So, my enabler brings home another tree

Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)

8 years ago

An olive tree.

A bit lopsided but otherwise not bad looking.

Me: "Who's going to take care of it?"

Her: "I will."

Me: "Oh, sure you will."

She knows nothing about plants but does love them. (And me. And I do her.)

Featured Answer

Kelley_GA8a

8 years ago

Beautiful little tree, Vladimir! It should grow in no time at all. I’ve had mine for going on 3 years and it easily tripled in size the first summer. It was about 2ft tall and is well over 6 ft now. The root system is massive! Filled out a 22” pot in less than 3 months.

Water very sparsely in winter and go ahead with a 10-10-10 fert during the growing season.

This is It’s second year in ground- it suffered this past winter, but bounced back just fine. As Nik said, it may never Fruit for me, but I’m enjoying it nonetheless :). I know it’s not citrus, but I would love to follow It’s progress!

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Comments (9)

poncirusguy6b452xx
8 years ago
Wow
Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts) thanked poncirusguy6b452xx
nikthegreek
8 years ago
Nice looking young olive tree. Does not look like it is grafted. I would be interested to see how it does in your conditions and with your winter treatment. I would venture a guess that unless it is kept under proper temps for most of the year it will not bear fruit because it may miss autumn bud forming and spring blooming.
Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts) thanked nikthegreek
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Ike Stewart
8 years ago
I keep thinking about getting an Olive tree, this year I added an Avocado tree, and I don't even particularly like Avocados.
Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts) thanked Ike Stewart
nikthegreek
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Just fyi olive trees can be pruned heavily. Prune in autumn during dry weather. If one is not bothered about fruiting they can be pruned to shape just like a hedging plant. They should be kept in much larger pots than your average citrus of the same size.

Water and fertilise sparsely and make sure you provide a bit of boron together with the other common micronutrients. Too much water and fertiliser will decrease its life span (which is extremely long) and may cause fungal and bacterial infections.

In its native environment the olive tree never goes dormant and relies on autumn to spring rains for its survival. It is very drought tolerant during the long dry summer once established.

If planted in ground it may be better to avoid much mulching around its root area.
Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts) thanked nikthegreek
Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
Original Author
8 years ago
Nic, thank you for the tips.
stacydkas
8 years ago
I got an olive tree as well!! My birthday present. Its gotten about 6 inches of new growth since the 20th of June! I have no idea how to care for this baby! I will be watching yours closely and probably driving you crazy! After all you are my "lemon tree wisperer"!!
Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts) thanked stacydkas
Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
Original Author
8 years ago
Happy Birthday, Stacy! I bare rooted it and repotted my olive tree into a next size up clay pot (it was slightly root bound) in gritty mix. It is in partial shade now for a week or two before I put it into direct sun.

Good luck with your olive tree!

Vlad
stacydkas
8 years ago
Thank you!! And yes, this one was so root bound the roots were coming out the bottom of the pot it was in. I think it's called a "tap root"?? Was hanging out about 10 to 12 inches! I put it in this pot and after a week it started taking off!! I'm excited! Oh and lemon tree is bursting with growth for the 2nd time this summer!!
Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts) thanked stacydkas