Nectaplum and Pluot Experiences in N. Florida

[PlainJane]

Five years ago I started a trial of various fruit trees for my backyard orchard. The apples and pears never produced usable fruit so they were the first to go. Despite being so-called low-chill varieties they just never settled into any consistent bloom pattern. I’d see flowers on them in random months all year. I also trialed a low-chill 4-in-1 Pluot and a SpiceZee Nectaplum.

The Nectaplum is a beautiful ornamental tree with red spring foliage, deep pink blooms and nice bark. This year (#5) is the first decent fruit set but sadly - the fruit are very disease ridden and pretty much unusable.

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The Pluot is a keeper. Although not a big crop I have about 15 fruit from the ‘Splash’ graft and every one is pristine.
Since I don’t spray this is a huge win for me.

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This fall I’ll pull the Nectaplum. I think I’ll stay away from the nectarine/peach family and replace it with something else in the plum or Pluot line.

[bower]

Those pluot fruit are lovely looking. Good for you, to have the patience to trial and find something that works!

[PlainJane]

[mention]Bower[/mention], my tomatoes and other veggies fulfill my quick gratification cravings. And I was thrilled to start getting a modest harvest from the lemon and lime trees the second year.

[peebee]

That's too bad about the nectaplum not doing well in your area. My tree exploded with fruit last year, 3rd year, in So. CA. I had removed lots of tiny fruit too, worried that I'd get too many tiny ones. My friend up north also had so many fruits, a large branch just broke off under the weight. She's a newbie & didn't know about the need to support low branches in such situations.
Unfortunately I don't like nectaplums as the nectarine parent is a white variety. I guess I missed that part when buying the tree. I prefer yellow ones, same as for peaches. Nectaplums are way too sweet for me. So I end up giving all away. However, it's such a gorgeous tree as [mention]PlainJane[/mention] says, so I have no regrets. It's planted in my front yard and gets oohs & ahhs from people walking by

[PlainJane]

[mention]peebee[/mention], if the birds ate the Nectaplum fruit I’d probably keep the tree as it really is gorgeous. Very unfortunate the fruit is so yucky - the critters won’t even touch it.

[PlainJane]

Well, I’ve decided to take a chance on some additional stone fruits.
Planted this spring:
Another Splash Pluot, since the grafted 4-in-1 has only one ‘Splash’ branch.
Flavorosa Pluot - low chill early ripening with dark skin and red flesh.
Scarlet Beauty Plum - low chill early ripening with orange flesh and red skin.

The Scarlet Beauty bloomed profusely and set a couple of dozen fruits which I was not expecting in a newly planted tree.
They were small but had good flavor.

Plans for this winter include a low-chill Aprium (probably Flavor Delight) and a purple Plumcot.

Am keeping my eye on the new sweet cherry/plum crosses called Pluerries. Will come down to space and chill hours …

Flavorosa, Splash and Scarlet Beauty

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[Amateurinawe]

Wow looks so beautiful !

[friedgreen51]

We are in central NC and planted a Pluot when we moved to the new house some 25 years ago. It lived for close to 20 years and always gave us the most beautiful, delicious fruit. They are great fruit trees. We need to plant another one. Our original tree was a semi-dwarf from Stark Brothers.

[PlainJane]

@friedgreen51 do you remember what variety it was?
Color of flesh and skin?

[PlainJane]

Wow looks so beautiful !

Thank you! Can’t wait till the old ugly chain link fence is gone in a few weeks.

[Amateurinawe]

@PlainJane I didn't notice it, but I do now. Rep!ace it !

[friedgreen51]

@friedgreen51 do you remember what variety it was?
Color of flesh and skin?

I think it was the Flavor Supreme variety. We bought it from Stark Brother's along with 2 apple trees, and a Santa Rosa Plum. They were all semi-dwarf trees.
I was a very trouble free tree and had the most delicious fruit. We never sprayed it. It seemed to be untroubled by disease.
It had a deep red skin and the flesh was a burgundy color. We grew it along side a Santa Rosa Plum as the pollinator.

[PlainJane]

@PlainJane I didn't notice it, but I do now. Rep!ace it !

Yep, it’s getting the heave-ho later this month.

[PlainJane]

@friedgreen51 do you remember what variety it was?
Color of flesh and skin?

I think it was the Flavor Supreme variety. We bought it from Stark Brother's along with 2 apple trees, and a Santa Rosa Plum. They were all semi-dwarf trees.
I was a very trouble free tree and had the most delicious fruit. We never sprayed it. It seemed to be untroubled by disease.
It had a deep red skin and the flesh was a burgundy color. We grew it along side a Santa Rosa Plum as the pollinator.

Nice! Very highly rated tree and I’d grow it if I had the chill hours.
So far my existing plum, cherry and pluots have been trouble-free too (knock on wood).