Are Plum Hybrid Trees Easy to Grow in Texas?

In January, I planted two pluot and one pluerry bare-root trees, bought from a California nursery. I have to admit I do not care for regular plums and planted these because my family like them. However, after reading about plum hybrids, I thought maybe I will like their complex flavors.

About Plum Hybrids

Plum hybrids are a cross between a Japanese plum and another stone fruit. Pluot is a hybrid of a plum and an apricot; pluerry is a cross between a plum and a cherry. They require 500 chill hours or less and the recommended USDA zones are 6 to 9. So, they can fruit and survive the winter in Houston, Texas. A major con is that plum hybrid trees do not self-pollinate. You need at least two pluot, pluerry or Japanese plum varieties that bloom at the same time to cross pollinate and set fruits.

Plum Hybrid Trees Are Not Hard to Grow in Texas

I planted Flavor Grenade, Flavor King and Flavor Punch trees above grade and in full sun. At first, I pruned them to knee length, because I wanted them to grow as a vase shape. After five months in the ground, they are about 5.5 to 6 feet tall. They are growing even faster than the apple and Asian pear trees in my backyard. During the current heatwave, these plum trees still flush out new growths and actually tolerate Texas extreme hot weather. Out of three varieties, Flavor Grenade pluot grew the fastest and its leaves looked the healthiest. Flavor King pluot grew well, but was the slowest and the most compact. Flavor Punch pluerry grew vigorously; however, the insects have eaten its leaves just like the sweet cherries’.

Flavor Grenade pluot tree after 5 months in the ground, Citation rootstock

Flavor King pluot tree after 5 months in the ground, Citation rootstock

Flavor Punch pluerry tree after 5 months in the ground, Citation rootstock

Follow Up on Their Growth

Updates: Can Cherry, Persimmon & Plum Trees Survive Texas Hot Summer 2023?

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