Yellow Kiwi Plant Kiwi Wonder (female) - Actinidia deliciosa

The Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) Kiwi Wonder® or Red Kiwi is an original variety that produces yellow fruits with yellow flesh and a red heart, with a very sweet and non-acidic flavor. Their skin is thin and smooth. This female variety requires the proximity of a male plant to bear fruit, such as the male cultivar Tomuri. This attractive climber can be trained along a pergola or trellis. Plant ideally in autumn or any time of year without frost, for a harvest around mid-September to late October, starting from the 4th or 5th year.

The Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis or deliciosa), also known as Chinese gooseberry, yang tao, or plant mouse, is the fruit of the Actinidia plant. It belongs to the Actinidiaceae family, just like its cousin the Kiwi (Actinidia arguta). Originally from China, the kiwi is a vigorous climbing vine that can grow up to 3m (10ft) per year under favorable conditions. This climbing plant should be trained on a sturdy support, such as a wall with strong wires, a trellis, a pergola, a tree trunk, or a fence. It can reach a height of 5m (16ft) and a width of 10m (33ft) 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 the female plants produce fruit. The Wonder® cultivar only bears female flowers.

The Kiwi Wonder® is hardy down to -15°C but is sensitive to late frosts, as the buds freeze at -5°C. Its foliage is deciduous. The climbing stems bear large, smooth, ovate, dark green leaves on the upper side and lighter underneath, covered with small red hairs, just like the stems. From the third or fourth year of cultivation, clusters of fragrant flowers appear in May-June on the previous year's branches. These are white-cream flowers with broad petals, about 4cm (2in) wide. The female flowers have white stigmas.

The flowering is followed by the formation of large, fleshy, ovoid berries weighing approximately 45 grams. The thin skin is light brown and hairy for varieties derived from Actinidia delociosa. The flesh is green, juicy, slightly sweet but deliciously tangy, and contains numerous small black seeds. Kiwi is rich in vitamin C, fiber, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. The harvest takes place around November, before the frosts. The fruits can be picked even when they are still green as they continue to ripen after harvesting. They can be stored well in a cool place at 5°C, in a cellar, for over a month. Kiwi is ripe when it is soft to the touch. Place kiwis next to apples or bananas to speed up their ripening. Once peeled, kiwi can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with other autumn fruits, made into jams, or used to decorate pies and certain savory dishes.

To save space, plant a male plant at the base of a pole or pylon: it will climb and elongate without taking up too much ground space.