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Olive Tree Guidance/Help

shipley92shipley92 Posts: 19
edited June 2021 in Problem solving


Hi everyone, I have just bought 2 olive tree’s (please see photo) and just wanting some advice on the following:

- Roughly how old is the olive tree? 
- Is the planter appropriate for this size?
- How do I increase the trunk girth? 

Any other advice/information would be greatly appreciated

Posts

  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    1. I’m guessing but I would say 8 - 10 years.
    2. Fine, though possibly a little big. I would be a bit concerned about the planting medium. I would go for a mix of 60% John Innes #3 and 40% grit. Your pot looks like it’s filled with multi purpose compost. The cane and ties are serving no function; I’d remove them.
    3. Patience. Maybe 30 years’ worth.

    You can buy fertiliser specially formulated for olive trees. Look on Amazon or eBay.
    Rutland, England
  • shipley92shipley92 Posts: 19
    BenCotto said:
    1. I’m guessing but I would say 8 - 10 years.
    2. Fine, though possibly a little big. I would be a bit concerned about the planting medium. I would go for a mix of 60% John Innes #3 and 40% grit. Your pot looks like it’s filled with multi purpose compost. The cane and ties are serving no function; I’d remove them.
    3. Patience. Maybe 30 years’ worth.

    You can buy fertiliser specially formulated for olive trees. Look on Amazon or eBay.
    Thanks Ben. Great help! With regards to fruiting? How long would I expect to see anything? 
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    This year, if it’s a hot, dry summer. I never bother but my tree, about the same size as yours, generates enough olives to make olive oil for one ear but not enough for both.
    Rutland, England
  • shipley92shipley92 Posts: 19
    Any recommendations on a particular olive tree fertiliser?
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    I use a fertiliser called Olive Focus, readily available on Amazon. I can’t really say if it’s any good because I have not crossed checked it against other fertilisers, and no fertiliser. But it looks like it works.

    Near to me is the Olive Grove nursery, Oundle. Their web site has lots of helpful growing tips.
    https://www.olivegroveoundle.co.uk/maintain-olive-tree/
    Rutland, England
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