Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote:
I'm new to growing fruit trees and as much as I've searched, I can't
find an easy to understand description of the life/season cycle of my
pluots and cherries.

I just want to know when to expect the leaves to fall, preventative
care, fertilization and whatever else is important.

I'm zone 9 and these are first year bare roots (both multi-variety)
that have doubled/tripled in size

If you look up plums, peaches and other stone fruit you may have better luck
than pluots which are rarer. Most, if not all, of the information will be
transferable. In summary, if you want good fruit you need to defeat 101
things that want it too.

Your cycle starts in winter when the trees are dormant. There are some
disagreements about pruning time (apparently there are some situations where
winter pruning is not recommended) but I have always pruned then and it
works for me. Young trees need more attention as you will be shaping them
for the future.

Late winter to early spring, just before bud swell, you will want to spray
with a copper-based fungicide to prevent peach leaf curl. Depending on your
conditions (microclimate, progress of the season, what month you call spring
and the cultivars you have) the buds will swell and burst in early spring,
usually flowers first them leaves. If it is dry you would start watering
then. Once you have leaves feed the trees. I use horse and chook manure.
Don't over feed especially with strong fertiliser like chook manure and
synthetics. If you are unsure how much to apply several small applications
is safer than one big one. About this time the grass and weeds will get
going so clear around the trees and mulch to avoid root competition and
conserve moisture. Keep the mulch off the tree trunk.

Depending on your situation the fruit will be mature anywhere from mid
spring to mid summer. Ripen them on the tree for maximum lusciousness. As
they swell you need to start testing for fruit fly if these are in your
area. If the crop is too heavy for the branches thin before the fruit get
too large. Keep your eyes open for fungal diseases on the fruit or leaves
especially if the weather is damp for any length of time. You will have to
act quickly as some fungi can ruin your crop in a few days if not caught.
Around this time you may need to protect against fruit predators. Birds,
bats, possums and other frugivorous beasties will flock to your orchard if
they are in the area. Continue supplementary watering as required, uneven
moisture can cause problems with fruit. Feed again in mid summer. When the
leaves fall in autumn stop watering unless it is excessively dry. There may
be other pests to look out for that I don't get here so talk to growers in
the area.

David