Actinidia chinensis 'Solo'

Planting Conditions and Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Prefers full sun for maximum fruit production, though it will tolerate light partial shade.

• Soil Preferences: Grows best in moist, fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Avoid heavy, waterlogged ground.

• pH Range: Slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5–7.0) is ideal.

• Moisture Needs: Needs consistently moist but not waterlogged soil, especially during the growing and fruiting season.

• Planting Time: Best planted in spring after the last frost, or in early autumn in mild climates to allow roots to establish before winter.

• Spacing: Allow 3–4 metres between plants, though ‘Solo’ is self-fertile and can be grown as a single specimen.

• Support Structure: Requires a strong support such as a trellis, pergola, or sturdy wires—plants can be vigorous climbers.

• Positioning Tips: Choose a sheltered, sunny site, ideally with protection from cold, drying winds. A south- or west-facing wall or fence is ideal.

Routine Care, Feeding, and Seasonal Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water deeply and regularly during the first 2–3 years after planting.

  • Established plants still benefit from regular watering in dry periods, particularly when fruit is developing.

• Feeding: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring and a potassium-rich feed after flowering to support fruiting.

• Pruning:

  • Train main stems onto your support structure and prune side shoots to encourage fruiting spurs.

  • In winter, prune back fruiting laterals to 3–5 buds from the main stem.

  • Summer prune excess leafy growth to allow sunlight to reach developing fruit.

• Mulching: Apply an organic mulch around the base in spring to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and feed the soil—keep mulch away from the stem.

• Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally resistant to most pests and diseases. Occasionally susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soil and leaf spot in damp, humid conditions.

• Frost Protection: While mature plants are hardy, young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Protect with horticultural fleece when frost is forecast.

• Training and Tying: Check ties regularly to prevent them from cutting into stems as they grow thicker.

• Harvesting:

  • Fruit typically ripens from late summer to early autumn.

  • Harvest when the skin changes from firm to slightly yielding under gentle pressure.

  • Fruits will continue to ripen off the vine if picked slightly early.

Fruit, Uses, and Garden Value

• Fruit Characteristics: Produces smooth-skinned, hairless kiwis about the size of a large grape, with sweet, aromatic green flesh. The flavour is similar to traditional kiwifruit but often sweeter.

• Self-Fertility: ‘Solo’ is self-fertile, meaning only one plant is needed to produce fruit—ideal for small gardens.

• Culinary Uses:

  • Eat fresh as a snack, skin and all.

  • Add to fruit salads, desserts, smoothies, or yoghurt.

  • Can be made into jams, chutneys, or used as a garnish.

• Nutritional Benefits: High in vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fibre.

• Ornamental Value: Attractive twining vines with large, heart-shaped leaves and fragrant white flowers in early summer.

• Wildlife Benefits: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators.

• Garden Design Uses:

  • Perfect for covering pergolas, trellises, or sunny walls.

  • Suitable for edible landscaping, combining beauty with productivity.

• Growth and Longevity: A vigorous, long-lived perennial climber that can remain productive for decades with the right care.

• Size
  C 2

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.