Rest Enhancement Applications for Pistachios Pt. 2

Chill hour accumulation is important in pistachios and this winter has been on the cooler side but you never know. It could warm up for the rest of January into the spring. A product known as surround and calcium carbonate materials could help.

Bob Beede is a UCANR Emeritus Farm Advisor in Kings County, now working as a private consultant for pistachio and walnut growers.

“If I were a farmer I would certainly give it a go but my decision would be basically a personal decision,” said Beede. “Unfortunately there just is not enough good information that I'm aware of that allows me to be a proponent of these potentially rest enhancement sprays, unless the daytime temperatures are within 10 degrees of that 45 degree bud temperature threshold.”

Beede said that no one knows Betty said no one really knows what that threshold will be. “That's where it really becomes a personal decision because the farmer who does put it on and then does have a increase in rest enhancement because there are sufficient number of hours during the day in which the temperatures are only 55 degrees, and thus the spray lowers bud temperature and helps satisfy rest. Then they come out a hero.” Beede said.