Yellow Kiwi Duo

Duo of Minkigold and Minkimale Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis). The 'Minkimale' variety is a male plant that allows the 'Minkigold' plant to bear fruit, producing golden kiwis with yellow flesh and a slight apple fragrance. The kiwi must be trained along a pergola, trellis, or arbour. Planting is ideally done in autumn or any time of the year without frost, starting from the 4th or 5th year, for a harvest around November.

The Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis or deliciosa), also known as Chinese gooseberry, yang tao, or vegetable mouse, is the fruit of the Actinidia plant. It belongs to the Actinidiaceae family, like its cousin, the Kiwaï (Actinidia arguta). Originating from China, the kiwi is a vigorous climber, capable of growing 3m per year under favourable conditions. This climbing plant needs to be trained on sturdy support, such as a wall with solid wires, a trellis, an arbour, a tree trunk, or a fence. It can reach a height of 6m and a spread of 4m 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 flowers (like Minkimale) or female flowers (like Minkigold) 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 is sensitive to late frosts as the buds freeze at -5°C. Its foliage is deciduous. The stems bear large, ovate, and entire leaves, dark matte green on the upper side and lighter underneath, covered with tiny red hairs, just like the stems. 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, the flowering is followed by the formation of large, fleshy, oblong berries weighing approximately 60 grams. The skin is hairy for Actinidia deliciosa species or smooth for Actinidia chinensis species. The flesh is green, sometimes yellow for certain varieties like Minkigold, and contains numerous tiny 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 if they are still green as they ripen after harvest. They can be stored well at a cool temperature of 5°C, in a cellar, for over a month. The kiwi is ripe when it is soft to the touch. Place the kiwis next to apples or bananas to speed up their ripening. Once peeled, the kiwi can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with other autumn fruits, used in jams, or used to decorate pies and certain savoury dishes.