Chinese gooseberry
It is a temperate plant. Young shoots and fruit are damaged by frost. Plants have fruited at 1000 m altitude in equatorial regions. It grows naturally in China in thickets and oak forests on slopes or in ravines between 200-2300 metres altitude. It cannot tolerate wet soils. It needs shelter from wind and frost. It has a winter chilling requirement of 500-800 hours below 7°C. Fruit are smaller in shade. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Also known as:
Ichang gooseberry, Yangtao, Yemihoutao
Synonyms
- See Actinidia deliciosa
Edible Portion
- Fruit, Leaves, Vegetable, Flowers
Where does Chinese gooseberry grow?
Found in: Asia, Australia, Britain, China, India, Indochina, Mexico, New Zealand, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Serbia, Taiwan, Tasmania, Vietnam
Notes: Fresh fruits contain 100 - 420 mg vitamin C per 100 g and 8 - 14% carbohydrates. There are 40-60 Actinidia species. The Actinidiaceae are a mainly tropical family.
Status: It has been introduced to Papua New Guinea on a trial basis.
Growing Chinese gooseberry
Cultivation: It can be grown from seeds or cuttings but often plants of known quality and sex are grafted on. It needs a support to climb over. It needs regular pruning because fruit develop on the current year's growth. Plants or grafted branches of both sexes are needed. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Plants can be grown from seed. Fresh seed germinates in 2 - 3 months at 10°C and stored seed can take longer. Seedlings should be transplanted out when 30 cm tall and after the last frosts. (Most seedlings are male.)
Edible Uses: The fruit is eaten raw. It can also be used in preserves and cooking. The leaves can be eaten cooked as an emergency food. The fruit is also made into jams and jellies.
Production: Healthy plants can remain productive for 60 years.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | - | - | - | - | - | - |
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