R.I.P. Floyd Zaiger - Father of the Pluot, Aprium, Pluerry and 446 Fruit Patents

The fruit world lost an absolute treasure with the passing of Floyd Zaiger in June 2020. Floyd Zaiger founded Zaiger Genetics, and for decades along with his staff and family, naturally crossed different stone fruit, resulting in hundreds of new and improved fruit. Many of the best stone fruit you can buy in the store, or to plant are the result of the meticulous efforts and expertise of Floyd Zaiger. This video is a brief tribute to Floyd, and to bring light to the incredible work he did. The book "The Perfect Fruit: Good Breeding, Bad Seeds, and the Hunt for the Elusive Pluot" is available here: amzn.to/34iBym8
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I was saddened to hear that floyd zaiger, foundert of zaiger genetics had passed away in June of this year. Floyd was responsible for many of the varieties sold through dave wilson nursery, and had 440 patents on fruit trees. He perfected the method on how to make hybrid fruit trees, which through his cross pollination resulted in his best known creation: the pluot fruit tree. Pluot fruit is a natural cross between plums with some apricot parentage, scientifically known as an interspecific hybrid. Floyd Zaiger's fruit has graced grocery isles, as well as planted in backyard orchards like mine. I really enjoyed a couple videos; one featuring Charles Malki, and another with Dave Wilson Nursery's Tom Spellman, as he visited with Floyd on their regular fruit tours. Following in the steps of fruit grower luther burbank, there is hardly an urban farm out there without a Zaiger variety. For the urban farmer wanting tasty fruit trees, these hybrids represent tasty options. Considering how many types of new fruit trees never make it to market, these Zaiger varieties are truly the best of the bunch for fruit trees in backyard. With dwarfing varieties enabling planting fruit trees in pots, or planted in a regular fruit trees garden, there are so many options available to a grower that didn't used to be. Some popular varieties that have graced backyard orchards include flavor king pluot, low chill cherries, and the renowned "Spice Zee" nectaplum. Some of our recent Zaiger varieties include a unique fruit called a pluerry (part plum, part cherry). These hybrid fruits, and their associated hybrid fruit trees, have revolutionized and revitalized the the fruit industry, as well as making it possible to grow these hybrid fruit plants at home. Thank you Floyd.

[@TheBusyGardener]

The book "The Perfect Fruit: Good Breeding, Bad Seeds, and the Hunt for the Elusive Pluot" is available here: amzn.to/34iBym8 What Zaiger fruit have you eaten or grown?

[@TysDigitalVideoTreasures]

My grandparents were friends with Floyd Zaiger for many years, I got to meet him on many occasions. Floyd and his wife would come stay with my grandparents in Laguna Beach, and he would bring us tons of Pluots direct from his orchard. It's been over 15 years since I saw them last, they were the sweetest people to visit with! He will be missed. ❤

[@TheBusyGardener]

That is a really amazing connection! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@IVOrganic]

OH NO!!! I had no idea! :-( Our condolences & prayers from our family to his!!! 🙏 Great job educating others on the invaluable contribution Zaiger has made in revolutionizing the best Prunus-variety trees on the planet! He’s the “most prolific stone fruit breeder in the modern era.” I think of him every time I pass my Zaiger pluot in my home orchard, and he’ll NEVER be forgotten! Rest In Peace Floyd! Love, Charles Malki & Family 🙏❤️

[@NJCALI]

I saw it on the Dave Wilson site in late July I was gong to create content on it this month Aswell I’m glad busy gardener did this video

[@TheBusyGardener]

I immediately thought of you Charles, and remembered the video you posted meeting him with Isabella. That was a neat opportunity you had to visit Zaiger Genetics and to meet Floyd. He definitely made his mark, and I'm also praying for comfort for his family as they grieve.

[@cwcobo]

Charles, you and Cameron need to think about doing a vid or two together. It be nice to get two of my favorite fruit growers riffing off each other. I think you've both filmed with Tom Spellman and those were great vids too.

[@cwcobo]

Bless you and your family for adopting children. I was adopted, my parents have both passed and I miss them terribly. They were the best people ever. I have the Dapple Dandy, Flavor Grenade, and just this year the Flavor Supreme. The first two were planted 3 years ago and so they fruited for the first time last year and they were both wonderful. Can't wait to try the Flavor Supreme in a couple of years. Thank you Zaiger family for your achievements and for the wonderful legacy of Floyd Zaiger.

[@TheBusyGardener]

You are so kind. It's an amazing privilege, not without its challenges, but we believe it's so crucial. You're proof of that!

[@aliahliah4666]

Hi, Cameron! I was honored to grow up around and know Mr. Zaiger for the last 22 years of his life. He was an extraordinary person with many talents and a mind packed full of information he was always ready to share. I imagine had he been able to see this, he would’ve loved and appreciated it. Thank you for sharing and admiring his work. It truly has grown into something everyone can enjoy. A gift that continues to give. Such a great video! Thank you for the homage to Mr. Zaiger. God bless!

[@TheBusyGardener]

Your comment warmed my heart. What a blessing to have known Mr. Zaiger! I unfortunately didn't have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Zaiger, but was grateful to share his professional passion and impact he had on the fruit world.

[@palecompass3598]

I had the pleasure of meeting the Zaigers and writing about their work when I was a young reporter. Candy really does grow on trees. I'll never forget it. Walking around their orchard was among the best culinary experiences of my life.

[@TheBusyGardener]

What a treasured memory to have. They're heroes in the fruit world.

[@NJCALI]

He passed June 23 2020. I think he was 94 or 95 Dave Wilson nursery posted it on their website about a month ago I’m glad you did this special content I was going to do one I only one of his trees He was an amazing man will be truly missed

[@TheBusyGardener]

He was an amazing man, and it's neat to see his legacy live on through his family and Zaiger Genetics.

[@tgrone882]

Hey Cameron, thanks for this tribute video to Mr. Zaiger. My 16 interspecifics I planted this year will remind me of him for many years to come. Thanks again Buddy!

[@TheBusyGardener]

Thanks Tommy. Your yard is a living tribute to Floyd!

[@blabla9845]

I just planted an Aprium tree, thank you Floyd!

[@TheBusyGardener]

Keeping his legacy alive!

[@HotStepper89]

i have nothing but utmost respect to a man like Floyd, he's dedicated most of his life to make this world a better place for everyone... unfortunately most of the crosses haven't made it to australia yet cos such things time with biosecurity regulations 🤦🏻‍♂️ but some of the interspecific varieties do exist here and i had the chance to get a spring satin plumcot last month and add it to my garden. i spent sometime to figure out the difference between the pluot, plumcot and apriums since they're all crosses between plums and apricots... and apparently plumcots and apriplums are direct crosses between plums and apricots [first generation cross]. and when those first generation crosses cross with another plum/apricot or another first gen corss, they produce pluots or apriums, as those are the second generation crosses. it's very interesting thing and i'm planning to add to my garden whatever cross i can get... and end up having a corner like you did in your garden

[@TheBusyGardener]

That's a great sentiment for Floyd. He truly did leave a good mark on this earth! I'm sad that these crosses haven't made it to Australia (but do understand the need to control incoming plants). While you don't have access to all the varieties being developed here, it's terrific that you can still get some great cultivars down under.

[@eithieus1652]

Sad to hear. Hopefully his family press on. Thanks for all the great fruit Floyd. You will be in my thoughts as I eat the fruit you created.

[@TheBusyGardener]

Much appreciated

[@jakemarlow8998]

Thanks for all the awesome information. You described the complicated process very well. Even I could understand it!

[@TheBusyGardener]

Great to hear!

[@BestlifeNomad]

Great information. Thank you. I have a pluot and it's delicious!

[@TheBusyGardener]

It really is!

[@angelbear_og]

I just discovered the perfection that is the pluot 3 weeks ago! I'd heard of them before, but although I like the taste of plums I'm not a fan of the texture. And the color of the pluot was never appetizing to me. Great kid who runs one of the booths at the farmers market I go to told me the pluot is crispy and I really should try it. I bought a few -- and they didn't even last the weekend! Holy smokes, they are my new favorite fruit! So thank you, posthumously, to Mr. Zaiger.

[@TheBusyGardener]

The work Floyd's team did has brought such variety and quality to stone fruit, and I'm glad you gave it a shot!

[@angelbear_og]

@@TheBusyGardener Me too! ^_^

[@daletiger35]

Oh no, without this man, we probably wouldn’t have the pluot and a few other varieties.

[@TheBusyGardener]

He revolutionized what we can plant in our orchards

[@cioaeuirtert]

Great Floyd Zeiger ❤

[@TheBusyGardener]

Floyd was a hero in this space

[@DeepRoots2008]

Nice tribute!!! I have a Dapple Dandy Pluot in my orchard!!!

[@TheBusyGardener]

A classic!

[@dnimon936]

what does inna resting mean?

[@TheBusyGardener]

Closed caption error on the word "interesting"?

[@SourLemons_]

That’s my grand-uncle!

[@TheBusyGardener]

What an amazing legacy to be part of! 😊

[@ehilderful]

Floyd Zaiger? No it's not....

[@SourLemons_]

@@ehilderful uh yeah?

[@TheBarovian]

I thought Luther Burbank was the father of the prunus hybrids.

[@TheBusyGardener]

If Floyd Zaiger of Prunus hybrids, the. Luther Burbank is the grandfather. There is no doubt he brought some new cultivars, but Zaiger was so prolific in introducing totally new types, it's hard to compare the two