Pluot®
Pluot® interspecific plum hybrids are complex crosses of plum and apricot. Unlike plumcots, which are simple plum x apricot crosses, Pluot® interspecific plums were developed by the Zaigers through intricate hybridizing, requiring several generations of crosses to create these new fruits.
Pluot® interspecifics have predominantly plum parentage and smooth skins like plums.
The complex, intense flavor of both Pluot® and Aprium® is unique to interspecifics, much like a blend of fruit juices where the mixture is an improvement over any of the separate ingredients. Additionally, the sugar content of our interspecifics is much higher than in any standard plum or apricot--yielding fruit of incomparable sweetness.
These delicious new types of fruit will provide new opportunities for the tree fruit grower.
We introduced Flavor Delight Aprium® interspecific apricots and Flavor Supreme and Flavor Queen Pluot® interspecific plums to the home garden nursery trade in 1989. The Pluot® interspecifics described on this page, along with the new interspecific Zaiger rootstocks--Citation, Atlas and Viking--represent the most advanced fruit varietal development in the world today.
Pluot® and Aprium® are registered trademarks of Zaiger Genetics, Modesto, California.
Amigo 1
Pluot® interspecific plum. Named for its strong, "friendly" pollen, the Amigo 1 Pluot® blooms early in the season and matures in the first two weeks of June, just before Flavor Supreme. The Amigo 1 fruit has bluish-red skin and red-tinged yellow flesh. With an average weight of 117.4 grams, the medium-sized Amigo 1 delivers a good flavor that is reminiscent of its plum parent with more tartness than most Pluots® (16% Brix). The growth habit of the Amigo 1 tree is vigorous and upright. This variety requires a pollenizer such as Emerald Gem, Flavor Supreme or Dapple Dandy. Amigo 1 has an estimated chilling requirement of 700 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #20165)
Amigo 2
Pluot® interspecific plum. Used as a fertile, late-season pollenizer, the Amigo 2 Pluot® ripens in mid-to-late July with red skin and flavorful, orange flesh (18% Brix). Amigo 2 features good size (average weight 136.3 grams), and nice storage and shipping qualities. The Amigo 2 tree features a vigorous, upright growth habit, and requires a pollenizer such as Rubirosa, Holiday or Flavorfall. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 750 to 800 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #17832)
Black Kat
Pluot® interspecific plum. Named for its remarkably dark skin color, the Black Kat Pluot® exhibits firm flesh, sweet flavor (20% Brix), and large size (average weight of 144.8 grams). It is an extra-late bloomer that ripens in the first week of September and holds well on the tree until harvest. The Black Kat tree is vigorous and productive, but requires a pollenizer such as Hiromi Red, Royal Treat, Flavor Heart, Rubirosa, Santa Rosa or Flavorfall. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 1000 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #13134)
Candy Stripe
Pluot® interspecific plum. The ever-sweetening Candy Stripe Pluot® delivers a delicious tart flavor when picked in late July, but let it hang on the tree, and this fruit will sweeten dramatically during its three-week harvest window (16.3% Brix at harvest). The medium, pink-yellow striped fruit is firm and juicy with an average weight 121.5 grams. Candy Stripe Pluot® requires a pollenizer such as Flavorfall. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 800 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #17828)
Coparose
Pluot® interspecific plum. A child of the Crimson Heart Pluot®, Coparose offers a much more appealing shape (spherical to slightly oblate) without the tips that its Pluot® parent sometimes bears. The smooth yellow-to-red exterior hides firm golden flesh and a flavor that is not overly sweet (15% Brix). The Coparose Pluot® ripens in mid-July with an average size of 125 grams. This vigorous tree requires a pollenizer such as Amigo 2, Crimson Royale, Dapple Dandy or Honey Punch. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 600 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #20173)
Crimson Heart
Pluot® interspecific plum. The Crimson Heart Pluot® is named not only for its distinctly heart-like shape, but for its beautiful ruby red flesh. With soluble solids (Brix) of 15.5%, Crimson Heart features a balanced flavor that is not overly sweet. This productive tree yields medium-sized fruit (127.8 gram average weight), but can be soft on the bottom tip. Crimson Heart requires a pollenizer such as Earliqueen, Joanna Red, Hiromi Red, Dapple Dandy or Crimson Glo. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 700 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #12943)
Crimson Royale
Pluot® interspecific plum. The hallmark of Crimson Royale is an elongated shape similar to an apricot. Beyond shape, this Pluot® is more reminiscent of a plum with tangy red skin and sweet creamy flesh that yields a complex mixture of apple and plum flavors (23% Brix). This firm Pluot® sizes well (184.6 gram average weight) and offers a smooth, crunchy texture that holds up well in storage and shipping, but it can be somewhat soft on the bottom tip. Crimson Royale matures from the last week of July and into August. This selection requires a pollenizer such as Flavorfall, Amigo 2 or Honey Punch. Crimson Royale has an estimated chilling requirement of 800 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #18559)
Dapple Dandy
Pluot® interspecific plum. Sold in stores as "Dinosaur Eggs," the large, firm Dapple Dandy Pluot® has a distinctive skin color that is pale green to yellow with red mottling. By traditional standards, the skin is unattractive, a fact that will be quickly forgotten after one taste of the creamy pink flesh. Dapple Dandy matures in late July with a spicy, plum-apricot flavor and a good acid-to-sugar balance (17% Brix). This very productive, spreading tree needs a pollenizer such as Flavor Queen, Flavor Supreme, Santa Rosa or Burgundy Plum. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 400 to 500 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #9254) — DWN video: Dapple Dandy —
Dapple Fire
Pluot® interspecific plum. Similar in appearance to Dapple Dandy, the Dapple Fire Pluot® features darker red flesh and a harvest time in mid-July. With a Brix of 17.5%, Dapple Fire offers a balanced, apricot flavor and juicy flesh (142 gram average weight). The vigorous, upright Dapple Fire tree requires a pollenizer such as Flavorfall, Flavor Grenade or Sierra Rose. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 700 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #12409)
Dapple Jack
Pluot® interspecific plum. The sweetest of the Dapple-type Pluots®, Dapple Jack resembles Dapple Dandy with red to green dappled skin and remarkably sweet red flesh (21% Brix). Dapple Jack matures in mid-July about three weeks before Dapple Dandy. The Dapple Jack tree produces large crops of very large fruit (144.8 gram average weight) and requires a pollenizer such as Honey Punch or Amigo 2. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 600 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #18178)
Dapple Supreme
Pluot® interspecific plum. Like most Pluots® in the "Dapple" series, Dapple Supreme shows a mottled green and red exterior, but this variety features darker red flesh reminiscent of a Flavor Supreme. Dapple Supreme ripens alongside Early Dapple in the last two weeks of June with good size (142 gram average weight) and appealing eating qualities (15% Brix). The Dapple Supreme tree requires a pollenizer such as Flavor Gold. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 300 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #16412)
Early Dapple
Pluot® interspecific plum. More cosmetically attractive than the Dapple Dandy variety, Early Dapple has speckled red skin that is thinner and softer than Dapple Dandy. Early Dapple ripens in the last two weeks of June with flavorful pink flesh (16.4% Brix). The Early Dapple tree is a regular and heavy producer of large-sized fruit (153 gram average weight). This Pluot® requires a pollenizer such as Crimson Heart, Dapple Fire, Flavor Heart or Flavor Grenade. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 700 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #13530)
Emerald Gem
Pluot® interspecific plum. It may be little, but this is undoubtedly a gem. Emerald Gem is a good farmer's market selection that cannot be grown commercially due to its diminutive size (101.7 gram average weight). This green-to-yellow skinned Pluot® has golden yellow flesh, a crunchy texture, and an extraordinarily sweet flavor (20% Brix). Emerald Gem requires a pollenizer such as Flavorosa, Honey Punch, or Amigo 2. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 700 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #14599)
Flavorfall
Pluot® interspecific plum. When the apricots, apriums® and plums have all been harvested, what is left? The Flavorfall Pluot® is the answer to taste-lovers fall appetites. Harvesting in the last week of September and the 1st week of October, Flavorfall offers extra-large size (181 gram average weight), smooth, maroon skin, golden flesh, and a sweet, crisp flavor (17% Brix). This productive tree holds its firm fruit up to three weeks. Flavorfall requires a pollenizer such as Betty Anne, Rubirosa, Flavorite, Dapple Fire or Honey Punch. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 800 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #11990)
Flavor Grenade
Pluot® interspecific plum. Flavor Grenade is admittedly an unusual-looking fruit, thus the somewhat humorous name. Harvested in the first two weeks of August, Flavor Grenade features good size (120 gram average weight) and a crunchy texture much like an apple. Even when fully ripe, it maintains an unmistakable crunch. As the name suggests, this green Pluot® is oblong in shape with an explosive, tropical flavor (22% Brix). Flavor Grenade hangs well on the tree (up to 6 weeks), but requires a pollenizer such as Betty Anne, Flavorfall or Candy Stripe. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 500 to 600 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #12097) — DWN video: Flavor Grenade —
Flavor Heart
Pluot® interspecific plum. Flavor Heart is aptly named for its dark ruby skin color, and a very pronounced heart-like shape. With a harvest time of mid-August, this Pluot® ripens very quickly and has a short shelf life. Flavor Heart is a very large Pluot® with delicious yellow flesh. Flavor Heart requires a pollenizer such as Amigo 2, Black Kat, Flavorfall or Hiromi Red. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 800 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #10608)
Flavor Jewel
Pluot® interspecific plum. When fruit is almost too beautiful to eat, it needs a special name; thus the Flavor Jewel Pluot®. The glossy lime skin blushed with ruby red on this heart-shaped fruit demands attention, as does its succulent blonde flesh. Harvested in the 2nd week of August, this medium-to-large Pluot® (158.7 gram average weight) is firm and sweet (18% Brix). The vigorous, upright Flavor Jewel tree requires a pollenizer such as Flavor Heart, or Amigo 2. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 850 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #13502)
Flavor King
Pluot® interspecific plum. Though not used commercially, Flavor King Pluot® is well known in farmer's markets where its memorable flavor commands attention. This medium-sized, red fruit ripens in the 2nd week of August with a classic plum appearance on the exterior, but a deep red-to-purple flesh (18% Brix). Flavor King is subject to cracking and not recommended for commercial use outside the farmer's market/backyard orchard industry. The naturally small Flavor King tree is moderately spreading and requires a pollenizer such as Flavor Supreme, Santa Rosa or Late Santa Rosa. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 400 to 500 hours.
Flavor Queen
Pluot® interspecific plum. Flavor Queen harvest falls in late August when the fruit begins to turn from green to bright yellow. This Pluot® is one of the sweetest of all Pluot® varieties, but cannot be sold to retail stores due to its tender skin, and must be harvested with gloves. The large Flavor Queen fruit is light-green to yellow, with golden flesh that is firm and juicy. This Pluot® is sweet with a slight apricot aftertaste, and little tartness (18% Brix). Flavor Queen requires a pollenizer such as Dapple Dandy Pluot® or Flavor Supreme, but not Flavor King. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 400-500 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #7420) — DWN video: Flavor Queen —
Flavor Royale
Pluot® interspecific plum. An outstanding early-season Pluot®, Flavor Royale packages its crimson flesh in an eye-catching maroon skin (153.4 gram average weight). Nearly three weeks earlier than Flavor Supreme, Flavor Royale ripens from the last week of May into early June and upstages the original Pluot® (Flavor Supreme) with an artful exterior and a sweet, juicy red flesh (18% Brix). Flavor Royale is a vigorous tree that requires a pollenizer such as Amigo 1 or Flavorosa. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 500 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #16413)
Flavor Supreme
Pluot® interspecific plum. The first Pluot® introduced by Floyd Zaiger in 1988, Flavor Supreme disguised intense flavor under a grey-green skin with red speckling. This medium-sized, moderately firm fruit still surprises first-time tasters with juicy Bordeaux-colored flesh that is so delicious it can only be called "supreme" (17% Brix). This selection can be difficult to set and is subject to cracking. Flavor Supreme requires a pollenizer such as Flavorosa. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 600-700 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #6763)
Flavorite
Pluot® interspecific plum. With soluble solids (Brix) of 20%, Flavorite is one of the sweetest Pluots®. Flavorite matures in the first two weeks of August with red skin and medium size (112 gram average weight). The vigorous, semi-spreading Flavorite tree requires a pollenizer such as Flavorfall. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 700 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #11609)
Flavorosa
Pluot® interspecific plum. A very early-season treat, Flavorosa is a medium-sized Pluot® with beautiful, dark purple skin and red flesh. Resembling a plum, this fruit has much more concentrated flavor and juicy flesh (16% Brix). Like Spring Flavor, this selection should be picked early to avoid fruit drop. The moderately vigorous, spreading Flavorosa tree can be precocious, but requires an early-blooming pollenizer such as Earliqueen. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 400 to 500 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #10285)
Honey Punch
Pluot® interspecific plum. The Honey Punch Pluot® ripens in mid to late August with very sweet and juicy flesh (19% Brix). This red-speckled Pluot® has heavy bloom on the skin and golden flesh with red streaking originating from the skin. With an average weight of 164.7 grams, the Honey Punch fruit is large, dense and firm to the touch. The trees are heavy producers, but require a pollenizer such as the Crimson Royale or Dapple Jack. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 700 to 800 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #19596)
Ruby Kat
Pluot® interspecific plum. The gorgeous Ruby Kat is truly the color of the precious gem. This Pluot® ripens in mid-to-late July with phenomenal size (204.5 gram average weight), flashy red skin and sweet, golden flesh (19% Brix) that is streaked red from the skin. The vigorous, upright Ruby Kat tree requires a pollenizer such as Flavorich. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 800 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #19619)
Spring Flavor
Pluot® interspecific plum. With a maturity window in mid-to-late May, Spring Flavor offers the best eating-quality for the early fruit market (12% Brix). This red-to-maroon Pluot® should be picked early to avoid fruit drop (119.3 average weight). Spring Flavor requires a pollenizer such as Flavorosa or Earliqueen. This selection has an estimated chilling requirement of 450-500 hours. (U.S. Plant Patent #14571)
