Kiwi 'Jenny' (Actinidia) - climbing fruit tree - 15 cm pot - Height 50 cm - Set of 2

Yes, the 'Jenny' kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa 'Jenny') is one of the very few truly self-fertile varieties: a single plant is sufficient to produce fruit without a separate male pollinator plant. This is because its hermaphrodite flowers have both functional stamens and a well-developed pistil, allowing for effective self-pollination. However, planting two plants (as in this set) significantly increases the yield, as cross-pollination between the two plants improves the fruit set rate.

The best time to plant the 'Jenny' kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) is in spring, from April to late May, when the soil has warmed and the risk of night frosts has passed. Choose a full-sun location against a south or southwest-facing wall, and prepare a planting hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball. Incorporate a generous amount of well-rotted compost to enrich the soil, then water thoroughly at planting and over the following days.

The 'Jenny' kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) is a full-sun plant that requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to flower and fruit properly. A south- or southwest-facing wall is ideal: it absorbs heat during the day and releases it at night, thereby extending the growing season. Avoid locations exposed to prevailing cold winds, which can burn young shoots in spring during bud break.

The 'Jenny' kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) flowers in spring, generally from May to June depending on the region and weather conditions. Its slightly creamy white flowers, with a subtle fragrance, are highly attractive to pollinators, especially bees and bumblebees. Fruiting takes place from late August through October: the fruit reaches optimal ripeness when the flesh yields softly to pressure from a finger. 'Jenny' kiwifruits are slightly smaller than supermarket varieties, but their flavour is often considered more fragrant and sweeter.

The 'Jenny' kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) is a hardy variety that can withstand winter temperatures down to around -15°C once the plant is well established, after two to three years in the ground. The woody parts (stems, framework) are robust and can survive the winter without protection in most of France. However, the main concern is late spring frosts: the tender young shoots that emerge in March and April can be damaged by frost, delaying flowering and therefore the harvest.

Pruning the 'Jenny' kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) is done in two stages to maximize fruit production. In winter, from December to February, shorten the lateral shoots that bore fruit the previous year to 3 or 4 buds above the base: this is the main pruning that structures the framework. In summer, after flowering and fruit set (June-July), pinch the secondary shoots by cutting them to 5 or 6 leaves beyond the last visible fruit, in order to concentrate the sap towards the developing kiwis.

Yes, the 'Jenny' kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) can easily be grown in a large pot or container on a sunny balcony or terrace, provided you follow a few essential requirements. Choose a container of at least 50 litres per plant, with excellent drainage at the bottom (clay pebbles or gravel), and use a rich growing medium made from a mix of multi-purpose compost and compost. In a pot, it requires more water than when planted in the ground: water regularly during the summer, and never allow the growing medium to dry out completely.