Olive Tree Care
My four standard olive trees were repotted a month ago and are now producing healthy new growth and lots of flower buds. Here are my 10 top tips for growing and caring for olive trees, particularly when growing them in pots.
I have placed Amazon links to the Olive Tree Care products I use. I am an Amazon Associate and may receive commission on qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price to you. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
Olive Tree Care – 10 Top Tips
1. Repot for vigour
Olive trees growing in pots eventually outgrow their containers and the compost becomes exhausted. Repot every couple of years to give the roots fresh compost and room to grow.
2. Give them good drainage
Olives dislike having wet roots.
Use crocks and gravel in the bottom of the pot, and consider adding
horticultural grit to the compost to improve drainage.
3. Feed regularly
Potted olive trees need regular feeding. Feed during the growing and fruiting season — I use a tomato feed approximately every fortnight.
4. Water deeply, but don't keep them soggy
Olives need plenty of water, particularly when producing fruit, but they don't want constantly wet roots. Give them a good drench, then allow the compost to dry out somewhat before watering again. Leaving a gap at the top of the pot makes it easier to give the tree a thorough soaking.
5. Prune with fruiting in mind
Olives produce flowers and fruit on one-year-old growth, so pruning needs to leave some suitable young growth in place. Good pruning can also help keep the tree compact and allow more light into the plant.
6. Let light into the tree
Olives produce new growth and flower buds where there is plenty of light.
Keeping the centre of the tree relatively open allows light to penetrate the
canopy and encourages productive growth.
7. Give them a cold winter
To encourage flowering and fruiting, olive trees benefit from a couple of cold months during winter, with temperatures below around 10°C. They can be surprisingly hardy and mine stay outside throughout the year.
8. Help with pollination
Most olives are self-fertile and are pollinated by wind. Positioning them where they receive a little natural movement of air can help pollen circulate around the flowers.
9. Stop feeding towards the end of summer
Reduce and then stop feeding towards the end of the growing season. This allows new growth to harden off before winter rather than encouraging soft late-season growth.
10. Top-dress or mulch
A layer of mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds and feed the soil as it gradually breaks down. It's an easy way to improve the growing environment in your pots.
Watch the full video
See how my four olive trees responded after repotting and hear all 10 olive tree care tips in the full video.
Re-pot your olive every 2-3 years
