Organic Kiwi Plant Solissimo (self-fertile) - Actinidia chinensis

The Organic Solissimo Self-Fertile Kiwi 'Renact' is a self-fertile variety of Actinidia chinensis. It is useful for its ability to produce large fruits without the need for a male kiwi nearby, saving space in the garden. It is a vigorous and decorative climber that produces white flowers in May-June, which turn orange when fully open and have a pleasant fragrance. The hairy brown kiwis are usually harvested in November. They have a sweet, juicy flesh, rich in vitamin C. The foliage is also interesting, lush, ornamental, dark green on top, and lighter underneath. This abundant plant should be trained on a sturdy support after careful planting in fertile, preferably non-alkaline, soil, in filtered sunlight or partial shade.

The Solissimo Actinidia chinensis belongs to the Actinidiaceae family. It comes from Actinidia chinensis, native to central and western regions of China. This vigorous liana can grow up to 3 metres (10 feet) per year under favourable conditions, reaching a height of 6 metres (20 feet) and a spread of 4 metres (13 feet). Its long sinuous stems can become as thick as a finger, forming an interlacing structure that can break a fragile support. They bear large oval and entire leaves, dark matte green on top, lighter underneath, covered with tiny red hairs, just like the stems. The leaves are wide and ovate on sterile shoots, more rounded and heart-shaped on fertile shoots. From the third or fourth year of cultivation, flowers appear on the previous year's branches, grouped in clusters. Flowering occurs in May-June, with fragrant flowers with wide cream-white petals that turn orange, measuring 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in) in diameter, surrounding a heart of fertile stamens. The fruits are large fleshy oval to elliptical berries, weighing about 60 grams, with a light brown thin skin covered in fine silky hairs. The flesh is green, with numerous oily seeds. The harvest extends from late October to late November. It is abundant and has a good taste. The yield is around 60kg per mature plant, after 10 or 12 years of cultivation. This kiwi is a very good source of vitamin C, vitamin E, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

The Solissimo kiwi is a voracious plant that needs space to establish itself. It is necessary to provide a strong and large enough support to train the plant on a wall with a sturdy wire, a pergola, or a tree trunk. This plant is hardy, but it should be sheltered from cold winds. Harvest the fruits while still green, they will ripen three weeks later. They can be stored well in a cool place at 5°C, in a cellar, for over a month. The peeled fruit can be enjoyed fresh or mixed in an autumn fruit salad: pears, apples, Italia or Red Globe grapes, pineapple, for example, flavoured with dark rum and vanilla. They can also be used to make delicious jams and beautiful decorations on tarts.

This new variety resulting from a mutation is a real breakthrough. Before the emergence of the 'solissimo' kiwi, it was necessary to plant at least 2 plants (1 male + 1 female) to harvest kiwis. There were indeed self-fertile varieties, but they produced very small fruits.