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Hardy to -25°F. Fruit ripens earlier than other cordifolia varieties and is just as sweet - the sweetest of all kiwis. Pollinated by male hardy or fuzzy kiwi - A. arguta or A. deliciosa. Vigorous vine grows up to 40' quickly, and can be trained much like a grape to limit spread and encourage fruit set. Smaller fruits than fuzzy kiwi, but sweeter, smooth skinned and about a month earlier ripening. Produces fruit in large clusters. Pretty, fragrant flowers. Sun or shade tolerant.
ZONE: 5-9
POLLINATION/BLOOM TIME: Spring.
RECOMMENDED GROWING AND CARE:
Male will provide hundreds of showy white blooms with fluffy yellow stamens over 2-3 weeks in April/May; female produces 1/5 the number of blooms; flowers have thin white stamens (no pollen on them) by comparison. Dormant prune in February for airflow and ease of harvest. Spur bearer. Prune like grapes. Provide very sturdy trellis especially for female vines - males can be kept tightly pruned or allowed to ramble up tall trees. Mid-late September, about 1 month before fuzzy kiwis. Unripe, they will hold for 2 months in cooler; when ripened, 3 weeks. Check vines starting early Sept for soft fruit - when you find one soft, pick all fruit to avoid wild animals harvesting your yield. Fruit will continue to ripen after being picked off vine.
CHILL HOURS: Low: 300 hours below 45F.
DISEASE RESISTANCE: Very good. If cold kills the vines, they can re-sprout from their own roots the following year.
SIZE AT MATURITY: 24' x 15' unpruned
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