Matt's 9b field note
“Pollinator for the pluot/pluerry zone.”
Background
Introduced in 1906-1907 by Luther Burbank in Santa Rosa, California, from Japanese and European plum crosses; one of the earliest commercial plum hybrids. It became one of the most widely planted plums in the world, and Japanese plum ripening times are still commonly counted relative to Santa Rosa.
Distinguishing traits
Large dark reddish-purple fruit with fragrant amber-yellow flesh, sweet-tart and juicy; showy white-pink spring bloom; self-fertile, vigorous, and early to bear. Early-mid season harvest, June-July.
Desert care — zone 9b
- Chill hours
- 300-500 hours (commonly cited); low enough for Arizona winters.
- Cold hardiness
- USDA zones 5-9 (some sources to zone 10); hardy to about -10°F.
- Heat tolerance
- Very heat tolerant; described by Arizona/California nurseries as the most popular plum in both states.
- Water
- Deep watering; thin heavy crops for fruit size.
- Soil
- Adaptable to a range of soils as long as drainage is good.
- Sun exposure
- Full sun.
Where to buy
- Stark Bro's
- Richardson Roots
- Restoring Eden