Actinidia Species, Arctic Beauty Kiwi, Kiwi Vine, Kolomikta Vine

On Oct 31, 2015, McKenzie_Jones from Toronto,
Canada wrote:

Growing two male vines in a very sunny dry spot - I wanted to avoid attracting raccoons to the fruit. I had variegation on both in the first year, but it doesn't last long. Small white flowers are very fragrant. It is hard to train the green wood - has a mind of it's own. I'm in Toronto Ontario Canada and we get quite a freeze, but these two don't mind. The lower areas of the vine are pretty sparse, but I've planted nasturtium at the base and they fill the whole base out and climb half way up the vine. My vines have not grown quickly like others report. Growth is only until the summer heat hits. Up to about 7 feet in 3 years.

On Jun 24, 2011, kasidi from Constable, NY wrote:

Let me first say that I live in the most Northernmost part of New York state, literally on the U.S. Canadian border. Zone map states this is a zone 4, however, we seem to be in a pocket of Zone 5, as at least half of my massive garden consists of zone 5 plants. We planted three hardy kiwi vines three years ago. Two were purchased together as Arctic Beauty male and female set..the third was purchased separately, a Ruby Red kiwi vine and was supposed to be a female, as a matter of fact, it still has the original tag on the plant from the company I purchased it from that clearly states it's a female. I did not know exactly how to plant them, but did know that they needed a strong trellis. We built a huge trellis from cedar, stuck the plants in the ground and let them go. They get full d... read moreirect sun all day, and we do water them occasionally during dry spells. Although the plants are winter hardy, the leaves are very frost sensitive..it is very much worth your while to cover it if possible during late frosts. After three years, we got blossoms!! two of the three plants bloomed, the male did not, which was very depressing, but, not surprising as the two other plants were much bigger than the male, which had struggled to survive the first year. We figured we'd have to wait another year for fruit. Imagine my shock and surprise when after the bloom was done, close inspection of the plants showed small kiwi forming on the Arctic Beauty female!! what!!?? How could that be, when the male never bloomed? The Ruby Red vine had no fruits on it at all, all the blossoms had shriveled and fallen off. I searched this sight and found photos of male and female kiwi flowers, and looked at the photos I had taken of the blooms, and discovered the Ruby Red female actually was a male, according to the photos...I have plans of contacting the company from where it was purchased and letting them know they sold me a miss marked plant. As far as the varigation of the leaves, we've seen none of that, but it is a healthy strong vine. The only insect type problem we've ever had with them was an assault of tiny slugs that first year. It seems as if bugs don't seem to like the taste of them. I'm looking forward to being able to finally taste one of these little treasures ;)

On May 14, 2009, Nan from SW, WI (Zone 4b) wrote:

I've found that the variegation doesn't last long, and I'm wondering if the summer heat in my area may have something to do with that.
The stems definitely have 'minds of their own'...they'll wind and twine around anything in sight.
A strong support is eventually needed.
The flowers are simple, but are plentiful, very fragrant and BEES absolutely love them.
I'm unsure as to whether my plant is male or female, as I've not noticed any fruits. I admit I haven't paid close attention, as the plant is grown in an 'out of the way' place in my yard.

On Mar 4, 2008, ltalent from New York, NY wrote:

I've grown kiwi (male) in a large pot in part sun. It's been pretty successful, but the pink/white disappears pretty quickly. (It's gorgeous while it lasts.) I knew I didn't quite have the sun for it but it suits my other needs, shape, colour and size. It has over-wintered well in zone 5 with the plastic pot siting atop of wood planks in a protected spot.

On Aug 28, 2003, Wildside wrote:

We have laid the foundation for 10 Kiwi plants and with cement setting on each Trellis. I will be starting with 3 Saanichton, 2 Anna's, 1 Hardy Male, a Cordifolia, a Dunbarton and 2 Kolomikta's. They are of various ages and we shall see how they take to our location, soil and how long before we have flowers and hopefully fruit as well as their natural beauty.

On Aug 31, 2001, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote:

This kiwi is a relatively fast-growing, deciduous, woody vine which typically grows 15-20' and features tiny, slightly fragrant, greenish-white flowers in early summer and attractive, heart-shaped (to 5" long), green foliage variegated with white and/or pink. Flowers are not particularly showy since they are often hidden by the foliage. Juvenile foliage is purplish green. This species is dioecious (separate male and female plants), and the male plants reportedly have better leaf variegation than the female plants. Greenish-yellow, 1" long, edible fruits appear on female plants in early fall.