‘Randy’ Male Pistachio

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of pistachio tree denominated ‘Randy’ is described. This cultivar is an early flowering male that will be used as a pollenizer for ‘Golden Hills’ and ‘Lost Hills’. It has excellent flowering synchrony with ‘Golden Hills’ and ‘Lost Hills’ and can be used to cover the earlier part of the ‘Kerman’ flowering period during seasons in which ‘Kerman’ flowering is extended. This generally occurs during seasons of low chill, which are expected to become more frequent in the future due to continued global warming. ‘Peters’, the standard male used to pollenize ‘Kerman’, often flowers too late to cover the earlier part of the ‘Kerman’ bloom period under these conditions. ‘Randy’ was selected for high pollen viability, durability, and a high level of pollen production (based on visual evaluation). ‘Randy’ flowers 2 to 4 weeks earlier than ‘Peters’, the standard pollenizer for ‘Kerman’. ‘Peters’ flowers too late to be a very effective pollinator for the new cultivars.