Actinidia chinensis
Chinese Gooseberry · Chinese Soft-hair Kiwi · Golden Kiwi
About the plant
What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.
- Habit
- Perennial, Shrub, VinePLANTS Database
- Native range
- China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Southern Asia, Taiwan, conterminous 48 United StatesGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.
Sources: PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
This source reports 4 treatments. All are shown.
Protocol 1
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993Difficulty Low
Start around March 8, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.
Clean the flesh off the seed
Leach in running water
Duration: 7 days
Washed and cleaned daily for seven days.
Sow and cover
Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light
7 days from start to sowing. Then 21 days to germinate.
96% germination in 21 days.
This is the kiwi fruit. Light lifts germination from 41% to 96%.
Protocol 2
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993Difficulty Low
Start around March 8, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.
Clean the flesh off the seed
Leach in running water
Duration: 7 days
Washed and cleaned daily for seven days.
Gibberellic acid soak
Sow and cover
Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark
7 days from start to sowing. Then 21 days to germinate.
96% germination in 21 days.
GA-3 in the dark does what light does.
Protocol 3
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993Difficulty Moderate
Start around March 8, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.
Clean the flesh off the seed
Leach in running water
Duration: 7 days
Washed and cleaned daily for seven days.
Sow and cover
Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark
7 days from start to sowing. Then 21 days to germinate.
41% germination in 21 days.
In the dark germination is less than half what it is in light.
Protocol 4
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993Difficulty Very high
Start around December 15, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.
Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C
Sow and cover
Temperature: 70°F 21°C
about 3 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.
1% germination.
Three months at 40 killed almost all the seed.