Release of Male Pistachio Cultivar 'Randy'

'Randy' is a male pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) cultivar developed for pollination of the new female pistachio cultivars released by the California Agric. Expt. Station.  ‘Randy’ usually flowers earlier than ‘Kerman’ and was developed as a pollenizer for the earlier flowering female cultivars, ‘Golden Hills’ and ‘Lost Hills’  (also released by the California Agric. Expt. Station. During years when ‘Peters’ pollen shed is later than ‘Kerman’s receptive period, ‘Randy’ may be a useful pollinizer for ‘Kerman’ as well as in years when ‘Kerman’ has an irregular bloom period. 'Randy’ flowers from four to eight days earlier than ‘Peters’, and like ‘Peters’, has an extended flowering period. It has flowered well and uniformly during low chill seasons in Kern Co. and Madera Co., California. The pollen is durable, retaining viability for up to 28 days after shed. Initial pollen viability is also high compared to other potential pollenizers.