Phil Pursel from Dave Wilson Nursery teaches about the development of special fruit trees.
Exploring Pluots, Apriums, and Pleries: The Science of Flavorful Hybrid Fruits
Hybrid fruits like pluots, apriums, and plerries have revolutionized orchards with their exceptional flavors and unique characteristics. These innovative creations come from the meticulous hand-pollination and hybridization techniques perfected by Floyd Zaiger and his team at Dave Wilson Nursery in Modesto, California.
What is a Pluot?
A pluot is a hybrid fruit derived from crossing a plum and an apricot. The result is a fruit that retains about 70% plum characteristics and 30% apricot traits. The Zaiger family achieves this by hand-pollinating the blossoms of plums and apricots using tiny paintbrushes. The resulting seed is grown into a tree, which is then grafted onto a rootstock for propagation.
Beyond Pluots: The Creation of Apriums and Pleries
Zaiger didn’t stop at pluots. By back-crossing first-generation pluots with apricots, he developed apriums, which showcase stronger apricot traits with hints of plum.
The innovation doesn’t end there. A pler, one of the latest creations, is a cross between a plum and a cherry. This small plum-like fruit inherits cherry characteristics, offering a unique flavor profile. Other hybrids, like the patum (peach, apricot, and plum parentage), highlight the endless possibilities in fruit hybridization.
The Art of Hybridization
Unlike genetic modification, hybridization is a natural process that Zaiger and his team have accelerated. By carefully controlling pollen compatibility within the same genus, they achieve results in years that might take Mother Nature centuries.
Conclusion
Pluots, apriums, and pleries represent the exciting future of stone fruits, blending the best of their parentage into unique, flavorful combinations. These hybrids showcase the artistry and science behind modern fruit breeding.
