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Olive looking sick

RP32RP32 Posts: 47
in Plants
One of my olive trees (first pic) is looking very sick, most branches are bare but one or two have lush green growth on them. It's been potted here for around 4 years, the pot is raised up on feet. I have another olive bought at the same time in an identical pot the other side of the door that looks incredibly healthy (second pic) , no similar symptoms, although it did look the stronger of the two last summer. Advice on how best to save it would be greatly appreciated, thanks RP




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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited March 2019
    Where are you and where did you buy them?  What compost did you use?
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • RP32RP32 Posts: 47
    South Wales, bought them at Asda around 4 years ago I think. Probably verve compost from B&Q but difficult to remember now
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    If they're in the same compost they may just be starving and also too wet at the roots.  Composts only have food for 80 to 90 days and multi purpose composts can be claggy.

    Try re-potting with some John Innes no 3 type compost which is loam based and will provide the drainage they like.  Adding some extra grit will help.   You'll need to add a dressing of slow release fertiliser every spring and maybe some liquid seaweed feed once a month between April and June.

    Make sure they are protected from the cold.  They are frost hardy but don't like it too cold.

    Have a look here for more info - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=138 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • RP32RP32 Posts: 47
    Thanks, do you think it will regrow from the bare branches or do I need to cut it back?


  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I'd re-pot and wait and see then, if it regrows, just cut out any stems that don't produce leaves by mid summer.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • RP32RP32 Posts: 47
    OK will do, thank you


  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Hope it works.  Let us know.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    It's difficult to know why one is doing better than the other.  Is the poorer one in a slightly more exposed position? Or maybe the better one has been getting a bit of extra heat from that vent on the wall?
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • ElizaRoseElizaRose Posts: 121
    I have an olive tree that was sickly and the garden centre lady said to get Vitax Q4. It was the soluble kind in a green box. It worked a treat.
  • RP32RP32 Posts: 47
    Hi JennyJ, yes it is in a more exposed position on the corner of the house and yes I guess the other one has the benefit of some heat from the vent, never really thought about that.

    ElizaRose was yours similar to mine and was it this box?


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