{"product_id":"pluot®-flavor-king-bare-root","title":"Pluot®, Flavor King, Bare Root","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor King Pluot (\u003cem\u003ePrunus salicina × P. armeniaca ‘Flavor King’\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlavor King is a plum-dominant plum–apricot hybrid grown for its aroma and rich sweet-tart flavor. Its red-purple skin and red flesh make it a distinctive late-summer fresh-eating fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eA rich flavor and noticeable aroma\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe juicy flesh combines concentrated sweetness with a balancing tang. Let fruit mature well on the tree rather than expecting full flavor from hard, early-picked fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMostly plum in character\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eFlavor King is sold as a Pluot®, a group of plum–apricot hybrids that generally resemble plums more than apricots. It is useful fresh and in colorful preserves or baked desserts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMatch pollen and flowering time\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eFlavor King is not self-fertile and needs compatible Japanese-plum or suitable hybrid pollen. Do not substitute a European prune plum such as Stanley or Long John for that requirement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination Partners\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot self-fertile. Our 2027 Japanese-type options include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/plum-a-u-rosa-bare-root\"\u003eA.U. Rosa\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/plum-shiro-bare-root\"\u003eShiro\u003c\/a\u003e; choose a partner whose bloom overlaps Flavor King at the planting site. European prune plums are not suitable substitutes. 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 Red-purple skin and juicy red flesh with rich, aromatic sweet-tart flavor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh eating, preserves, jam, tarts, and desserts.\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 400–500 hours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Requires compatible Japanese-plum or suitable hybrid pollen with overlapping bloom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA hardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zones 5–9.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGeneral Pluot 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 \/ 9\/16\" caliper \/ Standard Halford Rootstock","offer_id":49845688238339,"sku":"TFT-1827","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1128\/8067\/files\/Pluot-Flavor-King-Bare-Root-For-Sale.png?v=1792231634","url":"https:\/\/tfcnursery.com\/products\/pluot%c2%ae-flavor-king-bare-root","provider":"The Farm Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}