Hardy Kiwi

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Cultivar Group Hardy Kiwi

Species
Actinidia arguta

Cultivar group
Kiwifruit group

Origin
Northern China

A small, green to purple skinned, fruit similar to kiwifruit, hardy kiwifruit is an edible, berry-sized fruit of a Cultivar Group of the woody vine Actinidia arguta [Note the image, a U.S. nickel is included for comparison]. Often sweeter than the kiwifruit, hardy kiwifruit can be eaten whole and need not be peeled. Thin-walled, its exterior is smooth and leathery, providing a deceiving contrast to the fuzzy, brown exterior of its larger sibling fruits.

The product of a fast-growing, climbing vine the hardy kiwifruit is very hardy (hence the name), and is capable of surviving slow temperature drops to -32°C (-25°F). The vines need a frost-free growing season of about 150 days, but are not damaged by late freezes. The vines can also be grown in low-chill areas.

The vines of the hardy kiwifruit possess a catnip like smell which can attract cats.

[edit] Origin and Distribution

The hardy kiwifruit is native to Korea, Northern China, and Russian Siberia. Attempts to commercialize the fruit have hitherto been unsuccessful due to its short shelf-life and sporadic tendencies to ripen. Attempts are being made however to bring the fruit to greater bear, and commercial production initiatives are underway in on a small scale in South America, New Zealand, Europe, and Oregon & Washington, USA, as well with some organic growers in northern New England.