How to Grow Flavor King Pluot

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Flavor King Pluot

Prunus × domestica (hybrid)

fruit

Flavor King is a pluot—a hybrid between a plum and an apricot—known for its exceptionally sweet flavor and firm, juicy flesh. The fruit has reddish-purple skin with a mottled appearance and golden-yellow flesh inside. This tree is vigorous, productive, and relatively disease-resistant, making it an excellent choice for home orchards.

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Example Flavor King Pluot timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Flavor King Pluot
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Flavor King Pluot
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Flavor King Pluot dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily for optimal fruit production and sweetness

💧

Water: Deep, regular watering during growing season and fruit development; reduce in winter. Needs about 1-1.5 inches per week during active growth. Drought-tolerant once established but produces better with consistent moisture.

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Spacing: 180 inches

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Days to maturity: 3-4 years to first production, 5-6 years to full production

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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as nursery container; graft union should be 2-3 inches above soil level

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure at planting Balanced slow-release fertilizer Mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5b-9b with winter chill requirements met (300-400 hours below 45°F)

5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

Establishment (Year 1)

First 12 months

Young tree is leafing out with vigorous shoot growth and developing root system

Water regularly and deeply; stake for support; remove any early flowers to direct energy to root and canopy development; prune to establish scaffold branches at 24-30 inches from ground

Juvenile Growth (Years 2-3)

2 years

Tree develops main branching structure with increasing leaf canopy coverage

Continue deep watering; apply balanced fertilizer in spring; thin competing shoots; maintain central leader or open vase form based on training method; remove any flower buds to delay fruiting

Flowering (Early Spring)

2-3 weeks

Abundant white to pale pink blossoms appear before or with emerging leaves on established spurs

Ensure bee access for pollination; Flavor King is self-fertile but produces better with cross-pollination from other plum/apricot varieties; apply pre-bloom fertilizer; protect flowers from late frost with row covers if needed

Fruit Development (Late Spring to Mid-Summer)

8-10 weeks

Green marble-sized fruits develop rapidly on branches; fruits enlarge and change color from green to red-purple

Thin fruits to 4-6 inches apart when marble-sized for larger fruit and reduced branch breakage; maintain consistent watering; apply balanced fertilizer mid-season; watch for pest damage and signs of disease

Ripening and Harvest (Mid-Late Summer)

2-4 weeks

Fruits reach full size with deep reddish-purple skin, golden flesh, and peak sugar content; flesh yields slightly to pressure

Stop heavy nitrogen fertilization to avoid promoting fruit drop; maintain even moisture to prevent splitting; harvest at peak ripeness when fruit yields gently to thumb pressure; continue pest and disease monitoring

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Plums Apricots Cherries Peaches Nectarines Almond Borage Marigold Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Walnut trees Potato Brassicas in immediate proximity

Common Pests

Pheromone traps for monitoring; bagging individual fruits; spinosad spray at petal fall and 2 weeks later; good sanitation of fallen fruit
Pheromone traps; fixed copper fungicide sprays; remove infested fruit; pruning of affected branches
Hand-pick in early morning; kaolin clay spray to deter; insecticidal soap for heavy infestations; traps away from trees
Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators like ladybugs; reflective mulch
Thin fruits for air circulation; remove mummified fruit and infected branches; sulfur spray during humid periods; avoid overhead watering
and (Cytospora spp.)
Proper pruning and sanitation; improve drainage; avoid tree damage; prune 12 inches below visible canker; wound dressing not recommended by most experts

Uses

🍳

Fresh eating and desserts

Culinary

Flavor King pluots are exceptional fresh fruits with a perfect balance of sweetness and slight tartness. The firm yet juicy flesh makes them ideal for eating out of hand, slicing for fruit salads, or using in desserts and pastries. [source]

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Preserves and jams

Culinary

The high sugar content and pectin levels make Flavor King ideal for making jams, jellies, and preserves. The unique flavor profile creates distinctive spreads that are prized by home canners. [source]

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Orchard production

Household

A mature Flavor King tree produces 30-50 pounds of fruit annually, making it economically valuable for home orchards and small-scale fruit production. The tree's reliable productivity and disease resistance reduce maintenance needs. [source]

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Nutritional and antioxidant benefits

Medicinal

Pluots are rich in vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants including polyphenols. The fruit supports immune function, heart health, and digestive wellness. [source]

🦋

Wildlife food and pollinator support

Wildlife

Flavor King's abundant spring blossoms attract bees and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems. Fallen or unpicked fruit provides food for birds and beneficial insects. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Flavor King pluots typically ripen mid to late summer (July-August in most zones). Harvest when fruit yields to gentle pressure and has a sweet aroma at the stem end. Pick fruits at peak ripeness for best flavor—they develop most sugar in the final days before harvest. The fruit does not continue to ripen off the tree, so timing is important. Leave the stem attached when picking. Fruits keep 1-2 weeks in refrigerator or 3-5 days at room temperature.

Fun Facts

🌱 Flavor King is a second-generation pluot, created by crossing a plum-apricot hybrid with another plum, resulting in a fruit that is approximately 75% apricot and 25% plum, giving it superior flavor over first-generation pluots.
🌱 The name 'pluot' is a trademarked term created by breeder Floyd Zaiger in California; Flavor King was developed through his innovative stone fruit breeding program in the 1980s-90s.
🌱 A single mature Flavor King tree can produce enough fruit in one season to make 20-30 jars of jam, making it one of the most productive specialty fruit trees for home orchards.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Hybrid Pollination Row Cover

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