Plumcot facts for kids
A plumcot is a special kind of fruit. It's a hybrid, which means it's a mix of two different fruits: a plum and an apricot. Think of it like a cross between them! Plumcots can be a little different from each other. Some are about half plum and half apricot, while others might taste more like a plum.
One very famous type of plumcot is called a pluot. This name is actually a trademark, like a brand name. Pluots were created in the 1980s by a person named Floyd Zaiger. But plumcots themselves have been around even longer! The very first ones were grown in the late 1800s by a plant expert named Luther Burbank.
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What is a Plumcot?
A plumcot is a fruit that combines the best parts of a plum and an apricot. It has the juicy sweetness of a plum and sometimes the slightly fuzzy skin or tartness of an apricot. Because they are hybrids, they can have many different flavors and textures. Some plumcots are very sweet, while others might be a bit tart.
How are Plumcots Made?
Plumcots are made by carefully crossing a plum tree with an apricot tree. This isn't done by simply planting them next to each other. Instead, plant breeders take pollen from one type of tree and use it to fertilize the flowers of the other type. This process is called cross-pollination. The seeds from these special fruits are then planted. If they grow, they produce new trees that yield plumcots!
The Story of Pluots
The pluot is a specific kind of plumcot. It was developed by a scientist named Floyd Zaiger in California. He worked hard to create new fruit varieties. In the 1980s, he successfully bred pluots. He gave them this unique name, which is a mix of "plum" and "apricot." Pluots often have smooth skin, like a plum, and are known for being very sweet.
Who Was Luther Burbank?
Before pluots, the first plumcots were created by Luther Burbank. He was a famous American botanist and plant breeder. He lived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Burbank was known for developing many new types of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. He used careful breeding methods to create plants with better qualities. His work with plumcots was one of his many successful projects.
Images for kids
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A pluot varietal, "raspberry jewel", before (top) and after cutting
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Rose apriums
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Splash Pluot
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Flavorosa pluot
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Splash pluot on tree
