and Argurata (sharp-toothed), and abroad - Actinidia Chinese (kiwi).

The plant is dioecious, therefore (when propagated by seeds) before flowering it is not known where the “boy” is and where the “girl” is.

Actinidia blooms late, in the second half of May, sometimes even in June. Female flowers appear one by one. They can be identified by the clearly visible yellow ovary at the base of the receptacle. Male flowers grow in bunches, with many stamens. One male plant pollinates ten female plants.

The fruits of Actinidia Arguta contain slightly less vitamin C than those of Actinidia Kolomikta.

Actinidia Arguta

This is a powerful vine, 10-20 m long. The plant is dioecious, less often polygamous. It blooms in June, the fruits ripen in September. The mass of fruits looks like gooseberries, weighing from 5 to 15 g.

Actinidia Kolomikta

Actinidia Kolomikta is in many ways similar to Arguta, but is distinguished by the non-simultaneous ripening of small fruits weighing 3 g throughout August. There are also differences in the leaves of actinidia. In Kolomikta they are rough, and in Arguta they are smooth.

The plants are quite winter-hardy and do not tolerate air and soil drought well.

The best of vines. Actinidia arguta in the garden. Reproduction, cultivation, planting and care

Actinidia grows wild in the south of the Russian Far East, on the island. Sakhalin, in Japan, China. In the flora of the Far Eastern forests there are 4 species of actinidia: actinidia kolomikta, arguta, polygam, giralda. At the beginning of the 20th century. I.V. Michurin began selective selection of actinidia, developed the first varieties, some of them are still cultivated (Pineapple Michurina, Clara Zetkin). In the 60s in Ukraine, I.M. Shaitan continued breeding work with actinidia, as a result the first varieties of actinidia argut were bred.

So, when growing actinidia in the garden you need: a trellis support for gartering shoots, high humidity air and soil, mulching trunk circle and shade in the first three years of life.

REPRODUCTION OF ACTINIDIA

Actinidia is propagated in two ways: seed and vegetative.

The first method is used when performing breeding work and has no practical significance for growing seedlings.

It can be propagated vegetatively using several methods.

When propagating by winter lignified cuttings using the pickling technique, the cuttings are cut to a length of about 20 cm, tied into bunches and stored in damp sawdust. A month before planting they are kilched ( different ways) and planted. Believe my many years of experience, this method is not so effective to use.

DETAILS ABOUT CULTURE

Actinidia arguta, selected by the Kyiv Botanical Garden, has been growing on my plot for more than 20 years - the varieties Kyiv large-fruited and Kyiv hybrid. Actinidia arguta is a liana up to 7 m high (wild forms reach 30 m) with smooth branches and grey-brown exfoliating bark. Surprisingly, many gardeners who visit my nursery do not know what kind of plant this is. Meanwhile, actinidia is an extremely valuable crop in terms of its characteristics and is quite suitable for our climate. Perhaps in the future it will take one of the leading places among fruit plants in our region, and when landscaping houses and other buildings, it will displace grapes, since it is more resistant to various diseases and pests, as well as negative temperatures V winter period. I never hide actinidia in my garden.

The main obstacle to the introduction of actinidia into culture is the ignorance of the majority of gardeners about the properties of its various species and varieties, the conditions of growth and development over the centuries in their homeland.

Actinidia - forest plant, it grows in the shade under trees, in the struggle for light the vine wraps around the trunks and reaches the tops of the supporting tree, where it blooms and bears fruit. Conclusion - when growing actinidia in a garden in culture, support is needed. Actinidia has a superficial root system. Every autumn, falling leaves cover the ground, forming a natural layer of mulch, and thereby protect actinidia roots during snowless frosts in winter, and from drying out in summer. Natural mulch also retains moisture, and high humidity- one of the most important conditions normal development plants. This means that when growing actinidia in the garden, the soil in the area where the root system is located must be mulched.

It is best to propagate actinidia from summer stem cuttings ( green cuttings). Before planting, choose a place and prepare a bed for a cold greenhouse. It should be located in partial shade or even in the shade - in no case should direct sunlight fall on the garden bed. The soil in the selected area is dug up with rotted humus and leveled with a rake. The bed is covered with clean river sand on top (layer 3-4 cm). Sand containing lime is not suitable, as it inhibits the growth and development of both young and adult vines. A frame of arcs is installed on the bed prepared in this way and covered with film. The greenhouse is ready.

Cuttings are cut from the lower and middle parts of the semi-lignified shoots of this year that have begun to turn brown (separately from female and male plants), the thickness of which is 3-7 mm, and immediately immerse the cut part in water. Then cuttings with three buds are cut. Under the lower bud a cut is made at an angle, above the upper bud an even cut is made, with two bottom sheets completely removed, and the top one shortened by half. This reduces the evaporation of moisture from the cuttings and promotes their better rooting. The prepared cuttings are tied into bundles and placed with their lower ends in a stimulant solution for 8-10 hours. For actinidia, the growth stimulator IMC - indolylbutyric acid - is most suitable. After keeping in the stimulator, the cuttings are planted in a greenhouse at an angle of 30-45 ° so that the middle bud is on the surface of the sand or is slightly buried in it. The distance in the row should be 10 cm, between the rows - 15 cm. After planting, the bed is watered and covered with film. Optimal temperature air for rooting -25 °C.

GROWING SEEDLINGS

In 2011, on June 7, I planted cuttings, 250 pieces each, in two greenhouses. Each greenhouse contained 4 rows of female and 1 row of male plants.

Actinidia plants are dioecious, adapted to cross-pollination. The yield of fruits on vines depends on the ratio of female and male plants in the plantings. The optimal ratio is for 1 male plant - 4 female ones. Caring for the plants consisted of daily morning watering from a watering can and airing - removing the film for 10-15 minutes, and then covering the plantings again. Weeds were removed manually.

On June 17, 10 days after planting, 80% of the buds sprouted from the axils of the two upper leaves, and after 20 days all the planted cuttings began to grow, which indicates their successful rooting. 40 days after planting, I first mulched the seedlings with sawdust (10 cm layer), and then began hardening them - I opened the film for a short period, increasing the ventilation time every day. A week later I removed the film from the greenhouses. Now that the growing conditions for plants have changed (air humidity has decreased), I increased the amount of watering, and began to water in the morning and evening. Gradually the plants adapted to the new conditions, and after 10 days I returned to one watering a day - and so on until the end of the season.

In September I carefully examined the plants. All 500 seedlings took root and took root. Thus, I have experimentally established that when propagated by green cuttings (of course, with strict adherence to technology), the survival rate of seedlings is 100%. Therefore, I consider this method the most cost-effective.

Annual seedlings do not take root well when planted on permanent place into the garden, it is better to grow them up to two years, and only then replant them or sell them for planting. In the nursery, I cover annual seedlings for the winter with leaves (a layer of 10-15 cm), and on top with film. In the spring I open them and transplant them into ridges for growing, doubling the distance in the row and between the rows. Cover with film and water once daily. When the plants begin to grow, I harden them, mulch with sawdust and remove the film. Actinidia requires moisture is not only in the root zone. Young vines love sprinkling in the morning and evening. In the fall, two-year-old seedlings are ready for planting in a permanent place. The described method is very convenient for the rapid propagation of actinidia, since it allows you to prepare almost any number of cuttings without much damage to the mother plants.

PLANTING AND CARE

Actinidia are planted and replanted at one to three years of age. Plants four years old and older, as a rule, do not take root. You can replant in both spring and autumn. Autumn planting is preferable, since the plants have time to take root before winter and begin to grow earlier in the spring. In addition, seedlings can be pruned only when autumn planting. Before planting, prepare holes measuring 60x60x60 cm and fill them with a mixture of loose soil and rotted humus. You can add 200 g of superphosphate, 30-40 g of potassium sulfate or 1-2 kg to each hole wood ash(at spring planting add another 150 g ammonium nitrate). The seedling is placed on a mound of fertile soil, the roots are evenly spread, and covered with soil. It is allowed to open the roots only immediately before planting - the plants take root thanks to small roots that are so small that 5 minutes are enough for them to dry out in the air and die. After planting and abundant watering, the soil around the seedling is mulched and a frame with film is installed or the plant is shaded. The distance between actinidia in the garden is at least 2 m.

In conditions of actinidia culture, a trellis is necessary. The vines climb along the support spontaneously. There is no point in removing them from their support for the winter; they easily tolerate our winters and do not need shelter. They need to be trimmed in the fall after the leaves fall. This cannot be done in the spring, because after the sap flows, the pruned vine begins to “cry”, the plants become dehydrated and weakened, and may even die. When pruning, it is necessary to unfold the vine and remove it from the support, cut off all dry and thickening, old and unripe shoots, evenly place the vine on the support and re-tie it to the trellis. Since actinidia is for our gardens for now new culture, it is not damaged by diseases and pests, however, in natural habitats on wild plants There are both pathogens and pests. The main pest of actinidia in our gardens is the cat. Cats really like the smell of young shoots, and they eat the sprouts completely. Therefore, young plantings must be fenced with a net.

In conclusion, I want to say that actinidia grows well and bears fruit in all regions of Ukraine. Produces environmentally friendly fruits of excellent quality, does not require chemical treatment or shelter for the winter. I hope that gardeners in our country will appreciate it.