Actinidia coriacea

Habitat

Exposition

Plein soleil ou mi-ombre

Humidité

Humidité moyenne.

Sol

Tous sols.

pH

Sol acide ou calcaire

Rusticité

Zone 6

Habitat originel

Hedges and woods[126]. Thickets, 200 - 1000 metres from Kweichow and Szechuan to N.W. Yunnan[198].

Origine géographique

E. Asia - W. China in Sichuan and Baoxing provinces.

Comestibilité

• Fruits - crus ou cuits [3, 183].
• Small but very juicy and full of seeds [182].
• The fruit is up to 2cm long [198].
• It contains a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit [K].

Culture

• Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil [1, 200].
• Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production [200].
• Prefers a sheltered position [200].
• A fairly hardy plant, succeeding in many parts of the country[1], but young spring growth is susceptible to frost damage [160].
• Plants are semi-evergreen in mild winters [219].
• Fruits are formed on second year wood and also on fruit spurs on older wood[126], any pruning is best carried out in the winter [219].
• The flowers are softly scented [245].
• This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc [200].
• Plants are often erroneously labelled A. henryi in British nurseries [219].
• Les plantes de ce genre sont notamment résistantes aux armillaires (champignons) [200].
• Dioïque .
• Male and female plants must be grown if fruit and seed is required .

Propagation

• Graines - semez au printemps sous serre [133].
• It is probably best if the seed is given 3 months stratification[113], 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 [133].
• 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 [126].
• The seedlings are subject to damping off, they must be kept well ventilated [113].
• Cuttings of softwood as soon as ready in spring in a frame [K].
• Boutures de bois mi-mûr, Juillet/Août sous chassis .
• Very high percentage [113].
• Cuttings of ripe wood, October/November in a frame .