Olive Tree In Pot Not Growing
Olive trees are native to the mediterranean and are grown for their fruit the olives which are then used on their own or made into olive oil.
Olive tree in pot not growing. Plant your tree at the depth it has been growing in the pot. Do not amend the soil with organic material moisture retaining polymers fertilizer or anything else. Unless you are growing an olive tree for a strictly ornamental purpose it is most advisable to plant a specimen with a single trunk for ease of harvest. As well you can run into problems if the pot is too large for the current olive tree size.
Assuming your climate suits the olive you should acquire a sapling from a nursery or buy one online through this link. Keep reading to learn more about potted olive tree care and how to grow an olive tree in a pot. A layer of gravel styrofoam lava rock crushed cans or anything loose should fill the bottom of the pot. After that prune the olive tree during the spring season.
Too often the olive trees are planted a little bit too deep in the pot causing root defects. Keep the pot in full sun. Pruning skip out on pruning your olive tree during the first year. Larger more established olive trees do not need to be re potted on a yearly basis but will benefit from a small layer of compost spread around the base of the tree.
If you don t live in a warm climate consider growing olive trees in pots indoors. Those that live in usda zone 8 or warmer can actually grow olive trees outdoors but if you do not don t fret there is hope for you. Simply plant in the native soil provided it is well drained and backfill with the same. Olive trees are usually purchased in either 4 inch pots with numerous side branches and a height of 18 24 inches or in a 1 gallon pot with a single trunk and a height of 4 5 feet.
While we can dream of owning an olive grove like the one we visited in the galilee olive trees successfully grow in pots too. Any commercial well draining potting soil will be fine for an olive tree. A fortnightly feed with liquid seaweed extract will help keep your olive tree healthy along with an annual springtime top dressing with a slow release fertiliser. Olive trees grown from pits revert to the original wild olive and if they produce fruit at all it will be wizened and not very good to eat.
The pot should have ample drainage holes and be propped up on blocks to ensure the holes are not obstructed. Come spring the trees are wheeled out to the sunshine again. Because the roots are no longer feeding the tree tree growth is stunted and the foliage becomes sparse. When planted olive tree into the pot make sure to set the tree in the pot so that the soil line on the root ball is about 5 cm 2 inches depth.
Although drought tolerant the restriction of roots growing in a pot means olive trees must be watered regularly and the compost should not be allowed to dry out.