Fruits from kiwi family grow in Moldova too

Bushes from the kiwi family were brought to Moldova from the botanical garden of Kiev more than 10 years ago. A part of them did not resist the frosty winters and froze, while those that were looked after and protected in winter started to produce fruits, Info-Prim Neo reports. Ion Ciocanu, director of the Amateurs Farmers Association “Demetra”, said the bushes brought from Ukraine’s capital produce fruits called actinides. Their seeds have a form similar to that of the kiwis, but these fruits have a better taste and a powerful flavor. The bushes are resistant to cold, but do not like dry air. Three female bushes are needed to pollinate one male bush. The head of the Phytotechny Institute “Porumbeni” Vasile Pojoga said that he started to grow actinide bushes 7 years ago. They like the weather conditions of Moldova. Most of the species of actinide are lianas that produce edible fruits in the form of acorns that are rich in vitamin C and have a special flavor. The actinides get ripe in August-September. These bushes can be cultivated on large areas, like the vine, as poles are needed to support the branches. Zinaida Ungureanu, manager of SRL “Samiral Agro” based in Zaicana, Criuleni, said that she brought several kiwi seedlings from Italy and planted them in the apple orchard. But they did not survive the frosty winter of 2011 and froze. The bushes lived for four years and produced fruits. Native of China, actinide is a bush-like liana known also as kiwi.