Pistacia vera
Pistachio
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Pistachio (Pistacia vera) - Description
Pistachios grow well in areas with cool winters and long, hot summers. They are well adapted to dry conditions and can tolerate poor soils and high salinity. Pistachios have attractive foliage and thus work great as ornamentals. However, they are more popularly cultivated for their fruits. The pistachio nut is considered one of the main edible nuts, along with almonds, macadamias, and cashews. Pistachios will thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. They make nice garden trees, but don't usually grow well in containers.
Pistachio (Pistacia vera) - Blooming
Pistachios are dioecious trees, which means that both male and female trees must be present for fruit production to take place. Either the trees must be planted close together, or a branch from a male tree can be grafted onto a female tree. Pistacia blooms petalless brownish green flowers in early summer followed by reddish fruits. The fruits are drupes, and the edible part is the seed.
Pistachio (Pistacia vera) - Growth
Slow-growing, bushy, deciduous trees with one or more trunks. Pistachios are best adapted to areas with cool winters (needed to break dormancy), and hot, long summers. P. vera is drought resistant and can tolerate high temperatures during the summer season. However, they are sensitive towards excess damp and high humidity conditions. Pistachios are commonly found in dry areas of California, such as the central valley and inland southern California. P. vera makes a great ornamental tree, and is usually not appropriate for containers. Pistachios need full sun to grow best, and can grow to a height and width of about 25-30 feet.
Pistachio (Pistacia vera) - Planting
Pistachios are normally propagated by budding, or grafting scions onto seedling stocks from other species of Pistacia such as P. atlantica and P. terebinthus, which are hardy and resistant to harmful nematodes and soil fungi.
Pistachio (Pistacia vera) - Pest
Pistachios are prone to fungal diseases. In California, the most common disease is Verticillium wilt, which is fatal to the trees. Some pests include aphids, leaf-footed bugs, and stink bugs. The nuts produced by Pistacia attract squirrels, and birds such as bluejays and woodpeckers.
Pistachio (Pistacia vera) - Interesting facts
Pistachios are native to western Asia, including mountainous regions in Iran, Turkmenistan, Turkey, and western Afghanistan. Trees are said to be biennial bearing, which means that the harvest is heavier every other year. Usually, pistachios take about 7-10 years to reach full production potential.
Pistachio (Pistacia vera) - Soil and irrigation
Pistacia does well in deep, friable soil that is well-draining, but still retains some moisture. Pistachios are drought tolerant. They grow best with deep waterings conducted on an infrequent basis.
