Deciduous pistachio trees ( Pistacia spp . ) have grayish leave and chocolate-brown - green flush with no petals . The fruit is a stone fruit , or nut , that contains an edible reddish or tan seed protected by a creamy white shell . Pistacia vera will grow satisfactorily in some parts of Florida , but because many constituent of the land do not see cold enough winters to meet the pistachio Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s chilling requirements , yield yield may be minimal .

Hardiness Zones

The pistachio tree tree diagram is unfearing in U.S. Department of Agriculture flora hardiness zone 4 through 9 , and Florida ’s plant hardiness zones are 8 through 11 . This intend it ’s potential to develop this tree diagram in Florida , but only in those area that settle in USDA zone 8 or 9 . The yearly average minimum temperature in USDA geographical zone 8 , which includes much of northern Florida , typically ranges between 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit . Zone 9 admit parts of northerly and central Florida , where the average minimum temperatures lay out between 20 and 30 degree . In these parts of the state , you’re able to arise pistachio trees because their chilling requirements are more likely to be met . In southerly and south - central Florida , pistachio trees will not pick up enough chill hours to complete dormancy .

Chill Period

Temperate yield crops such as the pistachio tree require a period of short 24-hour interval and coolheaded to moth-eaten weather to come in a dormant land . The exposure to coolheaded winter temperature for a certain length of prison term — the chill menstruum — is required for the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to flower properly and fix to begin active increase when temperatures raise warmer . For pistachio , chilling temperatures must be below 45 degrees . The region ’s entire number of hours per winter below this temperature fix the thrill period .

Temperature Requirements

Pistacia vera trees ask long , hot , ironic summers , and even opt temperature above 100 degrees , because heat encourage nut filling . However , pistachio tree need about a thousand accumulated shivering minute at or below 45 academic degree during the winter so they can break dormancy and begin normal growth in the springiness . If a pistachio tree diagram does not get enough frisson hours , bud severance , foliage elaboration and blossoming will be delay , and fruit product will be thin out and of low quality .

Other Cultural Requirements

A salubrious pistachio nut tree look on more than just chilling . Pistachio trees will grow in almost all soils , but thrive in mystifying , well - drain , sandlike loam soil . Pistachio Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree tolerate drought , salt and alkaline soil pH , but they do not like ghost or poor drain . They are dioecious , meaning male and distaff flowers are produced on separate trees . One male tree diagram is required for every eight to 10 female tree diagram to control proper pollenation . In an orchard , a male tree is planted in the middle of a engine block of female trees . Because distaff pistachio flower do n’t have nectar petals to attract bee , pollenation trust entirely on the wind . Within a month of pollenation , which occurs between mid - April and mid - May , pistachio Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree create vegetal growth and the flowers form the next year . en are filled after this time during July and the first part of August .

References

Pistachio orchard, late Spring