Lots of Ripe Kiwis in Deidesheim

Everybody knows the deliciously tasty, slightly sweet-sour fruit which contains lots of vitamin C. However, few people know that this fruit also thrives here in the Palatinate’s winegrowing climate.
With the right climbing support, the deciduous plant reaches a height of 8 meters with its fast-twining shoots covering large climbing frames and pergolas in no time. The young shoots have a strikingly reddish brown color and are covered with fine downy hair just like the bottom of the dark green, oval leaves. It is especially important when harvesting to know that kiwis are usually a dioecious species, that is, there are different plants with male and female blossoms. In recent times, however, monoecious varieties have also been grown. At first, the blossoms have a cream color until they take on a yellow ocher later. They are usually about 3.5 cm in size and blossom on the previous year’s plant in May and June.

Common to all types of Actinidia is the fact that they grow best in good, slightly humid and nutritious soils with lots of sunshine and a warm climate. If a kiwi plant, which is sensitive to frost, freezes back, it will quickly sprout again after it has been cut back.

The Actinidia chinensis is native to China where it has been cultivated in the broad river valleys for a very long time. Here in the Palatinate, only breeder plants are grown. A plant related to the Chinese species is the Actinidia arguta, with larger leaves of 8-12 cm. Its blossoms have dark crimson stamens, its sweet and edible fruits containing lots of vitamin C and resembling gooseberries. The Actinidia kolomicta, also known as Arctic Beauty, has longer leaves (up to 15 cm), which take on a white or pale pink color in early summer. The blossoms of the plant, which also bears very tasty fruit, are white and fragrant.