Sweet fruits of summer merge with juicy autumn delights. The result is different types of mixed fruit. Find out more about unique taste experiences from local gardens.
What are apricot-plum mixed fruits?
Apricot-plum mixed fruits are created by crossing apricots and plums, such as plumcots, apriplums, pluots or apriums. They are characterized by their sweet, juicy taste and various external characteristics. These mixed fruits offer a unique taste experience from local gardens.
Breeding or natural wonder?
Plumcots or Apriplums have been created for hundreds of years where plums and apricots feel at home and thrive. Nature combines apricots with cherry plums or Chinese plums.
Tip:
The Biricoccolo (black apricot, pope apricot) is currently conquering the hearts of German garden lovers. This ancient plant genus originated from a cross between apricot and cherry plum. It is characterized by its sweet and very juicy character. It is also extremely winter hardy. Biricoccolo is growing throughout Germany.
The first generation hybrids (Plumcots or Apriplums) become Pluots or Apriums after further breeding. Botanists call this process variety formation. As a result, the new varieties are characterized by smaller seeds and a distinctive sweetness.
Pluots
Floyd Zaiger bred this combination in the 20th century. The fruits look very similar to plums due to their smooth surface and coloring. According to this scheme, an American variety is currently conquering the world market. The Pluots – Brontosaurius eggs come from apricots, plums, peaches and nectarines.
Apriums
Apriums emerged from complex breeding by Zaiger. They have essential characteristics of apricots.
Plum icon: cultivation and care
The mixed fruit is juicy like a plum and sweet like an apricot. Children love this fresh treat. Due to its low growth height (maximum 3 meters), the hardy plum bush is suitable for cultivation in smaller gardens. It is a pretty eye-catcher in front gardens.
Always remove the lower shoots during the first few years. In this way the small trunk forms well. When planting, simply mix humus soil (€26.00 on Amazon) with compost and horn shavings. The easy-care plum bush prefers natural fertilizer.
Note:
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
- Soil: nutrient-rich, slightly loamy
- sandy soil is not suitable
- Fertilization with compost: annually, after harvest
Keep the soil moist at all times. This has a particularly positive effect on fruit formation. From the third year onwards, the plum bush bears dark reddish fruits in late summer.
Tips & Tricks
These new varieties are available in specialist retailers. When choosing, pay attention to resistant variants that are suitable for the climatic conditions of your garden.
