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Unhappy olive tree

thebaronsthebarons Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Any idea what is wrong with my olive tree please?? It’s been fine for 2 yrs - up until the last 6 months - but now all the ends of the leaves are turning brown. I water and feed it regularly. Does it need going into a bigger pot or is there something more serious going on? Many thanks!

Posts

  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    I'd have to agree with you Philippa, the container is too small for such a strong plant.  We have an Olive tree growing in a terracotta pot approx  22 inches wide by 30 inches tall.
  • thebaronsthebarons Posts: 5
    Thanks all.  The pot is 19”x19”x19” so will try A bigger pot and maybe move it. It does look like leaf scorch in figure J pansyface- not sure what would be causing it as it’s a fairly sheltered spot and wouldn’t get hot/dry/salty winds, (or heavy metal from municipal waste). It is in a very sunny spot. Maybe I just need to experiment- starting with re-potting it.


  • thebaronsthebarons Posts: 5
    Thanks for the advice- You were all right about the pot being too small - the roots had nowhere left to go and the drainage holes had got blocked, which can’t have helped. Now repotted with loads of room to grow - finger crossed 🤞 
  • Jess is in the GardenJess is in the Garden Posts: 1,022
    I agree that the pot is too small for that age of tree.
    I had similar markings on the leaves of my olives (also pot grown) and it was however a fungal infection, similar to what eucalyptus get apparently.
    I was advised to pick off every affected leaf and also to remove leaves that had fallen into the pot (to prevent spores reinfecting).
    It was amazing to watch as the tree then sprouted new, fresh leaves from every single spot where the diseased leaves had been picked..
    Takes time, but worth doing!
  • thebaronsthebarons Posts: 5
    Thanks Jess, I’ll give that a go as well.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    The only thing I would suggest if you are going to re-pot the olive, is to cause as little root disturbance as possible.  It won't be happy to be moved at this time of year, so watering is vital, and don't expect any olives this year whilst it is adjusting to it's new pot. Somehow this stayed in my draft folder.  However now I see that you have done just as I thought and with Jess's advice I think you could have solved the problem baron.
  • thebaronsthebarons Posts: 5
    Thanks Guernsey , much appreciated 😊 - I’ll let you know if it works.
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