How to Grow Pluot 'Dinosaur Egg'
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Pluot 'Dinosaur Egg'
Prunus × (plum × apricot hybrid)
fruitDinosaur Egg is a distinctive pluot cultivar featuring large, yellow-skinned fruits with burgundy-red striping and creamy yellow flesh with excellent sweetness and complex flavor. A hybrid between plum and apricot, this tree produces medium-sized fruits with a juicy, dense texture that resists browning. The variety is self-fertile and moderately vigorous, making it suitable for home gardens and small orchards.
When should you plant Pluot 'Dinosaur Egg' in your zone?
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Example Pluot 'Dinosaur Egg' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pluot 'Dinosaur Egg'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Pluot 'Dinosaur Egg'
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 6-9; can survive in zone 5b with winter protection
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Get my Pluot 'Dinosaur Egg' timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment (Year 1)
12 monthsYoung tree focuses on root development and branch structure. Minimal flowering; tree appears leafy with vigorous upright growth.
Remove any flower buds to redirect energy to root and branch development. Stake for wind protection. Water consistently. Prune to establish open center or vase shape. Fertilize moderately.
Flowering (Early Spring, Year 2-3)
2-3 weeksTree produces abundant white to pale pink blossoms on 2-year-old and older wood. Flowers appear before or with emerging leaves, typically in February-March depending on zone.
Monitor for late frosts that can damage flowers. Thin flowers if excessive (1 every 4-6 inches on branches). Pluots are largely self-fertile but benefit from other stone fruit pollen nearby. Avoid heavy pruning during flowering.
Fruit Development (Late Spring-Summer)
8-10 weeksSmall marble-sized green fruits appear and rapidly enlarge. Fruits display developing yellow-green skin with red mottling. Tree shows vigorous growth with deep green foliage.
Thin fruits aggressively to 4-6 inches apart for larger, higher-quality fruit. Remove damaged, diseased, or crowded fruitlets early (4-6 weeks after bloom). Maintain consistent watering. Apply balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
Ripening (Mid-Summer to Early Fall)
4-6 weeksFruits reach full size (2-3 inches diameter), yellow skin becomes more prominent with deep burgundy-red striping and freckling. Skin yields slightly to pressure when ripe. Sugar content increases noticeably.
Monitor for pest damage. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to concentrate sugars. Water deeply but less frequently to avoid splitting. Begin harvesting when fruits reach full color and slight give to pressure.
Harvest & Dormancy (Late Summer-Winter)
6 monthsFruits reach peak ripeness and are harvested. Foliage begins senescence in fall. Tree enters dormancy in winter, branches become bare.
Harvest ripe fruits every 2-3 days as they mature. Store at room temperature for 1-2 days to enhance flavor, then refrigerate. Prune in late winter during dormancy to remove dead wood and maintain shape. Apply dormant oil spray for pest control.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick in early morning; use pheromone traps away from tree; apply neem oil or spinosad if severe; encourage beneficial insects
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Remove and destroy infested fruit weekly; apply kaolin clay (Surround) starting at petal fall; use spinosad or pyrethrin sprays; thin fruit to reduce damage sites
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Use pheromone traps for monitoring; apply spinosad at 10-14 day intervals post-bloom; remove and destroy damaged fruit; thin fruit to improve air circulation
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Remove infected fruit immediately; thin fruit and prune branches for air circulation; apply sulfur or copper fungicides in spring/summer; avoid overhead watering; clean up fallen fruit
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Prune affected branches 6-12 inches below visible knots; remove and destroy infected wood; apply dormant oil; maintain tree vigor; improve air circulation
Uses
Fresh eating and desserts
CulinaryDinosaur Egg pluots are prized for fresh eating due to their exceptional sweetness, complex flavor, and creamy texture. They are also excellent for jams, preserves, crisps, tarts, and baked goods. [source]
Juice and beverages
CulinaryThe high sugar content and juice yield of Dinosaur Egg pluots make them ideal for fresh juice, smoothies, and fermented beverages like wine or mead. [source]
Digestive and antioxidant benefits
MedicinalPluots are rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, and polyphenol antioxidants that support digestive health and reduce inflammation. Traditional use includes supporting healthy digestion and natural energy. [source]
Natural dye
HouseholdThe red pigments in Dinosaur Egg pluot skins can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics and textiles. [source]
Wildlife habitat and food
WildlifePluot flowers provide early-season nectar and pollen for pollinators, while ripe fruit attracts birds and other wildlife. Growing pluots supports local biodiversity. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Dinosaur Egg pluots ripen over several weeks; harvest every 2-3 days when fruits reach full color (bright yellow with deep burgundy striping) and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Pick with a slight twist and gentle pull—do not pull forcefully as this can damage spurs. For best flavor, allow fruit to sit at room temperature for 1-2 days after picking before refrigerating. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Fruits will not ripen further after picking, so harvest only ripe specimens.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pluots are complex hybrids marketed by breeder Floyd Zaiger starting in 1989; 'Dinosaur Egg' gets its name from its distinctive large, mottled appearance resembling a prehistoric egg. The reverse cross (apricot dominating plum genetics) is called a 'Apriums.'
- 🌱 Dinosaur Egg pluots are largely self-fertile unlike many stone fruits, though cross-pollination with other plums or apricots can slightly improve fruit set. A single tree can produce 50-100+ pounds of fruit at peak productivity (age 5-7 years).
- 🌱 The creamy, dense flesh of Dinosaur Egg pluots resists browning better than many stone fruits, making them ideal for fresh fruit salads and displays. Some growers report that properly ripened Dinosaur Egg pluots have flavor notes similar to cotton candy due to their complex sugars.
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