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Actinidia kolomikta - (Maxim.&Rupr.)Maxim.

Common Name

Family

Actinidiaceae

Synonyms

Kolomikta mandschurica. Regel. Trochostigma kolomikta. Rupr.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Coniferous woodlands and hedges in mountains throughout Japan[58, 126]. Mountain mixed forests in open places at elevations of 1600 - 2900 metres in China[266].

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, E. Siberia.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

A decidious Climber growing to 10 m (32ft 10in).
It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen from Oct to November. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Bees, insects.The plant is not self-fertile.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils..It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.It requires moist soil.


(c) ken Fern, Plants For A Future 2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/89972501@N00/158904375

Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit; Leaves.

Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[1, 3, 105, 183]. Sweet and agreeable[1, 74]. It contains up to 5 times the vitamin C of blackcurrants[74]. The ovoid fruit is hairless and pale orange when fully ripe and is up to 25mm in diameter[266]. It contains a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[K]. Young leaves - cooked[105, 177]. Used as a potherb or added to soups[183].

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. None known

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details

Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil[11, 200]. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production[200]. Another report says that the plant prefers semi-shade[160]. Prefers a sheltered position[200]. When grown in a sunny position the leaves normally develop a strong variegation[219]. Prefers a neutral soil, plants become more variegated when they are grown in a limy soil[200]. Very cold resistant, dormant plants are hardy to at least -30°c but new growth in spring can be cut back by late frosts[74, 160, 200]. 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, 3, 200]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are some named varieties that have been selected for their edible fruit[183, 200]. 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[219]. 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[219]. Fruits are produced on second year wood or on fruit spurs on older wood[126], any pruning is best carried out in the winter[219]. The flowers are sweetly scented[184]. This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[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]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very high percentage[113]. Cuttings of ripe wood, October/November in a frame.

Expert comment

Author
(Maxim.&Rupr.)Maxim.

Botanical References
1158200

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[3]Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit.

A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.

[11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.

A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[58]Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation)

The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.

[74]Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR.

An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.

[105]Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World.

The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

[113]Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.

A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.

[126]? The Plantsman. Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985.

Excerpts from the periodical giving cultivation details and other notes on some of the useful plants including Actinidia and Wisteria species.

[133]Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1.

Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[160]Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.

Fascinating reading, this is an annual publication. Some reports do seem somewhat exaggerated though.

[177]Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption.

An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[184]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs.

Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1900 species and cultivars.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[219]Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls

A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.

[266] Flora of China

On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Judith Chisholm	Tue Mar 6 2007

I bought one of these plants from a nursery. It has just begun to sprout its leaves and my cat (who is nearly 13 and although in generally good health, has been vomiting iun the morning) keeps eating the Actinidia Kolomikta young leaves. I am wondering if there is something in them that is curative for my cat, and if so, what so I can find him a substitute and save my plant. Would you have any idea? Many thanks.

Elizabeth H.
Ken Fern, Plants for a Future	Tue Mar 6 2007

As far as I am aware, the cat is being attracted by the smell of the plant - it is probably somewhat similar to certain cat pheromones. This is certainly the case in some other plants that are particularly attractive to cats, such as catmint, Nepeta cataria. There are a number of other plants that are also very attractive to cats and may serve to keep them off your Actinidia. The following list is by no means exhaustive:- Bogbean, Menyanthes trifoliata Catmint, Nepeta cataria Jacob's Ladder, Polemonium caeruleum Abcess Root, Polemonium reptans Cat's Thyme, Teucrium marum Valerian, Valeriana officinalis Valeriana sambucifolia Incidently, your Actinidia is coming into leaf very early. You say that you bought it from a nursery, so I wonder if it is still in a pot. If so, it would be a good idea not to plant it out yet, but to keep the plant in a place that is protected from frosts until late spring or early summer. This is because, although the dormant plant is quite hardy, the young shoots in spring can be damaged by even quite light frosts. If you have already planted it out, then I would advise you to try and cover the plant on nights when frost threatens - something like an old lace curtain will protect it from light frosts.

Elizabeth H.
Chris	Sun Apr 8 2007

Thanks for the information. I bought one kiwi vine and kept in inside over the winter. I'm just about ready to plant it outside on a chain link fence that is covered with grape vines in the summer. I'd like the two plants to twine around one another. I expect to have another opportunity to buy a second one this summer but don't know how to tell if I have a male or female plant. If I want fruit, sounds like I'll need one of each. How can I tell them apart when they are just 6 inches tall? Thanks, Chris

Elizabeth H.
Liz Bourke	Sat Jul 26 2008

I bought an Actinidia Kolomikta from a reputable nursery. I was hoping that after 2 months I would start to see the variegation beginning on the leaves from white to pink to green, but my plant is obstinately looking exactly the same as when I bought it: boring mid-green and doesn't appear to be growing taller or bushier. When I bought it, I think it would be in its first year's growth. I have fed it twice with Miracle Gro. What else can I do to encourage variegation and to make this plant happy? Thanks. Liz

Elizabeth H.
Jacqueline Allsop	Sun Sep 14 2008

We bought two plants two years ago that had a few pink and white tipped leaves. The plants didnt grow in the first year and we thought they had died when the leaves fell in early september.But come springtime they started to come into bud and have grown to about eight feet tall. The leaves did not colour up and the plants are now dying back.

Elizabeth H.
	Wed May 27 2009

Liz Bourke - I understand it takes about 4 years before the leaves become variegated.

Elizabeth H.
jacqueline allsop	Wed Jun 17 2009

Our plants have now got variegated leaves after three years.

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