'Issai'

Season Overview

Description

The kiwi berry 'Issai' is a handsome climbing shrub that stands out visually with its decorative foliage and lovely white flowers. It is an unusual attraction in the garden thanks to its tasty, berry-like fruit. With a climbing support, (bot.) Actinidia arguta 'Issai' adorns many places. An exotic plant that does well in our latitudes. It grows quickly and can cope with low temperatures in winter. (Bot.) Actinidia arguta 'Issai', also known as mini kiwi or kiwi berry, owes its name to its small, berry-like fruits. These are oval in shape and grow to a maximum size of three centimetres. They have a smooth, green, edible skin. Their flesh is green and contains tiny black seeds. It tastes deliciously sweet with a hint of refreshing acidity. The delicious fruit is harvested from September to October. The kiwi berry 'Issai' grows upright, bushy, broad and climbing. It winds its way up climbing supports and reaches a height of three to four meters. Its width is between four and eight meters. With a growth rate of 50 to 100 centimetres per year, it grows incredibly quickly and adorns many areas of the garden with its green splendour. Its final size depends on the climbing support. This beautiful variety is considered self-fertile, but another pollinator nearby is always an advantage to increase the yield. Its graceful white flowers appear in May and delight the eye until June. The flowers are small and cup-shaped. The kiwi berry 'Issai' has attractive foliage in a strong, glossy green. The leaves are elliptical to ovoid, pointed at the front and have a serrated edge. They turn bright yellow in the fall. The kiwi berry 'Issai' winds its way up pergolas and fruit trellises. It is an enchanting eye-catcher when it covers fences and walls. Actinidia arguta 'Issai' is perfect for greening house facades. The climbing plant thrives optimally in sunny or semi-shady, sheltered locations. Ideally, its base should be in partial shade. It loves humusy, nutrient-rich, well-drained and moist soil. The plant needs regular watering to prevent the root area from drying out. Fertilizer is beneficial in spring. Annual pruning is carried out in the fall. In winter, Actinidia arguta 'Issai' needs protection in the event of extremely severe frost. The delicate, gooseberry-sized fruits of the kiwi taste delicious when eaten fresh and are rich in vitamins.

Growing tips

Location and soil:

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Light germinator

Germination temperature

20 - 25 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

250 cm

Row spacing

250 cm

Seeding depth

0.5 cm