Name: Flavor King Pluot Tree | Rich, Late-Season Pluot
SKU: Pluot (Flavor King)
Availability: InStock

Pluot (Flavor King)

Flavor King is a benchmark pluot known for its deep sweetness, rich complexity, and firm, satisfying texture—an iconic late-season fruit grown for pure fresh-eating quality.

Richly flavored pluot with complex, sweet profile
Firm texture with dense, juicy flesh
Late-season ripening extends the pluot harvest
Large semi-dwarf tree, easily maintained with summer pruning
Pollination required for reliable fruit set

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Ships late January to February Bare-root pre-order: we ship when the trees are dormant, timed for your region.

Description

Flavor King was developed by Zaiger Genetics and has become one of the most referenced pluots for flavor depth and intensity. Rather than chasing novelty or extreme texture, this variety focuses on delivering a layered, richly sweet eating experience that holds up year after year.

The fruit ripens late in the season and is best enjoyed firm-ripe, when sugars are high and the flesh remains dense and juicy. Flavor is often described as deep and complex, with a balance that feels fuller and more substantial than early-season pluots. Because pluots are at their best fresh and do not store for long, Flavor King shines when allowed to ripen fully on the tree. With proper pollination and harvest timing, it rewards growers with fruit that consistently earns its reputation.

Overview

Late-season pluot prized for rich, complex flavor
Firm texture with dense, juicy flesh
High sugar content at full maturity
Large semi-dwarf habit, manageable with pruning
Requires a pollination partner for consistent crops

Growing Details

Latin Name: Prunus salicina × Prunus armeniaca ‘Flavor King’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Approx. 400 hours
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 5
Rootstock: Myro 29C (large semi-dwarf; maintained easily with summer pruning)
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Typically maintained at 12–14 ft tall and wide with pruning
Flowering Time: Late midseason flowering (within plum / pluot types)
Ripening Time: Late season; typically August to early September depending on 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 size and quality

Additional Notes

Grower’s Insight: Flavor King is often used as a reference point for pluot flavor—dense, sweet, and deeply satisfying when harvested at peak maturity.
Regional Insight: In the Puget Sound and other cool, wet-spring regions, early bloom weather can limit pollinator activity. Planting multiple compatible pluot or Japanese plum varieties nearby and supporting early-season pollinators greatly improves fruit set.
Cool-Spring Pollination Tip: In climates with rainy or chilly bloom periods, success improves with companion plants that bloom early, pollinator habitat, and avoiding insecticide sprays during bloom.
Thin fruit early to prevent limb strain and improve overall fruit quality.
Explore more pluots in our collection: Pluot Trees

Planting & Care

At a Glance – Flavor King Pluot

Sun: 1/2 day to full day of sun
Soil: Well-drained soil
Water: Moderate; consistent during establishment
Size: Large semi-dwarf; controlled with pruning
Pollination: Required; plant partner within 20–30 feet
Harvest: Late season
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 5

Planting & Care – Flavor King Pluot

Site Selection

Select a sunny location to support sugar development and flavor depth.
Good airflow helps reduce disease pressure during ripening.

Soil Preparation

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

Planting Instructions

Dig a wide hole to accommodate the root system.
Set the root flare at or just above soil level.
Backfill with native soil and water deeply.

Watering & Fertilizing

Water regularly during the first 1–2 years.
Once established, water during extended dry periods.
Apply light fertilizer in early spring if growth is weak.

Pollination

Flavor King requires another pluot or Japanese plum for reliable fruit set.
Plant a compatible variety within 20–30 feet.
Cool/Wet Spring Regions: Support early pollinators with companion blooms and habitat, and avoid spraying during bloom.

Pruning & Training

Use summer pruning to control size and maintain balance.
Annual pruning improves light penetration and fruit quality.

Harvest & Use

Harvest firm-ripe for best balance of sweetness and texture.
Pick in multiple passes as fruit reaches peak maturity.
Best enjoyed fresh.

General Tips

Thin fruit early to improve size and prevent limb breakage.
Netting may help in areas with heavy bird pressure.
Patience at harvest pays off with exceptional flavor.

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