{"product_id":"plum-toka-bare-root","title":"Plum, Toka, Bare Root","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eToka Plum (\u003cem\u003ePrunus americana × P. simonii ‘Toka’\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToka is a hardy hybrid plum known for aromatic fruit and its usefulness as a pollen source for compatible hybrid plums. Its distinctive flavor is often compared with bubblegum or a tropical fruit blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eA different plum flavor\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe reddish fruit has yellow flesh and a sweet, strongly aromatic flavor. Taste it fully ripe to appreciate the cultivar’s character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eA practical companion for Black Ice\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eToka is a commonly recommended pollen source for Black Ice. The pairing gives a home orchard two fruit types while meeting an important pollination need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eA hardy hybrid still needs orchard care\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eCold tolerance helps the tree survive winter, but open flowers can still be damaged by frost. Thin heavy sets, prune for airflow, and maintain ordinary plum sanitation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination Partners\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCross-pollination requires a different compatible cultivar. Options in our 2027 selection include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/plum-black-ice-bare-root\"\u003eBlack Ice\u003c\/a\u003e. Cross-pollination depends on overlapping bloom, not matching harvest months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Mature Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlan for approximately 15–20 feet at maturity, depending on site and pruning. The offered variant identifies the rootstock; keep the graft union above soil level and remove rootstock suckers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light partial shade; full sun is best for fruiting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e medium to medium-dry, well-drained soil; avoid standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature height:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 15–20 feet; see rootstock and pruning guidance above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early to mid-spring; white flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reddish plums with yellow flesh and a sweet, aromatic, bubblegum-like flavor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh eating, jam, preserves, and hybrid-plum pollen diversity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRipening:\u003c\/strong\u003e August–September\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChill hours:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 500–600 hours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cross-pollination with a compatible cultivar required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA hardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zones 4–8.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGeneral Plum Orchard Guidance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eA good start\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose well-drained soil and enough room for the mature tree. Water consistently while roots establish, mulch with space around the trunk, and keep vigorous grass and other competitors away from the young root zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eFertility and fruit-tree guilds\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse a soil test to guide lime and fertilizer rather than feeding heavily by default. Our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tree-planting-kit\"\u003eTree Planting Kit fertilizer blend\u003c\/a\u003e is an optional planting supplement; keep concentrated fertilizer away from bare roots and avoid excess nitrogen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInterested in permaculture and stacking functions around your fruit trees? Explore our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/resources\/transform-your-garden-build-a-fruit-tree-guild-that-practically-grows-itself\"\u003efruit-tree guild guide\u003c\/a\u003e for ideas on combining plants for flowers, ground cover, and mulch while giving your tree room to grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003ePractical pest and disease care\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThin crowded fruit to improve size and protect branches, prune for airflow in dry weather, and remove fallen or mummified fruit. Monitor for brown rot, plum curculio, and black knot where it occurs. Early sanitation and fruit bags where practical can reduce problems; protect bees during bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rusty Mangrum","offers":[{"title":"Bare Root \/ 11\/16\" caliper \/ Standard Halford Rootstock","offer_id":49845688172803,"sku":"TFT-17177","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1128\/8067\/files\/Plum-Toka-Bare-Root-For-Sale.png?v=1792231733","url":"https:\/\/tfcnursery.com\/products\/plum-toka-bare-root","provider":"The Farm Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}