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Actinidia deliciosa 'Tomuri' (Male Kiwi Fruit) - A vigorous-growing, deciduous vine with large, rounded leaves that when first emerging are coated with reddish hairs but mature become dark green and hairless. These leaves are held on heavy stems that can spread to 30 feet wide. The creamy white male flowers in spring age to buff.
Plant in full sun or partial shade with regular irrigation. Hardy to around 10-15° F and fruits best when winter temperatures drop for at least a few hours below 32° F.
Actinidia deliciosa is native to Southern China, where it is called Chinese Gooseberry but after the introduction around 1924, of the variety 'Hayward' by Hayward Wright in Avondale, New Zealand, this plant gained popularity being called Kiwifruit, named after New Zealand's National Bird, the Kiwi. The name for the genus name comes from the Greek word 'aktis' which means "ray" in reference to how growth of the plant radiates out like the spokes of a wheel and the specific epithet refers to its delicious fruit.
The cultivar 'Tomuri' is the recommended pollinator for the female cultivar 'Vincent', a fruiting (female) kiwi vine that has a low chill requirement. One male plant can pollinate up to 8 female plants if centrally located. Plant one male to every 3-4 females if planting along a fence. Our early customers might remember that we long had a fence running the entire depth of our nursery property planted with the 'Tomuri' and 'Hayward' variety and that each Christmas we made customer baskets filled with its delicious fruit. Our later crops were produced from tissue culture by Monrovia Nursery.
The information about Actinidia deliciosa 'Tomuri' (Male) that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.
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