An 'orchard grade' is a tree that may be somewhat shorter, slightly crooked, or a bit scratched, or for some other reason is not a perfect front lawn specimen. These trees will work just as well in an orchard as a first or number one would, since they still produce the very same fruit.

Pluots, by definition, are three-quarters plum and one-quarter apricot. Possibly the best known Pluot variety is Dapple Dandy, created by famed fruit breeder Flord Zaiger of Modesto, California. The skin of this large, chubby-cheeked fruit turns to a mottled maroon and pale-yellow, with some residual gray green streaking when ripe, giving rise to the whimsical name of 'Dinosaur Egg', under which it has also been marketed. The flesh, which is bright red, fading to a pinkish white near the centre, is incredibly sweet with a distinct plum apricot flavour that has given Dapple Dandy the winning edge in numerous taste tests. It is known as a good pollenizer for other pluots and plumcots.

NEEDS A POLLENIZER | ZONE 5/6 | HARVEST: MID SEPT