Variegated Actinidium Colomix: Planting and Care

Increasingly, an unusual plant, actinidia, is used in our suburban areas for vertical planting of houses, arbors, fences, pergolas or verandas. Its other name - Amur gooseberries - suggests that in the wild this relict plant is found in Eastern and Central Asia and the Far East.

There are more than 30 species of this peculiar plant. But in Russia, under natural conditions, only three of its specially bred species grow: actinidium colomica, polygamous and acute. We also know the Chinese actinidia, but for us, its more familiar name is kiwi.

A plant that is more useful than a lemon

Actinidia are interesting for their decorative qualities. A distinctive feature of them is variegation, which is not typical of plants of temperate climate. The most common in our region is actinidium colomict. Planting and caring for this variety allows you to get a good harvest, even in the mid-range. It turns out that the frost-resistant Amur gooseberries are not only beautiful, but also a useful plant.

Actinidia berries are very rich in organic acids and vitamins, especially vitamin C. In terms of vitamins it surpasses both lemon and black currant, yielding slightly to the rose hips. Therefore, for many gardeners actinidium colomict, planting and caring for which - a very promising occupation, has become a favorite plant for growing.

Features of Actinidia

Actinidia colomicta is a curling, rapidly growing plant. Grow it on the supports, which are grape-trellises. It can be placed near the wall from the north-western, western and north-eastern sides. Pollinated by wind or insects, and in the absence of male pollinators, pollinated and its own pollen. Although in the latter case the harvest is much lower. But actinidia colomica September is a plant exclusively with female flowers.

Actinidia has a very beautiful, decoratively colored foliage. Color coloration is noticeable for 2-3 years. For example, the actinidium of the Adamite Colomix has bronzed leaves during dissolution. Then they become dark green with pink, white and crimson spots, and then they are bronzed again.

Reproduction of actinidia colomicta

Aktinidiya kolomikta, planting and care of which is completely uncomplicated, usually reproduces by seeds, which are sown after maturation, not later than in four months, otherwise they lose their germination. In March, after the stratification, the seeds are sown in boxes or cold hotbeds to a depth of 1-1.5 cm, and only next spring young seedlings are planted in the nursery.

In order to preserve varieties of actinidia, it is propagated and cuttings. Annual shoots somewhere in the middle of June cut into cuttings that have 2-3 eyes, and planted in a prepared hotbed. They are well rooted and by autumn even give an increase of up to 10 cm, but for the winter they should be sheltered in shallow, peat-warmed trenches. Then, young plants are grown on the ridges and planted on a permanent place only at two or three years of age.

Propagation also with lignified cuttings of actinidium colomict. Planting and nursing in this case consist in the fact that lignified shoots are harvested during autumn pruning of adult lianas and stored either in a trench or in a cellar. In February, they are cut into cuttings and planted in moistened sand in greenhouses, ensuring systematic watering. When the plant grows up to 5-7 cm, its apex is plucked so that the plant is bushy. And in mid-May, well-rooted and grown-up cuttings are planted in the nursery. So without much difficulty you can get this beautiful ornamental plant.