Hardy Red Jumbo (female) - Actinidia arguta

The Kiwai Red Jumbo is a productive and early female cultivar of Siberian Kiwi, with beautiful red fruits that can be harvested as early as the end of September. Gathered in clusters, these small elongated fruits, weighing up to 9 grams, offer a delicious, fragrant flesh with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. To obtain fruits, the presence of a male plant such as Prince Jumbo nearby is necessary. The Kiwai or Siberian Kiwi, highly resistant to cold, is a cousin of the kiwi whose fruits, smaller and sweeter, can be consumed with the skin. It is a voluble climber that needs to be trained along a pergola, trellis, or arbor. It thrives in the sun, in rich, non-calcareous soil.

The Kiwai (Actinidia arguta) Red Jumbo, sometimes called Summer Kiwi, belongs to the Actinidiaceae family, just like its cousin the Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis or deliciosa). Originating from the Far East, it is a vigorous climber, reaching a height of 5 meters (16 feet). Its foliage is deciduous, falling in autumn and reappearing in spring. The Kiwai is very hardy, able to withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F). The stems bear large heart-shaped leaves, 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) long, with fine teeth ending in bristles. In early summer (June-July), fragrant and melliferous flowers appear, greenish-white in colour with purple anthers, grouped in threes in the axils of the leaves.

For female plants like Red Jumbo, flowering is followed by the formation of ovoid berries, smaller than kiwis (2 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter), with a smooth, thin skin. The taste of Kiwai resembles that of gooseberries. It is sweeter than the usual kiwi and richer in calcium and vitamin C. From the second or third year of planting, this variety will yield small fruits with red skin and flesh. Please note that this variety is not self-fertile. This is a female plant, requiring the presence of a nearby male plant such as Nostino, 'Prince Jumbo' or 'Romeo' for pollination. Like the kiwi, a male plant can pollinate several female plants.

The beauty of the Kiwai, both its foliage and its fragrant flowering, also make it a plant used for garden ornamentation. It is necessary to train this plant on a sturdy support, such as a wall with sturdy wires, a trellis, a pergola, a tree trunk, or a fence. This fruit is very popular with children because it can be picked and eaten as-is in the garden. Harvesting takes place from the end of September until October. The fruits can be easily stored in the refrigerator for about two weeks after harvest. Keep them separate from other fruits so they don't ripen too quickly. The flavor of Kiwai is well-suited for modern cuisine, enhances the aroma of fruit salads, and lends itself to the creation of sweet-savoury dishes.