How long does it take to grow pistachios?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.How to grow pistachios requires your understanding that these trees have their origins in the desert. They want summers that go beyond 100 °F (38 °C) and winters that are below 45 °F (7 °C). I've personally witnessed orchards fail in zone 9 where the winter chill fell short. Your climate will determine success before the first tree is planted.
Soil Testing
- Test pH: Aim for 7.0-7.8 using lab kits
- Check salinity: Reject soils exceeding 4 dS/m EC
- Layer analysis: Sample 0-24in and 24-48in depths
Drainage Fixes
- Clay soils: Mix 40% coarse sand + gypsum
- Raised beds: Build 12in mounds for root protection
- French drains: Install gravel-filled trenches
I learned about pollination timing from a client who had an unsuccessful orchard. Their Kerman female trees bloomed from April 10 to 24, while Peters males were shedding their pollen from April 5 to 18. While distance proved very important, timing was most important. We brought in Randy males with pollen release from April 15 to 28. The following harvest, the clients saw an increase of 40% in production.
Rootstock selection dictates disease resistance. Hybrids with UCB1 rootstock survive verticillium wilt under heavy soils. P. atlantica rootstock thrives without water, but the weakness is in clay. I rely on soil report results for rootstock recommendations, never guess. One bad mistake cost a grower 200 trees.
A harvest can trigger surprising arrivals of the unwelcome kind. That was the case last September when a rattlesnake was hiding under a tarp during the shaking. I suggest some pre-harvest sweeps of the orchard where you're shaking. More practically, look at all the orchards at 70% hull split, and shorts shall be blushed pink. A delay of 48 hours will be a battle with mold and stained kernels!
Read the full article: How to Grow Pistachios: 9 Essential Steps for Success
