actinidia chinensis jenny

[wollett]

i have just been given a a kiwi fruit (actinidia chinensis jenny) has any body got any info on this,ie, how and where should it be grown in the garden.i only have a small garden and the plant is kept in a pot at the moment as it is only about 10inches high.

[Summer House]

Dear Wollet,

I have had a scout round in my books and have found a bit out about the Kiwi Fruit you have got it is also called "Chinese Gooseberry" if you have only got a small garden I would give it back to the person who gave it to you now before reading on.

A. Chinensis is a vigorous, deciduous, woody-stemmed, twining climber that can reach a hight of 30ft or more. It is frost hardy and has heart shaped leaves that can be 6 to 12 inches in length, it has clusters of cup-shaped white flowers in summer that later turn yellow, followed by an edible, hairy, brown fruit, but to get the fruit you have to have a male and female plants so unless your neighbour has one of these monsters you will have to grow two to get the best out of the plant.
It will grow in any well-drained garden soil that does not dry out and will be quite happy in partial shade if you do get any fruit it needs sun to ripen them so not total shade.
If you want to give it a go maybe you could put it in a large strong pot (this will help to control it's size) put it against a wall or an old tree water it and keep your fingers crossed that there is not a giant climbing down it in the morning.
I hope this is of some help.

Yours,

Summer House