Aprium Tree (Cot-N-Candy)

Description

Cot-N-Candy® Aprium is built for pure sweetness. When picked at full maturity, it delivers soft, candy-like apricot flavor with very low acidity—an easy favorite for growers who want an unmistakably sweet, dessert-style fruit. This apricot–plum hybrid ripens in the middle of the aprium season, after the earliest selections but well before late-season types. The smooth-skinned fruit leans strongly apricot in character, with a gentle, approachable eating quality rather than sharp brightness or complexity. Cot-N-Candy rewards careful timing at harvest. Flavor develops rapidly near full ripeness, and fruit picked too early can taste simple.

For growers willing to wait, the payoff is a consistently sweet, crowd-pleasing aprium that shines fresh off the tree.

Overview

• Apricot √ó plum interspecific hybrid (Aprium®)
• Sweetness-first flavor profile with low acidity
• Smooth-skinned fruit for fresh eating
• Mid-season ripening within apriums
• Self-fertile

Growing Details

Latin Name: Prunus armeniaca √ó Prunus salicina ’Cot-N-Candy’Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soilChill Requirement: Approx. 500 hoursHardiness: USDA Zone 7–10Rootstock: CitationBearing Age: 1–3 yearsSize at Maturity: Semi-dwarf; typically maintained around 10–14 ft with pruningFlowering Time: Early to mid flowering (within interspecific stone fruits)Ripening Time: Mid-season for apriums; typically earlier than most pluots (timing varies by region)Pollination: Self-fertilePests & Diseases: Standard stone fruit considerations; good airflow supports healthy growthYield: Moderate to good once established

Additional Notes

• Grower’s Insight: Cot-N-Candy is best harvested fully ripe—its defining sweetness develops late, and patience at harvest makes all the difference.
• Regional Insight: In cooler or wetter spring climates such as the Pacific Northwest, coastal regions, or higher elevations, a warm, sunny site and open canopy help ensure consistent bloom and fruit quality.
• Ripening Context: Cot-N-Candy typically ripens after early apriums like Flavor Delight and Leah Cot, and before late-season selections such as Summer Delight.
• Thin fruit in heavy years to improve size and reduce limb stress.
• Explore more interspecific hybrids in our collection: All Interspecific Hybrids