QA

How To Repot Olive Tree

When should you repot an olive tree?

The best time to repot or plant your olive tree is in late spring but make sure to protect the tree in prolonged spells of cold. This allows the tree enough time to establish in its new home for the summer and create a hardier specimen for the winter.

What soil is best for olive trees?

Olive trees like extremely well-draining, rocky soil. Plant your tree in a mix of potting soil and perlite or small rocks. When selecting a container, opt for clay or wood.

Do olive trees need big pots?

The olive tree is slow-growing and is therefore ideal for pot-growing; it will thrive in a large pot in a bright spot on the patio or balcony, or in an unheated conservatory or greenhouse. When you need to re-pot your olive, choose a pot just a few inches larger.

Can olive trees grow in pots?

If you don’t have a garden or you’re short on space, you can still grow olives. They will happily grow in large pots – just make sure they have plenty of sunshine! Choose a pot at least 600mm wide. Position in full sun and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Do olive trees like to be root bound?

As with most pot grown plants, olive trees do not like frozen roots. It’s a good idea to insulate the inside of the pot with bubble insulation before you plant. Raising the pot on ‘feet’ will also ensure water can freely drain away.

Is Miracle Grow good for olive trees?

Feeding – Feed your olive trees with ‘Miracle-Gro All Purpose Slow Release’ plant food in spring. If your plant has lost leaves in winter and you want to give it a boost, apply ‘Maxicrop Complete Garden Feed’ fortnightly between May and August to ensure the tree stays healthy, vigorous and happy.

What fertilizer is best for olive trees?

Established olive trees require fertilizer to stay healthy and produce every year. They need a balanced fertilizer with a 16-16-16 nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium ratio or similar.

What soil do olive trees like in pots?

A well-drained potting mix is the best soil for olive trees in pots. Such potting soil is a mix of equal parts of peat, sand, perlite or bark, and organic matter. As well, it can be a mixture of sand, silt, and clay.

How do I keep my olive tree small?

Olive trees are slow growing and do not need much pruning other than to keep to the desired size and shape. Prune in late spring to mid-summer, to remove dead, diseased or dying branches. Thin branches to allow more light into the centre.

Why are the leaves on my olive tree falling off?

The most common problem of olive trees dropping leaves is related to watering when the roots of the olive tree are too soaked or too dry. Another reason is seasonality changes where is normal for an olive tree to shed some leaves especially prior to the winter slowdown.

Can you overwater an olive tree?

Whether you are growing an olive tree in-ground or in a pot in your back yard, overwatering your olive trees can cause serious issues. Overwatering not only drenches your olive tree but the soil around it may cause other imbalances. Olive trees cannot tell you when they had too much water.

What kind of pots do olive trees like?

Container choice Most people grow Olive Trees in terracotta or wood containers being more breathable to help with drainage. Plastic pots are lighter and therefore easier to move though.

How big do olive trees grow in pots?

Growing olive trees in pots While a fully grown olive tree can reach more than 6 metres in height, young olive trees will happily thrive in a pot. Just be sure to select a large container and fill it with nutrient-rich potting mix.

Do olive trees need a lot of sun?

“They require six or seven hours of sunlight to thrive, so put them in your sunniest window, preferably south-facing,” says Clay.

Should I prune my potted olive tree?

Annual pruning is recommended at the end of winter or at the beginning of spring. Potted olive trees prefer light pruning yearly instead of severe pruning every two or three years. Remove branches that have grown from the foot of the tree or along the trunk.

How often should I water my olive tree?

Most indoor olive tree growers water their potted trees once every 3 – 7 days. Currently, I water my small indoor olive tree in a pot once per week. But this watering frequency may be different for you dependent on the temperature in your home, season, pot, and olive tree size.

Are coffee grounds good for olive trees?

Yes, coffee grounds are good for potted olive trees. So apply coffee ground mulch or pine needles in your olive tree pot can help to acidify soil that has a low pH level. Keep in mind the optimum pH level is 6.5 for olive trees. Always test your soil so that you are not adding too much acid.