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Leaves suddenly dropping on olive tree!!!

LW23LW23 Posts: 20
in Plants
Hi 
my olive tree has started losing all its leaves over the last few days.
It’s been very healthy for the last 3/4 years and we have had lots of olives over the last few years.
this year we had a problem with wholly aphids, so I sprayed with soapy water as many websites suggested (as bug clear didn’t work)
Now all the leaves are dropping off.
ive checked moisture levels and it’s saying it’s wet. (But it has been rainy loads here last few days!)  

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Can you add a photo, as without it's difficult to tell the drop is as significant as to warrant three exclamation marks. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • LW23LW23 Posts: 20

  • LW23LW23 Posts: 20
    It definitely warrants it. It’s been so healthy and over night lost all the old leaves. I can run my fingers through it and they all drop off apart for the new growth.

    amancalledgeorge said:
    Can you add a photo, as without it's difficult to tell the drop is as significant as to warrant three exclamation marks. 

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Looks environmental to me...that pot looks really small for the size of the plant too. And those water meters do absolutely nothing...please use a finger, it's more accurate. The cane shouldn't be needed either, the stem should be strong enough to support itself, they're there for transit purposes usually. 
    Does it get enough sun and is that area maybe too windy? It looks like a sudden change has taken place and has shocked the plant. They usually recover as quickly, but worth thinking what has changed in the last couple of months that has caused the reaction and essentially to go into self preservation mode and drop all that foliage. 

    Sorry I left you with more questions than answers but you know the circumstances.
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • LW23LW23 Posts: 20
    amancalledgeorge said:
    Looks environmental to me...that pot looks really small for the size of the plant too. And those water meters do absolutely nothing...please use a finger, it's more accurate. The cane shouldn't be needed either, the stem should be strong enough to support itself, they're there for transit purposes usually. 
    Does it get enough sun and is that area maybe too windy? It looks like a sudden change has taken place and has shocked the plant. They usually recover as quickly, but worth thinking what has changed in the last couple of months that has caused the reaction and essentially to go into self preservation mode and drop all that foliage. 

    Sorry I left you with more questions than answers but you know the circumstances.
    It pretty much gets sun all day (when we have sun), I think that’s why it’s done well. To be honest, I left the canes in as extra strength, I live mid terrace so when it does get windy it’s strong along the road. Never been that bad though.
    I’m not to sure where to go from here but I’ll try watering it as the top 2 inches feel dry (ish).
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I agree with what has been said above.
    Do you feed it?

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • LW23LW23 Posts: 20
    Pete.8 said:
    I agree with what has been said above.
    Do you feed it?
    Yes feed it with a granular olive feed.
    requires 2 applications a growing season. Both have been applied as recommended.

  • Ryan180680Ryan180680 Posts: 202
    Our olive tree was the same. I purchased a liquid feed from amazon based off reviews and have been using it weekly since April. The results are amazing and out tree is thriving now
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Olive trees are tougher than you think. If you are watering as you say. Deeply so it drains out of the holes at the bottom at least once a week, your tree should be fine. Changeable weather can cause leaf drop, leaf tips to change colour or deformed. It's a good time to give the plant a trim, you will be surprised that most times, that will encourage and stimulate new growth quite quickly.
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