When do I thin my Pluots?

The Pluots in our garden have set on the tree. I know I need to thin them, is this the time? Is there a time when there will be a natural fruit drop, or are they going to pretty much stay as they are (assuming I take care of them).

I'm not good at thinning, I think it is misplaced greed. I'd appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks

I've not grown pluots, but I think the thinning process should be about the same for all fruit trees. I have experience thinning my pears. I agree it is a hard thing to do. Breaking off otherwise healthy small fruits can seem like a waste. You worry about what you leave being broken off, etc, and then having no backup fruit. However, I have experimented with thinning in the past on just some portions of my pear tree and the results are real.

After the tree is done blooming and the fruits begin to swell a little, thin the fruit clusters to no more than two healthy looking, firm fruits. The individual fruits will be much larger come harvest time. Storms and birds will knock a few off from this point on, but usually it is not an appreciable amount.

Good luck,
coachcs - see my garden coach profile at: gardencoachdirectory.wetpaint.com/account/EDCLandscapeDesign