In pistachio, male and female flowers are produced on seperate trees. A female tree planted singly will not produce nuts unless a male tree is growing nearby. For the best chance of pollination, plant a male upwind of every 10 to 15 male trees. The easiest way to do this is to spread tarpaulins under the tree then simply shake the trunk — ripe drupes will fall off the branches.
Commercial farmers often use mechanical agitators to shake their trees, allowing a very rapid harvest. If the hull has split naturally the seed needs to be inspected for signs of mold infection, because this can create dangerous aflatoxins.
In commercial production the seeds are then sorted by how open the shell is — more open shells are easier to remove, and often go to be roasted and packaged as snacks. The more closed ones can be mechanically shelled and processed into other food products. Contact Info Need Help? Type below to search. Though the pistachio tree will grow in almost any soil type, it does best in light, sandy, loamy soils that are well-draining.
Wet, heavy soil is not an option for these trees. Because of their long taproots, it is important that the soil reaches deep into the ground. The pistachio tree is very drought-tolerant and prefers arid landscapes.
However, do not allow this reputation to think it gives you an excuse to deprive your pistachio tree of water. They still require plenty of water to produce an abundant nut harvest. Your tree will appreciate deep, infrequent waterings, allowing the water to saturate the soil.
In the heat of summer, extra water is appreciated. Allow the water to drain before watering again; the pistachio does not do well in soggy soil or standing water.
For large orchards, many people use irrigation systems. These trees like it hot! Optimal temperatures for the pistachio tree hover at around degrees Fahrenheit. Despite loving such hot temperatures, it does require colder temperatures 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below for a portion of the year.
This temperature dip triggers dormancy, which is crucial for surviving winter weather. However, pistachio trees can't tolerate frozen ground. Unlike tropical plants that like hot temperatures and humidity, the pistachio tree does not like too much moisture. It thrives in hot, arid climates. Before adding any fertilizer, it is important to know what your soil may lack by having a soil test done.
If it is lacking in nitrogen, phosphorous, or potassium, you can tailor the fertilization to fit the nutrient needs of your tree. It is best to apply the fertilizer in the late winter to early spring to help produce a good harvest. It typically takes a tree five to seven years to bear nuts , usually in October.
Pistachios trees have been cultivated for their drupes and seeds for many thousands of years with archeological evidence of pistachio consumption dating back as far as BCE.
Pistachio trees are planted in orchards to make them easier to pollinate and to manage, and can take up to 20 years to reach their peak production! It is only the female pistachio tree that bears fruit, and so many pistachio trees are now artificially pollinated so as not to waste space on unproductive male plants, however some countries still allow their pistachio trees to pollinate naturally by planting male trees in the vicinity of the female trees. Harvesting in the United States is usually accomplished with equipment that vigorously shakes the tree causing the drupes to fall to the ground; however, in most other countries, the harvest is still conducted by hand!
Once collected from the ground, the drupes are then dried and processed to remove their thick hulls so that just the pistachio seed remains. Depending on their grade and demand, these pistachios may be kept in their shells or de-shelled and further processed. So there you have it - a quick overview of how, and where, pistachios are most commonly grown.
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