Name: Flavor Grenade Pluot Tree | Crisp, Ultra-Sweet Pluot
SKU: Pluot Tree (Flavor Grenade)
Availability: InStock

Description

Flavor Grenade was bred by Zaiger Genetics to push pluots in a specific direction: maximum sweetness paired with a rare, crunchy texture. Instead of melting soft like many stone fruits, this variety is meant to be eaten firm-ripe—where the bite stays crisp and the sugars feel concentrated and intense.

The fruit is elongated and easy to recognize, typically green with a red blush. It’s a late-season pluot with an unusually long hang-time, which gives you flexibility: you can harvest over multiple passes as fruit reaches peak sweetness, rather than feeling forced into a single short pick.

If you’re after balanced sweet-tart complexity, other pluots may be a better fit. Flavor Grenade is about a bold, high-sugar eating moment—clean, sweet, and satisfyingly crunchy.

Overview

Late-season pluot bred for very high sweetness
Exceptionally crisp “crunch-first” texture
Elongated fruit with green skin and red blush
Extended harvest window due to long hang-time
Pollination required for reliable fruit set

Growing Details

Latin Name: Prunus salicina √ó Prunus armeniaca ’Flavor Grenade’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Approx. 300–400 hours
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5–9
Rootstock: Citation (semi-dwarf)
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Typically maintained at 10–12 ft tall and wide with pruning
Flowering Time: Mid flowering
Ripening Time: Late season; often mid-August into September (varies by region)
Pollination: Pollination required; plant a compatible pluot or Japanese plum within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Standard plum and pluot considerations; good airflow and routine care are important
Yield: Productive once established; thinning improves fruit size and quality

Additional Notes

Grower’s Insight: Flavor Grenade is the crunchiest pluot experience we’ve grown—best harvested firm-ripe, when the bite stays crisp and the sweetness feels concentrated and candy-like.
Regional Insight: In the Puget Sound and other cool, wet-spring regions, early bloom weather can reduce pollinator flight days. Success improves dramatically when you plant a compatible pluot or Japanese plum nearby and support early-season pollinators with companion blooms and habitat.
Cool-Spring Pollination Tip: If bloom weather is rainy, windy, or chilly, plan on multiple varieties for cross-pollination and add early-flowering companions near the orchard to keep pollinators active when pluots bloom.
Thin fruit early to prevent limb stress and improve size.
Explore more pluots in our collection: Pluot Trees

Planting & Care

At a Glance – Flavor Grenade Pluot

Sun: 1/2 day to full day of sun
Soil: Well-drained soil; avoid prolonged saturation
Water: Moderate; consistent moisture during establishment
Size: Compact, semi-dwarf tree
Pollination: Required; plant partner within 20–30 feet
Harvest: Late season
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5–9

Planting & Care – Flavor Grenade Pluot

Site Selection

Choose a sunny site to drive high sugar and strong fruit finish.
Prioritize airflow—especially in humid, coastal, or fog-prone regions.

Soil Preparation

Plant in well-drained soil.
If drainage is marginal, plant on a slight mound to keep roots oxygenated.

Planting Instructions

Dig a hole twice the width of the root system.
Set the root flare at or just above soil level.
Backfill with native soil and water deeply to settle.
Mulch 2–3″ deep, keeping mulch pulled back from the trunk.

Watering & Fertilizing

Water consistently during the first 1–2 years.
Deep water during dry stretches; avoid constant shallow watering.
Apply light fertilizer in early spring only if growth is weak.

Pollination

Flavor Grenade needs a compatible pluot or Japanese plum for reliable fruit set.
Plant a partner within 20–30 feet.
Cool/Wet Spring Regions: If bloom weather is often rainy or chilly (Puget Sound, coastal climates, higher elevations), add pollinator-support companion plants that bloom early and consider encouraging early-season pollinators to improve fruit set.
Avoid spraying insecticides during bloom to protect pollinators.

Pruning & Training

Train to an open center or modified leader for light and airflow.
Annual pruning supports fruit quality and reduces disease pressure.

Harvest & Use

Harvest firm-ripe for the signature crunch.
Pick in multiple passes to catch fruit as sugars peak.
Best enjoyed fresh for the full texture-and-sweetness experience.

General Tips

Thin fruit early to improve size and reduce limb strain.
Netting may be worthwhile in areas with heavy bird pressure during late-season ripening.
This variety rewards timing—don’t rush the harvest if sugars are still building.

Pluot Tree (Flavor Grenade)