Kiwi 'Weiki' (Actinidia) - self-fertile climbing kiwi - 15 cm pot - Height 50 cm

The Kiwi Arguta Weiki (Actinidia arguta) is a male pollinator plant. The Actinidia arguta is a dioecious species, which means that the male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The Weiki male plant produces abundant pollen during its spring flowering, which is essential for fertilizing the flowers of a nearby female plant and triggering fruit formation. Without a male pollinator nearby (ideally within a radius of 5 to 10 meters), a female plant will produce little or no fruit.

The Kiwi Arguta Weiki (Actinidia arguta) is known for its exceptional hardiness, significantly greater than that of the common kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa). It can withstand temperatures down to -20°C once properly planted in the ground, making it suitable for almost all of France, including continental and mountainous regions. The only precaution concerns young shoots during spring bud break, which are sensitive to late frosts below -3 to -4°C. A simple frost cover left in place for a few nights is enough to protect the budding.

The Kiwi Arguta Weiki (Actinidia arguta) thrives in full sun, with a marked preference for south or southwest exposures. A well-sunny exposure is crucial for the richness of the flowering and, by extension, for the quantity of pollen produced by this male pollinator plant. The heat accumulated against a south-facing wall or fence is an additional asset, as it stimulates the rapid growth of the stems and extends the active season. Light partial shade (3 to 4 hours of sun per day) remains tolerable, but vigor and flowering will be reduced.

Kiwi Arguta Weiki (Actinidia arguta) pruning is carried out at two key times of the year. The main pruning for formation and balance takes place in late winter, between December and January, before the buds swell. It consists of removing dead stems, thinning out overly dense crossings, and shortening the lateral shoots to 2 to 4 buds to stimulate future flowers. Imperatively avoid pruning in February-March when the sap is rising, because the cut wounds then produce a flow of sap that is difficult to stop.

The Kiwi Arguta Weiki (Actinidia arguta) prefers a fresh, deep, fertile and well-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral (pH between 6 and 7). Heavy and clay soils should be avoided, as winter waterlogging can cause root asphyxiation. When planting, dig a pit measuring 50 to 60 cm on each side, incorporate a good volume of mature compost or multipurpose potting mix to enrich the substrate and promote establishment.

The Weiki kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) is a male plant: it does not bear fruit on its own, but its pollen allows nearby female plants to fruit. The fruit produced by female plants pollinated by the Weiki is small, red to purple kiwaïs, slightly larger than a table grape. Their main distinctive feature is their smooth, edible skin, which is eaten without peeling, unlike the common kiwifruit. The flesh is sweet with a slight hint of tartness and is rich in vitamins C and E and antioxidants.

It is entirely possible to grow the Kiwi Arguta Weiki (Actinidia arguta) in a pot on a sunny balcony or terrace, provided you give it a large enough container and a sturdy support to climb. Opt for a pot of at least 40 to 50 liters, filled with a well-draining substrate rich in organic matter. Install a trellis or a support structure from the beginning to guide the climbing stems. Watering in a pot must be more regular than in the ground, because the substrate dries out faster, especially in summer against a hot wall.