Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis var. rufopulpa) HONGYANG

The Hong Yang, known also as the Red-Heart kiwi is female kiwifruit variety distinguished by its unique yellow-red coloured flesh, high vitamin C and anthocyanin content and sweet, refreshing flavor. Hong Yang is a major player in the Chinese kiwifruit market, accounting for a significant portion of the total production and consumption. Specifically is the most planted variety of kiwifruit in China.

Origin: seedling selection of wild plants Actinidia chinensis var. rufopulda in 1982, Sichuan Province, China
Vigour: moderate vigorous left-handed climbing vine. Can grow to to 6 - 8 meters or more. Requires sturdy support for optimal growth.
Site requirements: sunny, sheltered location, preferably against a south or west-facing wall. Requires a very mild wine-growing climate. Basic protection is recommended in winter. Young shoots can be endangered by late-spring frost.
Blossom: blooms in late April to early May, flowers are white above and creamy white below, up to 6 cm in size, fragrant. Female variety, its flowers are female, and it will produce fruit when pollinated by a male kiwi variety of Actinidia chinensis or Actinidia deliciosa.
Fruit: cylindrical, flattened at the ends, with the smooth, brown-colored slightly hairy skin. Medium fruit size. Typically measures 5-6 cm in length and 4-5 cm in width. The average fruit weight is around 90 g, maximum up to 150 g.
Pulp: the flesh surrounding the core is reddish-purple, while the rest of the flesh is yellow-green to yellow. The flesh is fine-textured, juicy, and has sweet aromatic flavor with a refreshing and slightly tropical taste. Hongyang kiwis are known for having few or even no seeds, making them more palatable to some consumers. Fruit are nutritious with a vitamin C content 136 mg per 100 g of fresh weight and unique anthocyanin accumulation.
Harvest season: the fruits ripen in late October
Disease resistance: the variety is not susceptible to fungal diseases or pests, in some cases it may be sensitive to the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, which causes bacterial cancer
Frost resistance: down to -12°C
Planting and care: kiwi vines, including the Hongyang cultivar, thrive in well-drained, rich, sandy loam soil with a slightly acidic pH (5.0 to 6.5). They require ample irrigation, especially during the growing season, and full sunlight or slight shade. Avoid low-lying areas with poor drainage, as Hongyang is sensitive to waterlogged conditions. After planting, provide the plant with a strong support system like a trellis or pergola.