brownmola:

I've been able to get pluot to fruit the second leaf, the year after planting, if I get good growth the first year. Any branches the trees have at planting don't make much difference in the first fruit. Growth the first year is more important.

My only concern with the potted trees is how long have they already been potted. Because you really need to repot at least every 2-3 years unless you want to fruit them about 4 years and start over with new trees. They won't last longer than 4-5 crops max without repotting. If you leave them more than a couple years without repotting the rootball gets so dense as to be a real mess.

If you buy bare root they can be cut off low unless the trees are over 3/4 to 1 inch caliper. Then they may not resprout that low. In pots I like branches starting at 12 inches or less because overall tree height, with pot, is best for me at ~6ft, 7 max.

I'd start bare root if the trees are less than 3/4 inch. One half to 5/8 inch even better.

Let me clarify that these potted trees from the nursery will be going into the ground or a large raised bed immediately after purchase. Does that change your advice?

Thanks Fruitnut!

Doesn't really change anything except I do top in-ground trees a little higher. I lost one of those this year that I topped at 18 inches. Only sprouts were from the rootstock.

Yes, chop 'em off at the knee just like the What Is Backyard Orchard Culture? document recommends. Too easy, and works great.
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