Kiwi Fruit (Actinidia chinensis) - 100 Seeds

•Can be started all year.
•Non-GMO
•American grown seeds
•USDA Zone 4-10 (known to survive temps down to -25°)

Description:
Chinese gooseberry is a rapidly growing woody deciduous climbing vine in the Actinidiaceae family. It can be grown in a variety of soil and pH conditions but prefers moist, loamy, neutral, well-drained soil. It will produce its fruits in both full sun and semi-shade, however, the best fruit production will occur in full sun. Its rapid growth rate makes it a great choice for sturdy trellises, arbors, fences, or walls. Slightly more cold hardy than Actinidia kolomikta and Actinidia melanandra. It can be found growing in thickets and oak forests on slopes or in ravines. This dioecious climber has either male or female flowers. For propagation, both need to be grown to be pollinated by bees and insects. The leaves and fruit are both edible. The flavorful fruits which are rich with vitamin C contain small seeds that are typically eaten with the fruit. When slightly soft under pressure, they are ready to eat. Very soft fruit is considered too ripe and not edible. Flower buds emerge from last year's stems, so pruning in the fall or winter is discouraged.

Growing Instructions:
1. Soak seeds in water rinsing several times a day for 7 days.
2. Mix seeds with moist sand and cold stratify in the refrigerator for at least 30 days.
3. Ideally start indoors sowing no deeper than 1/8" deep in well-draining soil sterile starting mix. Keep moist, but not soaked. Cover the pot/container with plastic wrap to keep in the humidity and place full to partial shade. The more sun the better. Once they germinate, remove the plastic wrap. When the seedlings reach a few inches, add a thin layer of clean sand to the top of the soil. When they develop 4 true leaves, move each plant to an individual pot/container. If you want to move them outdoors, harden the plant off to the elements by slowly introducing it to the outdoors over the course of a week. You can also transplant to a prepared site after the threat of frost. Kiwi fruits will mature in October.