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Woody > Actinidia > Actinidia arguta > Actinidia arguta 'Issai'

Actinidia arguta

'issai'


Kiwi Vine, Tara Vine, Yang-tao




Origin:  Temperate East Asia
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

The hardy Kiwi Vine was originally called the Chinese gooseberry. This type of vine was found in Asia, Siberia, northern China and Korea. In 1877, an explorer brought a Japanese cultivar of the plant into the U.S. Soon after, other cultivars from Russia and Asia were introduced into home gardens and markets.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

"

Family
Actinidiaceae
Genus
Actinidia
Species
arguta
Cultivar
'issai'
Category
Woody
Type
Vine
USDA Hardiness Zone
5
Canadian Hardiness Zone
6
RHS Hardiness Zone
H5
Temperature (°C)
-4
Temperature (°F)
-25
Height
7.6 - 14.5 m
Spread
4.5 m - 6.2 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
May
General Description
A deciduous vine that produces edible fruit.
Landscape
Makes an excellent ornamental specimen or attractive privacy screening in both home, urban and commercial settings.
Cultivation
Plant in full sun with shelter from wind in a deep and well-drained, rich, loamy soil that is preferably neutral (although a range of pH will be tolerated). Pollination via insects, or by hand if grown under glass.
Growth
Fast
ID Characteristic
This vine is a dark green colour with unlobed, broad-ovate leaves in an alternate pattern with sharp serrations. In spring the vine has small, scented green and white flowers. In September to October grape-sized kiwi fruits develop and ripen.
Pests
Generally free from serious pests and diseases in temperate climates. May become victim to leafroller caterpillars, greedy scale, thrips, passion-vine hopper and rootknot ellworm if grown in a warmer region, as well as to bortytis (Pseudomonas viridiflava), bacterial blossom rot (Sclerotinia spp) and Phytophthora.
Bark/Stem Description
Reddish brownish bark. As a new plant the bark is a little glossy. As the vine gets older, it loses the glossiness and becomes a drier wood, peeling as the vine twists upward.
Leaf Description
Leaves are soft, smooth and mid-green in colour, growing to 15 cm in length. They are ovate to ovate-oblong in shape, sharply dentate with a cordate to rounded base.
Flower Description
Flowers are white and fragrant, growing up to 2.5 cm in diameter.
Fruit Description
Fruit is fleshy and yellow-green, oblong to subglobose, growing up to 2.5 cm in diameter, and is edible.
Colour Description
Brown-grey branches and vines. Green leaves in the spring that change to a golden-bronze colour in the autumn. Small, yellow-green fruits.
Texture Description
A smooth green leaf and fuzzy green fruits hence its common name of Kiwi Vine. Its leaf texture changes to rough and crumbly and yellows in colour in autumn.
Notable Specimens
Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Missouri Botanical Garden.
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in spring or autumn, or by semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summer, or by layering in winter.
Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)
Edible fruit.
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