Organic Kiwi Plant Jenny (self-fertile) - Actinidia deliciosa

The Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) Jenny Organic, grown organically, is a self-fertile variety, producing small fruits with green flesh. Both male and female flowers are present on the same plant, so it is not necessary to plant another kiwi plant nearby to obtain fruits. You can train it along a pergola, trellis, or arbour. Ideally, it should be planted in autumn or throughout the year in frost-free conditions, for harvesting around November, starting from the 4^th or 5^th year.

The Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis or deliciosa) also known as Chinese gooseberry or yang tao is the fruit of the Actinidia. It belongs to the Actinidiaceae family, just like its cousin the Kiwai (Actinidia arguta). Originating from China, the kiwi is a vigorous climbing liana, capable of growing up to 3m (10ft) per year under favourable conditions. This climbing plant should be trained on a sturdy support, such as a wall with strong wires, a trellis, an arbour, a tree trunk, or a fence. It can reach a height of 6m (20ft) and a spread of 4m (13ft) and requires pruning to control its growth.

Some varieties are self-fertile (male and female flowers on the same plant) and can be planted alone. Other varieties bear either male or female flowers and require the presence of a plant of the opposite sex for pollination. One male plant can pollinate approximately 5 to 6 female plants. Only female plants produce fruits.

The Kiwi is very hardy, able to withstand temperatures as low as -15°C, but it is sensitive to late frosts, as the buds freeze at -5°C. Its foliage is deciduous, falling in autumn and reappearing in spring. The stems bear large, ovate, entire leaves, dark matte green on the upper side and lighter underneath, covered, along with the stems, with small red hairs. From the third or fourth year of cultivation, clusters of flowers appear in May-June on the previous year's branches. These are fragrant flowers with broad, cream-white petals. Male flowers have numerous yellow stamens, while female flowers have white stigmas.

On female plants, flowering is followed by the formation of large, fleshy, ovoid berries, weighing approximately 60 grams. The thin skin is light brown and hairy for Actinidia deliciosa species or smooth for Actinidia chinensis species. The flesh is green, sometimes yellow for certain varieties, and contains numerous small black seeds. Kiwi is rich in vitamin C, fibre, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Harvesting takes place around November, before the frosts. The fruits can be picked even when they are still green as they continue to ripen after harvest. They can be stored well at a cool temperature of 5°C, in a cellar, for more than a month. Kiwi is ripe when it is soft to the touch. Place the kiwis next to apples or bananas to accelerate their ripening. Once peeled, kiwi can be enjoyed fresh or mixed with other autumn fruits, used in jams, or used to garnish pies and certain savory dishes.