Kiwi duo (Actinidia) - duo for cross-pollination - 15 cm pot - Height 50 cm

Yes, the kiwi (Actinidia) is perfectly suited to French gardens. The Hayward, Ken's Red and Weiki cultivars are selected for their hardiness and their ability to bear fruit at our latitudes. Hayward is the standard commercial variety, Ken's Red offers an original pink flesh and Weiki produces smaller but very early fruit, thus extending the harvest season. These three females combined with a pollinating male plant cover the entire territory up to zone 7, that is to say the vast majority of French regions outside the Alpine mountains. Full sun remains the main condition for success.

Yes, absolutely: female kiwi plants (Actinidia) will only produce fruit if a male pollinator plant is within 10 metres to allow insects to transfer pollen. This mixed set includes exactly one male plant (Weiki male) accompanied by three complementary female plants: you therefore have the entire combination required for guaranteed fruit production right from the time of purchase. Without a pollinator, the female flowers will drop without producing fruit, regardless of the quality of care provided. Choosing a mixed set is therefore the most practical and reliable solution for the amateur gardener.

The harvest season s'stretches from late September to November depending on the cultivars. Weiki is the earliest variety and can be harvested as early as late September, which is a welcome advantage in regions with short autumns. Hayward, the classic variety with large, juicy, sweet fruit, ripens in October-November and enjoys 'excellent storage. Ken's Red, with pink flesh and a slightly aromatic flavour, falls somewhere in between. This range of ripening times within 'the same plot allows 'harvesting to be spread over several weeks and 'to enjoy a variety of flavour profiles from the same garden space.

Upon receiving the 15 cm potted plants, water them immediately if the growing medium is dry, then choose a full-sun location, ideally at the base of a trellis, fence, or pergola. Dig a hole measuring 50 cm on each side, enrich it with compost, and plant the plants while keeping the root ball intact, taking care not to bury the crown. Install a temporary support immediately after planting to guide the climbing stems. Water thoroughly and mulch around the base to a depth of 8 to 10 cm to retain moisture.

The Kiwi (Actinidia) is a full-sun vine that requires at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to flower and fruit properly. A south or southwest orientation against a wall or fence is ideal because the heat stored by the support accelerates fruit ripening and protects the buds from spring frosts. In partial shade, the plant languishes, produces few flowers, and the fruit remains small and under-sweetened. Also avoid areas exposed to prevailing cold winds, which can damage tender shoots during bud break.

Yes, kiwifruit can be grown in large pots on a very sunny terrace, provided you choose containers of'at least 50 litres per plant and space them sufficiently to allow the vine to'spread. Use a rich, well-draining, slightly acidic potting mix, and water regularly, as pots dry out quickly in summer. Install a trellis or tensioned cable to guide the plant, and fertilise every month from March to August with a special fruit fertiliser.

These three female cultivars are distinguished by their appearance, flavor, and ripening period. Hayward is the most widely grown variety: it produces large oval fruits with brown skin and green flesh, juicy, sweet, and rich in vitamin C, with excellent storage life until'January. Ken's Red stands out for its smooth reddish skin and pink flesh with a slightly more aromatic and sweeter taste, with an intermediate ripening period.