Production is alternate bearing or biennial, meaning the harvest is heavier in alternate year. The pistachios are very tough plants, tolerant of extreme heat, drought and poor soils.
Pistachio trees thrive on heat; better nut filling and fewer blanks are produced in hot-weather climates. Summer temperature above 100 °F is considered as ideal. However, winters need to be cold enough to complete their dormancy. Adequate winter chilling is essential but this varies with variety.
Pistachio trees grow in virtually all soils. However, they grow better in deep, sandy loam soils. Tree density should be increased in poorer soils. After planting, soil should be cultivated periodically for 5 to 7 years by which time tree are 2 to 3 m tall.
A deep sandy loam having a neutral pH and a rooting depth greater than 60 cm is ideal for commercial nut production.
Pistachios are more tolerant of moderately saline and alkaline conditions than other types of nut tree.
Because pistachio trees are expensive to maintain, corporation rather than single individuals tend to invest in orchards.
Cultivation of pistachios
