Mission Olive Tree Care
Trees are usually planted in fall or spring.
Mission olive tree care. Olive trees grow slowly especially in fall and winter so avoid overwatering. Avoid sites where water stands during rainy periods or where ground water seeps into a hole two feet deep. At moon valley nurseries we grow the olea europaea mission olive tree on our massive olive tree farm just north of temecula wine country in southern california. Feed the tree once a month in fall and winter with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
It is best for the young olive tree to acclimate to its soil. To start plant your mission olive tree in full sun an area with 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day for best results. To plant a young tree dig a hole twice as wide. Mission olives are reproduced by rooting cuttings although they can be grafted onto rootstock as well.
The mission olive tree originated in california circa 1769 where they were first planted by franciscan priests as they established missions hence the name. And we recommend using a pollinator for the mission the arbequina is a good option as well as the frantoio. Most won t need any additional humidity in your home. Olive trees come potted and are self fruitful produce both male and female flowers on the same tree.
Once you begin to see a quantity of new growth feed the olive tree with nitrogen rich compost conventional fertilizer or concentrated organic. Evergreen long lived beautiful ornamental with soft gray green foliage. Planting care 1. It needs regular watering to thrive.
Once established they are drought tolerant trees with little to moderate water requirements. It s popularity grew due to its growth in california over the years when interest in olives and olive oil increased. Insufficient water will cause your tree to suffer and even die if left too dry for too long. Olive trees require a well drained soil and a sunny position.
Olive trees are native to the mediterranean so they can tolerate dry air. Do not however confuse the olive for a desert plant. See suggested trees under pollenizer for each variety. Once your new olive tree is planted it is a good idea to provide drip irrigation as the tree will need water every day especially during the summer months throughout its first year.