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Bob Morris

Pistachios appreciate desert climate

By BOB MORRIS SPECIAL TO VIEW
November 1, 2013 - 1:13 pm
 

Question: We are considering planting a couple of pistachio trees. Is this a good move? If so, should we plant them in full sunlight or in a spot that gets sun only part of the day?

Pistachios do well here. We have an excellent climate for them. They also make a beautiful landscape tree.

You need a female tree and a male tree somewhere close by. Of course, the female produces the nuts. The male is needed only for pollination. They should get as much full sunlight as possible for good production.

The male needs to be fairly close to the female to get good pollination. Pistachios do not produce nuts until they are about 6 to 8 years old. If you are in a hurry for nuts, you can purchase a tree that is older, and it will produce sooner.

However, if you have the leaf-footed plant bug on your property, you will have to make sure they are kept under control because they will affect almonds, pomegranates and pistachios.

If you can find pistachios this time of year, I would plant them until no later than about mid-November.

Bob Morris is a horticulture expert living in Las Vegas and professor emeritus for the University of Nevada. Visit his blog at xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com.

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