How to grow an olive tree at home: secrets. Description of the olive tree, where it grows, the benefits of the fruit Olive indoor plant

To grow olive trees you need temperate climate. If you live in a region where the weather for this plant is unfavorable, then planting can be done even in an apartment, providing the necessary temperature regime. How to grow an olive tree at home? Detailed instructions.

Choosing a variety

First you need to choose a variety of olives. This condition is important because they have different purposes:

• for food consumption;
• for making oil;
• for any purpose.

When planning to grow an olive tree at home, use dwarf plants. They are designed specifically for this.

Olives are a dioecious species. This means that both male and female cells are needed to produce fruit. Pollination in natural conditions produced by the wind. You will have to do this yourself at home, using a brush or a piece of fur.

Olive propagation methods

Seedlings can be obtained in three ways:

• using seeds;
• planting cuttings;
• through vaccination.

1. How to grow an olive tree from a seed

This method differs in duration. It takes 10–15 years from planting to fruiting. The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. Remove pits from fresh olives.
2. Soak them in a 10% lye solution overnight.
3. Rinse with warm water.
4. Dry with a paper towel.
5. File away the hard layer of the seed (to facilitate germination).
6. Plant the seed in the ground to a depth of 2–3 cm.
7. Expect germination for approximately 3 months, maintaining an optimal temperature of + 18 C heat.

Important Tips:

1. For the soil, use a mixture of sand, turf and garden soil in a ratio of 2:1:1 with the addition of a small part of peat and lime (in total 25 g per 1 kg of soil).
2. choose a pot small sizes. As the plant grows, it increases. This makes it easier to control watering. Olive does not tolerate excess moisture.

The seedling is replanted every year until it reaches five years of age. Then after 2 - 3 years.

2. Vegetative propagation

It's more quick way, demonstrating how to grow an olive tree at home. Such a seedling will begin to bloom faster, inheriting everything varietal characteristics. For vegetative propagation Cuttings or root suckers are used. The process takes place in several stages:

1. Annual cuttings are prepared.
2. The cut site is treated with a preparation that promotes rooting.
3. The cuttings are planted in wet sand (March), ensuring an optimal temperature of + 20 C. If you plant the cuttings in a transparent container, you can control the root formation process.
4. The sand is regularly moistened.
5. With help plastic bag A greenhouse is created above the cuttings. After the roots appear, the cuttings are transplanted into the soil.
6. On permanent place The seedling is planted in autumn (August - September).

To shorten the period until the olive begins to bloom and bear fruit, it can be grafted using varietal plants.

3. Olive grafting

Reproduction is carried out by budding. An erupting eye is cut from the stem and placed in a split in the bark. The first fruits appear after 8–10 years.

Olive tree care

Caring for a young plant involves removing lower leaves and new shoots. This will help give the plant a tree-like appearance. Shrunken, weakened or heavily vegetative shoots should also be removed.

The plant should be in the brightest place in the apartment, and in winter it needs additional lighting. Water it daily, but in small quantities. IN spring period Feeding with complex fertilizers is necessary. In winter, water less and do not fertilize. Transfer to another place (less warm + 10–12 C). During this period, flower buds are formed. In spring the plant blooms.

Doctors say that olives can resist cancer cells, cleanse the body of cholesterol and increase intelligence. In canned, salted and stuffed form, they are present on every festive table. But, unfortunately, many have the opportunity to be content with a healing and nutritious delicacy only for a celebration. Experienced people told us how to grow an olive tree at home and introduce the delicacy into your daily diet. We will talk about this later in the article.

Dating a Southern girl

They also knew about the unique characteristics primitive people. Homeland of culture Olea europaea considered to be the southeastern regions of the Mediterranean. Today these evergreen trees with a flattened rounded crown are found in Mexico, Peru, Italy, Greece, Spain, Iran, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Georgia, Crimea and the northern part of India.

Due to the fact that the subtropical tree is not adapted to the severe cold of the temperate climate zone, no one has ever managed to grow it on the street in our country. But under the conditions, many reaped good harvests. As it turned out, olive tree in a pot develops no worse than in.

Did you know? On a global scale, the most major manufacturers European olives are Spain (4,556 thousand tons per year), Italy (3,150 thousand tons) and Greece (2,300 thousand tons). At the same time, 90 percent of the entire harvest is processed into olive oil. Even without preservatives, this product can be stored for a long time.

There is no corner on the globe where you can find wild olive trees. Since ancient times, the plant has been cultivated and is still widely cultivated for oil production.
Botanists classify olives as belonging to the genus Olives and describe them as either trees, from 1 to 12 m high, with a gnarled thick and hollow trunk, gray bark, long and gnarled branches, leathery leaves of a narrow lanceolate shape, fragrant inflorescences of cream or milky and elongated oval fruits with a stone.

A characteristic feature of olive trees is their gray-green color. back side foliage, and the inside is silvery. Moreover, the leaves on the branches are gradually renewed over the course of 2–3 years.
Olives bloom from the second ten days of April until the beginning of summer. Each paniculate cluster opens up to 40 buds. Over time, they grow into hard green, black or dark purple knuckles with a pointed nose and fleshy flesh. They ripen in 5 months.

Important! Gardeners note a sharp decrease in yield for those plants that experienced drought a month and a half before flowering and did not receive enough nutrients in the substrate. Cross-pollination will help correct the situation to some extent.

In their natural environment, olives enter the fruiting phase once every 2 years, so when growing indoors, you don’t have to worry if it doesn’t bloom one day. Experts say that mature trees are productive for 20 years. After this period, they need to be replaced with young seedlings.

Where to buy and how much it costs

Thanks to technological progress, today it is very easy, without even leaving home, to get the most exotic and unique plant from any corner of the planet. But in the case of olive trees, just look into any garden center or an online store. Of course, the first option is much better, because when making a purchase, you will immediately be able to visually assess the condition and potential of the plant. And in the second case, you can get a pig in a poke.

Regardless of your preferences for the place of purchase, choose those organizations that value their reputation and enjoy authority among buyers. Therefore, when you get excited about the idea of ​​getting an olive tree, first of all study the market.
Gardeners who have already dealt with this southern crop are advised to buy specimens that are more than 2 years old. Be prepared that their price is much more expensive than annual seedlings. But it is justified by the overgrown crown and powerful root system. Such a tree will more easily tolerate a change in habitat.

Did you know? In Croatia, all the olive plantations, which amounted to about a million trees, were burned by German soldiers during the Second World War.

Depending on the variety and age, in Ukraine you can buy European olive for 440–14000 hryvnia. Large plants at the peak of the growing season and fruiting they cost about 22,000 hryvnia. In Russia, a small and medium-sized southerner can be purchased for 5,700–20,000 rubles. But don’t let these numbers scare you - the costs will quickly pay off with invaluable benefits for your body.

Care and conditions for growing indoors

When the plant has already appeared in your home, it’s time to take care of its placement. Let's figure out how to please the subtropical southerner, what conditions she prefers, and what she needs for full development.

Location and lighting

There is no need to think here - the plant loves a lot of sun and warmth. Therefore, it would be most appropriate to place it in the brightest area of ​​your home. Small seedlings will grow comfortably on southern window sills, but for large ones you will have to find a corner with the most light sun rays. Moreover, it is desirable that they illuminate the plant from morning to evening. As an option, you can consider balconies and loggias. If we are talking about private homes, you can take the olive to the terrace or garden.

Did you know? Olive trees can live for half a millennium. Today, some specimens have been found in the world that are more than 600 years old. Moreover, they still produce a small harvest.

Temperature: summer-winter

Gardeners talk about the plant’s rapid adaptation to indoor growing. It is noted that in terms of productivity, such specimens are not inferior to trees from the natural environment. But to maintain these indicators, it is important for olives to provide the necessary temperature conditions. It is typical that in spring, summer and early autumn they grow comfortably at room temperature , and in winter it needs to be lowered to 10–12°С.
This is done for maximum budding of the exotic. Therefore, already in November it needs to be sent to an insulated balcony or veranda. If suitable premises no, you can leave the flowerpot in the same place, but be prepared that this factor will be reflected in the number of fruits.

Watering

Naturally, heat-loving olives require enough moisture. Therefore, they are needed as the top layer of soil in the pot dries. Do not let it dry out, and make sure that the water reaches the bottom of the planting container.

Experts advise moisturizing the roots of the plant 2–3 times a week. And in the hot season you will need to irrigate the crown. Pay attention to the condition of the olive. Withered, lifeless foliage indicates insufficient moisture. But do not overdo it, because excess moisture has a bad effect on the development of olives.

Rarely in winter, taking into account the condition of the soil in the pot.

Important! If the olive overwinters in a room near a battery central heating, be sure to spray its crown with water.

Air humidity

When analyzing the climatic conditions of the European olive growing area, the need for regular irrigation becomes obvious. Experts advise doing this in the evening or in the morning so that ultra-violet rays did not burn the foliage. In summer, the procedure can be repeated daily. You can also alternate it with watering the soil in the pot or do it at the same time. In other seasons there is no need to humidify the air.

Feeding

During the period of peak plant development, two feedings will be needed over the course of a month. In the spring, when biomass is actively developing, it is recommended to add nitrogen-containing substances. These components contribute to the early formation of buds. And after a week you can already deposit it. Some gardeners advise feeding the olive tree throughout the spring and summer.

Trimming

The plant tolerates it well, so many owners strive to turn their exotic into a beautiful green ball. In this case, you need to work with it when the culture wakes up after winter “hibernation”. During the formation of the crown, pay attention to branches competing with each other and, if possible, remove the weakest one. For a good harvest, it is important that all shoots receive equal amounts of light.

Important! If there is no shoot growth on the olive, then the tree does not have enough moisture. And bare branches indicate poor lighting.

The height of indoor plants is limited to 80 cm; during the cutting process, they try to remove old, unproductive branches, since maximum amount fruit appears on the growth of the previous year.

Is a transplant necessary?

If you think about how long an olive tree lives and bears fruit, the question arises about the appropriateness of replanting it. Indeed, as the root system develops, the store container becomes cramped. Therefore, when you notice that the size of the plant and the flowerpot do not match, you will need a new pot. Experienced gardeners It is recommended to replant olives every 2 years. Otherwise, their roots will be constrained, which will affect the crops.

The transplantation process is best carried out by rolling over an earthen clod. Flower pot must be large, several centimeters in diameter, and must be made of clay. This material allows the roots to breathe.

Any soil is suitable for olive trees. The main thing is that he is not. Liming improves productivity. Most often advised traditional soil mixture for many indoor and garden plants:

• deciduous and turf;
• river sand;
• humus or .

Did you know? The fruits of olive trees are 70 percent water and 30 percent- from fat.

All ingredients are mixed in equal parts and add a little mineral fertilizers. Expanded clay or crumbs must be placed at the bottom of the flower container broken bricks. As an alternative, you can use a universal purchase for.
Sick olive trees also need a transplant as a means of resuscitation. This applies to specimens that are oversaturated with moisture and whose roots have begun to rot. It is not difficult to understand the problem by external condition plants - it sheds its leaves and looks lifeless. In this case, in addition to eliminating the damaged root shoots, disinfecting them and replanting, you will also need to cut off the tops of the stems.

Propagation using cuttings

You can get a new olive seedling different ways, but cuttings are the most popular among gardeners. Harvesting planting material in summer, when the plant is in its prime. To do this, it is enough to cut off the upper part of 2–4-year-old sprouts at a level of 20 cm. The thickness of the cutting should be within 3–4 cm.

It is advisable to leave it in a growth stimulator (,) for several hours. Then it can be placed in water until the roots appear, or immediately half-deep into a damp sandy substrate. The main conditions for successful rooting blanks are traditional factors for many plants:

• good lighting without direct ultraviolet radiation;
• temperature - not lower than 20°C;
• high air humidity.

Olive Tree belongs to the Olive family. In the Mediterranean, in the south of Crimea, in the southern regions of Russia and in other areas with a mild climate, this plant is grown in open ground. In more severe conditions it can be grown in winter garden or in a spacious, bright room, including an apartment. Trees of table varieties, with proper care, will bear fruit regularly.

The olive tree is a long-living tree. It has been growing for more than 500 years. In the Garden of Gethsemane (Jerusalem) there are olive trees whose age, according to scientists, reaches 2000 years. Greece is considered the birthplace of the olive. According to ancient legend, the goddess Athena sent an olive branch to this fertile land, from which the first tree grew.

Olives are a real treasure for human body. They contain more than 100 useful substances. It seems that nature itself took care of the health, freshness and beauty of man, giving him these priceless fruits.

Olives are the simplest and effective prevention diseases of the heart, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract and malignant breast tumors. To achieve the desired effect, it is enough to eat only eight olives a day or season salads with olive oil.

Olive is the personification of deep internal cultural connections. At least that's what Thomas Friedman thinks. He expressed his thoughts on globalization and cultural identity in his acclaimed 1999 book Lexus and the Olive Tree.

Decorative olive tree

Usually, domestic olive is grown not for its fruits, but because of its decorative, very attractive appearance. Today there are many varieties of this wonderful crop that have characteristics. For growing at home, varieties that reach no more than 2 meters in height and are suitable for growing in a container are suitable.

The olive tree at home is a miniature one, evergreen with a spherical and compact crown. Young plants have light gray bark, older plants have dark bark. The leaves are dense, narrow, lanceolate, dark green in color. They stay on the branches for a long time and do not fall off even in winter. They are updated every 2 years.

The flowers are white, small, bisexual, with a goblet-shaped cup. The fruits are elongated oval single-seeded drupes, about three centimeters long, which have a pointed or blunt end and a fleshy pericarp. The color of the fruit can be green or dark purple, depending on the variety. Its average weight is 15 g.

Olive tree at home

Many people are concerned about the question of whether this plant will take root in our apartments? IN natural conditions The olive tree grows in semi-deserts, on rocky mountain slopes, and on saline and poor soils. Sometimes where no other plant can survive.

The olive tree appears silvery from afar because its dark green, narrow leaves are covered with a bluish coating on the underside. It is even sometimes mistaken for some kind of willow.

The olive's drought resistance is striking. In this, the date palm can probably be compared with it. Both of these trees like their crowns to be warm and their roots to be cool. In search of moisture, they direct their roots very deep, reaching groundwater, sometimes located at a depth of 5-7 meters.

Olive tree: care

At home it is unpretentious plant does not require complex care. It requires a well-lit “place of residence” and abundant watering during the period of active growth (March-August). In autumn, watering olive trees is reduced, and in winter, when the plant seems to freeze, the soil in the pots is moistened no more than twice a week.

Reproduction

The domestic olive tree, which is easy to care for even for a novice gardener, is propagated by seeds, graftings and cuttings. To grow a tree solely for decorative purposes, the plant is propagated by seeds.

Preparing the seeds

This method is quite lengthy, but it allows you to see the entire development cycle of the tree and guarantees its high survival rate. Before planting, they are soaked for 12 hours in a caustic soda solution. Then they are rinsed with water and planted in a pot with a diameter of no more than nine centimeters to a depth of two centimeters. The soil should be moist and nutritious. In addition, you should pay attention to the fact that the soil is loose and light. This mixture consists of leaf and turf land, sand, peat in equal volumes. Large, oblong-shaped olive seeds are planted in small (5 cm in diameter) pots no deeper than 1 centimeter.

You will see the first shoots in 2 months. At this time, you should carefully monitor the soil moisture. It is recommended to water the crops as the clod of earth dries out and try not to allow it to become waterlogged or dry out. Seed germination, as a rule, is 40-50%. Often the seeds do not germinate or produce non-viable, weak sprouts that die after a short time. If we grow an olive tree from seeds, the first fruits should be expected no earlier than ten years later. If you want to speed up the timing of fruiting or flowering, grown seedlings must be grafted onto varietal plants.

Surprisingly, you can grow an olive tree at home even from a seed. True, to get a good result it is necessary to carry out a long preparation process.

Propagation by cuttings

In this case, the olive tree retains all its maternal characteristics. The first fruits appear in the third, in rare cases in the second year. It is necessary to take two or three summer branches. Their sections are carefully treated with a growth stimulant, then planted in sand ten centimeters deep, and the seedlings are covered with glass on top (polyethylene can also be used for this purpose).

For rooting optimal temperature- 25-27 °C. This usually occurs within a month, after which shoots begin to appear. After 3-4 months it will be fully formed root system, and the seedling can be transplanted to its permanent place in a large pot.

Lighting

The olive tree, which is easy to care for at home, loves good lighting, so the window sills of southern windows are suitable for young plants. Mature trees can be placed in any well-lit place in the room.

In the warm season, it is useful to take the plant out into the air - into the garden or onto the balcony. An abundance of light is especially necessary during the period of plant growth and bud formation. If there is not enough of it, the olive will slow down its growth. IN winter time the tree needs additional lighting to prevent leaves from falling.

The air should be heated to 18-22 °C - this is the most comfortable for this crop. During the dormant period (winter), the temperature should not exceed 13 °C. Such conditions will promote the formation of flower buds. Watering during this period is reduced, and fertilizing the soil is not recommended.

Blooming olive: care

During the flowering period, the plant needs more careful care. At this time, it is very important to monitor the condition of the soil. Watering is carried out as needed (when the top layer of soil dries out). If there is not enough moisture, the plant's leaves become dull, curl, and then fall off. This may even lead to the death of the tree.

Slightly yellowish or completely white flowers with a delicate and refined aroma bloom in mid-June. At home, the tree is decorated with delicate flowers for several months. The plant is pollinated by wind and insects, but daily shaking of the branches is necessary for home olives. When self-pollinating, fruits may set different sizes, and cross-pollination significantly improves their quality and productivity

Despite the fact that the olive tree tolerates dry air well, we recommend spraying its crown in extreme heat. Until the age of four, the plant needs annual replanting. This is usually done in early spring, and it is not necessary to change the entire contents of the pot, it is enough to replace only upper layer soil to be more fertile and fresh.

Trimming

Regular pruning will help you give the olive crown a spherical, neat shape. Carrying out this procedure, remove dry and weak branches, shorten long shoots, create the desired shape. If you decide to grow an olive tree for its fruit, remember that the bulk of the harvest comes from last year's growth. Therefore, pruning must be done very carefully so that next year you could enjoy the harvest.

Despite the somewhat labor-intensive growing process, the olive tree is unpretentious and not prone to diseases. With regular and proper care two years after planting, you will be able to admire the blooming olive tree and receive good harvest(up to 2 kg of fruits per year).

Feeding

During active growth and development of the olive tree (February-October), fertilizing should be carried out regularly (once every fifteen days) with solutions and infusions of organic and mineral fertilizers. For better fruit set and development in the summer, it is useful to add double superphosphate. For this, an aqueous solution of the substance is used at the rate of five grams per liter of water. In addition, it can be mullein - a two-week infusion, diluted 15-20 times before use.

From November to February, all metabolic processes slow down sharply in an olive tree kept indoors, and it goes into a dormant state. In winter, fertilizing is not carried out.

If you set out to grow a home olive tree, you must remember that insufficient light, excessive watering and very heat air in winter will not allow you to “tame” such a tree in your home. If you cope with these obstacles, then you need to be patient, because in comparison with most plants that experienced gardeners know, the olive develops very slowly, and it does not bloom too quickly. But lovers of indoor plants are attracted by the fact that you can grow it all your life - this small tree lives, according to scientists, for at least three thousand years.

) are very unpretentious, it is not for nothing that they are considered a symbol of prosperity, they are able to grow and bear fruit where many other plants do not survive. During flowering, olives spread very pleasant aroma, delicious and useful fruits. The leaves of this tree have healing properties.

At home, this is a very stable tree; it tolerates many irregularities in care, but it will perform well only if certain rules are followed. Olive can be recommended for office landscaping, but you should not count on flowering and fruiting in such conditions.

Illumination. For good growth, bright sunlight is necessary; in summer, it is preferable to take the olive tree out into the garden or balcony in full sun. Although the olive tree can tolerate shady conditions, its growth will be stunted and flowering will not occur. The olive tree is a classic tub plant; from spring to late autumn it is kept on outdoors in the garden, and winters in a cool greenhouse.

Temperature. Olive tree tolerates well summer heat, and in winter it needs to be kept cool at a temperature of +5...+10 o C. At home, it is optimal to keep the olive on the balcony all year round, where there is a lot of air in the summer and cool in the winter, but the temperature should not fall below +5 o C.

Watering. Mature olives are naturally drought-resistant; their trunks are capable of absorbing moisture. At home, olive trees can also tolerate short periods of dryness, but this should not be abused, especially in young specimens; they should be watered regularly. The soil of an adult plant should dry almost completely between waterings, then it is necessary to water it abundantly, but be sure to remove excess moisture from the tray. Excessive moisture causes the leaves to appear brown spots, leaf fall may occur. In winter, when the tree rests in cool conditions, watering is kept to a minimum.

Air humidity. When growing a tub plant, there is no need to artificially increase air humidity; in the open air in summer, and in winter in a cool greenhouse, the humidity is sufficient. If the olive conducts all year round on the balcony, then it does not need spraying, except in extreme heat. If the tree grows at home with the batteries on, then spray the crown several times a day.

Soils and replanting. Olive is undemanding to soil composition, but prefers fertile and always well-drained mixtures. You can add a little turf soil and perlite (or coarse sand) to the finished peat substrate, which will ensure easy passage of water through the soil. Replanting is carried out only by careful handling, young plants usually every year, increasing the volume of the pot by one size (1-2 cm in diameter), and older plants once every few years, as the roots master the previous volume.

Feeding applied from the moment of resumption of growth in spring until autumn, starting and ending with half doses. In winter, all fertilizing is canceled. As fertilizers, it is better to use ready-made universal mineral complex mixtures with microelements.

Flowering and fruiting. For laying flower buds in winter, the plant should be kept at a temperature no higher than +10 o C for at least 2 months. Bright sunlight is also necessary, especially with the resumption of growth in the spring. There is a chance that pollination with its own pollen will occur, but it is better to have two different specimens for cross-pollination. It is necessary to carry out artificial pollination, transferring pollen from one flower to another.

Trimming and shaping. Olive can be grown as a lush low bush or standard tree.

If flowering is not important, then you can prune at any time, shortening shoots that are too long. If you expect flowering, do not prune in the spring.

Reproduction It is preferable to do it using the vegetative method - rooting cuttings or layering. Olive can be easily propagated from both young and old shoots using standard methods.

Propagation by seeds is difficult. Since the fruit has a very dense shell, germination is low and germination occurs unevenly. Treating the seeds with concentrated sulfuric acid for 24 hours facilitates germination.

Diseases and pests. Olive has excellent health and is not prone to disease. Only excessive soil moisture can lead to root rotting. Pests also do not attack the olive tree much, but damage from scale insects or mealybugs is possible.

Olives are now grown all over the world for both trade and personal consumption. Although the olive tree can live for over 1,000 years, it, like most other plants, requires certain conditions to grow. If you want to grow a small sprout into a mature olive tree and skillfully use the various techniques that farmers use to obtain delicious fruit and oil, read this article.

Steps

How to create the right conditions

Determine if your climate is suitable for growing olives. Olive trees are best suited to climates with mild winter and long dry summers. For example, olives grow well in the Mediterranean region of Europe and in the coastal valleys of California. At the same time, it is very difficult (if not impossible) to grow olives in tropical climates.

• If not properly taken care of, frost can destroy many olive trees. Temperatures of −5 ºС are harmful for small branches, and at −10 ºС large branches and even entire trees die. Even if the branches and trees survive the cold, the flavor of the olives and the resulting oil may deteriorate. Do not attempt to grow olives if your region is prone to these types of frosts.
• However, olive trees require a little cold. For proper development of flowers, a cooling of approximately 7 ºС is necessary, although this temperature is slightly different for different varieties olives This is why olives are so difficult to grow in the tropics and other hot climates.
• The flowering season should be fairly dry and moderate. Olives bloom from April to June, and this period should be fairly dry and not too hot. Olives are wind-pollinated plants, so wet conditions may interfere with fruit set.

1. Check the soil pH level and adjust it if necessary. The soil should be moderately acidic or moderately alkaline, so that the pH level lies between 5 and 8.5. Many people believe that the ideal pH level is 6.5. Test your soil's acidity using a test kit, available at your local garden supply store. If the pH level is below 5 or above 8.5, change it.

   Look for areas with good drainage soil. Check how water affects the soil in the area where you plan to grow olive trees. Olive trees need soil with good outlet water. Inspect the soil after rain. Do not plant olives in a place where puddles form after rain. You can also dig a hole in the ground about 50 centimeters deep and pour water into it. If the water sits in the hole for a long time and does not absorb into the soil, look for another place.

   Give preference to areas where olive trees used to grow. This is the best evidence that a particular area is suitable for growing olive trees. If you know that a place used to have olives, plant trees there. You can also plant them near already growing olive trees.

   • If you know other gardeners or farmers in your area, ask them - they may know where olive trees used to be grown.

2. Find a place that gets direct sunlight. An area not shaded by other trees is best. It must be illuminated directly sunlight at least 6 hours a day. Olive trees are not suitable for shady areas.

How to plant olive trees

Plant olive trees in the spring. The main danger for olive trees is frost. As a general rule, they should be planted in the spring after the weather has warmed up and the danger of overnight frost has passed. Olive trees are most often planted in April or May, although this depends on the specific region.

• The more time trees have to grow before winter sets in, the better. Try to plant trees as soon as possible after the danger of frost has passed.

1. Start with potted trees. Potted olive trees can be purchased at your local plant nursery or ordered online. Olives have rather delicate seeds that do not germinate well. You will need trees 1.2-1.5 meters tall with branches about 1 meter high.

   Dig a hole approximately the same size as the pot. Measure the diameter and height of the pot the tree is in. Dig a hole of approximately the same depth and diameter. There is no need to observe the dimensions with great precision - the hole should be approximately the same size as the pot so that the roots of the plant fit well in it.

   Remove the tree from the pot and inspect the roots. Remove the olive tree and roots from the pot. Trim or untangle the tangled roots, but do not disturb them near the root ball or you may damage the plant.

   Fill the hole. Use the soil you removed from the hole to fill it. Cover the ball of roots with a layer of soil 2–3 centimeters thick. There is no need to add fertilizer or compost to the soil at this stage. First, the tree must be properly settled in natural soil.

   Install a drip irrigation device near the tree trunk. Drip irrigation will provide the olive tree with sufficient quantity water. For the first year, it is necessary to install a drip irrigation device in close proximity to the trunk of each olive tree. Next year, these devices should be moved away from the trunks at a distance of 60 centimeters. In addition, you will need to add a second device (also at a distance of 60 centimeters from the tree trunk).

   Water the trees and mulch the soil with straw. Water your olive trees using drip irrigation devices.

   • Instead of coarse straw, you can use other material for mulching. For example, nitrogen and other important for trees nutrients rich mulch of alfalfa, soybeans or pea hay.

How to care for trees before they mature

1. Water and irrigate olive trees sparingly and as needed. With a drip irrigation system, trees should be watered every day in the summer. Water the olive trees for an hour. You can also use small sprinklers (spray guns), which should be installed at a distance of at least 60 centimeters from the tree trunk. Find sprinklers with a flow rate of 2.5 to 5 millimeters per hour and install them between the trunks of olive trees.

   • The frequency of watering depends on whether you intend to consume the fruits or make oil from them. If you are growing fruit, water the trees more often - about once a week or every 2-3 weeks. If you are going to make oil, water the trees less often to make it more concentrated and flavorful.

2. Trim trees regularly. Don't prune young trees too often. For the first four years, simply remove side branches that grow below 1 meter. As the trees mature, they will take on the proper shape and weak and unwanted branches can be trimmed. However, try to trim trees as little as possible. early stages, as this may slow down their growth.

   Control pests and other diseases. Like most other plants, olive trees are sometimes attacked by pests, especially the oleaginous scale insect ( Saissetia oleae). If you are growing olives, you need to find a balance between natural methods and effective protection plants from pests and diseases. Sometimes you have to treat trees with insecticides. It is best to consult with professionals about this.

3. Use fertilizers in moderation. Olive trees usually only need suitable soil and normal watering. However, you can stimulate their growth by adding a little fertilizer. Choose a fairly mild fertilizer and sprinkle it lightly on the soil during the growing season. The packaging should indicate the appropriate dosage and when and how the fertilizer should be applied (usually applied on top of the soil). If you are in doubt about the exact dosage, choose a smaller amount.

   Decide when to harvest. Green olives appear first and turn black as they ripen. When picked, green olives will have a sharp and grassy flavor, while ripe olives have a milder, butterier flavor. Often the oil is made from a mixture of green and ripe olives, which are picked just when they change color. Determine which type of oil is right for you and wait for the olives to become desired color before collecting them.

   • Remember that olives are not eaten raw, straight from the tree. As a rule, before consumption they must be treated with brine, that is, kept in salt water.

• The olive tree can be grown indoors in a fairly large pot.
• Olive trees can grow up to 15 meters high and their canopy can extend up to approximately 9 meters wide.
• An olive tree can be planted on a slope or terrace, but in this case it will be more difficult to care for and harvest.
• To prevent fruits from appearing in undesirable places, prune appropriate flowering branches in early summer.

Warnings

• Use clean tools when pruning olive trees during the rainy season, otherwise they may develop growths due to bacterial contamination.
• Olive trees grown in California may be affected by fungal disease"verticillium wilt". Remove diseased trees and branches and do not plant trees in infected areas.
• In the Mediterranean region, olive trees can be attacked by pests such as the Mediterranean fruit fly and the olive fly.
• If you are going to make olive oil, try not to spray the trees with chemicals, as they can give the oil an unpleasant odor.
• Ripe olives become soft, so pick them with care.