Pistachio is a deciduous tree that is native to central Asia and the Middle East. The pistachio tree can grow to a height of 20-30 feet and has a lifespan of around 50 years. The leaves of the pistachio tree are large and compound with 10-20 leaflets. The flowers of the pistachio tree are small and greenish-yellow in color. The fruit of the pistachio tree is a green, edible drupe that contains a large, edible seed.
Related plant:
Pistachio Hydrangea
About soil condition, it's very important for the pistachio tree to have well-drained soil. The tree roots need to be able to spread out in search of water, so planting in too much clay or compacted soil can be detrimental. A raised bed is an ideal way to give pistachios the well-drained soil they prefer.
So, like the other types of nuts, pistachios grow on trees. In fact, the pistachio tree is a member of the cashew family. These days, most pistachios come from California, but they originally hail from the Middle East and central Asia. Pistachio trees need full sun to produce the best nuts. They can tolerate some shade, but they wont produce as many nuts. Pistachio trees also need well-drained soil. The trees are drought-tolerant, but they produce more nuts if they get some irrigation during the growing season.
The temperature condition for storing pistachios is relatively cool and dry, between 32 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity level of around 20 percent. If kept in these conditions, the nuts will last for several months.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 30% RH. Pistachio trees are native to Central Asia and the Middle East. They grow best in arid, desert-like conditions with low humidity. If the humidity is too high, the tree will produce fewer nuts.
The fertilizer, usually the plant food, for a pistachio tree is a 6-6-6 or 8-8-8 fertilizer that is a granular, slow-release fertilizer. There are many brands of fertilizer that will work. The amount of fertilizer and the number of times per year you fertilize depends on the age of your tree, the type of soil you have, and whether you are growing your tree in a pot or in the ground. A rule of thumb is to apply 1/4 to 1/2 pound of fertilizer per year for each year of the tree's age. If you are unsure, it is always better to err on the side of too little fertilizer rather than too much. Apply the fertilizer around the tree, taking care not to get any on the trunk or leaves, and water it in well.
Pruning your pistachio tree is important to maintain a healthy plant and produce a good crop. You should prune your tree every year, in late winter or early spring. Start by removing any dead or diseased branches. Then, cut back any branches that are rubbing together or crossing over each other. Finally, trim back any branches that are growing too close to the trunk of the tree.
Propagation is the process of creating new plants from existing ones. Pistachios are commonly propagated by rooting hardwood cuttings taken from the previous year's growth. The cuttings should be about 6 inches long and should be taken from healthy, disease-free plants.
Usually, the plant growth rate during the first few years after planting, and then taper off. Water, however, is the key to keeping your young trees healthy and producing a good crop. The trees are quite drought tolerant once they are established, but during the first few years they need regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather.
Common problems for this kind of plant are root-knot nematodes, crown gall, verticillium wilt, and pistachio twig dieback. These problems are caused by nematodes, bacteria, and fungi that attack the roots, stems, and leaves of the pistachio tree. They can cause the tree to lose leaves, produce fewer nuts, and eventually die.
Source:
Pistacia chinensis (Chinese Pistache, Chinese Pistachio) | North ...
Pistachios - UC Drought Management
Pistachios lower cholesterol, provide antioxidants - Penn State
