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Should a potted olive be protected from heavy rain?

DahliaDivaDahliaDiva Posts: 12
in Plants

6 months ago, I potted an Arbequina olive tree, which is now 6ft tall and in a 22-inch (55.88cm) pot that's too heavy to move. It has 1/3 pumice pebbles and 2/3 peat-free potting soil, so it has good drainage & nutrients. I elevated the terracotta pot on feet so it can drain freely. The tree has been doing great.

Following Monty Don's advice, I've watered it only once a week. Now that the rainy season is beginning here in western Oregon, should I cover the pot somehow to prevent excess rain getting in? And if so, how, and with what?

I've read comments here that potted olives should be left alone in winter, and I'm good with that. I'm just a bit nervous about it getting waterlogged. I've read dozens of articles about how to protect it from freezing, and have been warned about not over-watering it, but no one discusses how to deal with excess rain water.

Many thanks for any advice


Western Oregon, USA. Our climate is a lot like Northern England, but with dry, hot summers.

Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I would be tempted to err on the side of caution and protect it from excess rain.  Can you create some sort of cone around the trunk to the lip of the pot.  I am envisioning something like a gallon milk jug cut up the side and bottom removed, fitted around the trunk, and plastic wrap from that and all around the top of the pot at an angle?  Lots of layers of plastic and some clear packing tape.  Cut a circular hole in the side of the plastic so you can water and the soil can breathe.  A bit of rain falling in won’t do much harm, but this will help keep it from becoming waterlogged.  
    Utah, USA.
  • DahliaDivaDahliaDiva Posts: 12

    Thank you for the response @Blue Onion. I've been contemplating how to create a barrier of some kind. I just found this article How to Protect Potted Plants from Heavy Rain? Complete Analysis! and wonder if it sounds right? It says, “... burlap will act as a rain barrier while allowing your potted plants to breathe. You will need a big roll of burlap cloth, zip ties, and three wooden spikes or stakes for each potted plant to use this approach. Place the wooden pegs into the dirt gently, giving enough space between each one.” 

    It suggests, “Burlap is a sturdy textile that resists dampness. In other words, the burlap cloth will not absorb wet or rain.” But isn't burlap porous? Multiple articles say it must be waterproofed for outdoor use. 

    Perhaps I should just deconstruct an umbrella and fit it around the tree trunk? But this is in my front yard, so I'd hate for it to be an embarrassing eyesore.


    Western Oregon, USA. Our climate is a lot like Northern England, but with dry, hot summers.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I suppose you only want to reduce the water coming in, not eliminating it.  What about four canes around the inside rim of the pot, and a clear shower curtain or such attached to form a cylinder straight up to the lowest branches?  Shower curtain must drape outside of the pot, so the water runs off.  The top is open to rain, but only what falls directly down.  Less if you flex the canes inward towards the top.  

    Burlap is used for wrapping the entire tree, particularly certain types of pines/evergreens who might have branches broken by the snow weight.  Do a search for “burlap on tree winter” for visuals.  

    What about a plastic garbage can lid wider than your pot from a big box store, with a hole larger than your trunk cut in the middle with the circle cut in half?  Slide both halves to overlap and secure so the wind doesn’t catch it (some sort of strapping down to tent pegs in the soil?).  The dome shape will shed water, but you can remove to check the plant soil.  Protect the trunk with something, so the plastic doesn’t damage it.  
    Utah, USA.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I live in the UK and have bought a squirrel baffle to fit onto my bird feeding station. It costs about £15.00 and works beautifully at keeping rats at bay. It is like a metal, upside-down ice cream cornet. Very easy to fit. Durable. Mine is over 7 years old. You could fit it at any height up the trunk of your tree, it would not stop all rainfall but would deflect most of it. 
    Just thinking outside the box, also it would look quite neat and tidy.

    DahliaDiva said Thank you for the response @Blue Onion. I've been contemplating how to create a barrier of some kind. I just found this article How to Protect Potted Plants from Heavy Rain? Complete Analysis! and wonder if it sounds right? It says, “... burlap will act as a rain barrier while allowing your potted plants to breathe. You will need a big roll of burlap cloth, zip ties, and three wooden spikes or stakes for each potted plant to use this approach. Place the wooden pegs into the dirt gently, giving enough space between each one.” 

    It suggests, “Burlap is a sturdy textile that resists dampness. In other words, the burlap cloth will not absorb wet or rain.” But isn't burlap porous? Multiple articles say it must be waterproofed for outdoor use. 

    Perhaps I should just deconstruct an umbrella and fit it around the tree trunk? But this is in my front yard, so I'd hate for it to be an embarrassing eyesore.



  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Olive trees in pots, or in the ground, become stressed if they become too dry at the roots.  Nor do they respond well to being water-logged.

    I suspect the simplest solution is to invest in a few bricks and get some help to tilt the pot and slide them under so that excess water can always drain, throughout the year.  That way you won't need ugly or fragile contraptions that may well be damaged in strong winds. 
    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
  • DahliaDivaDahliaDiva Posts: 12
    Blue Onion said:
    What about a plastic garbage can lid wider than your pot from a big box store, with a hole larger than your trunk cut in the middle with the circle cut in half?  Slide both halves to overlap and secure so the wind doesn’t catch it (some sort of strapping down to tent pegs in the soil?).  The dome shape will shed water, but you can remove to check the plant soil.  Protect the trunk with something, so the plastic doesn’t damage it.  
    Wow @Blue Onion, That idea sounds easy and affordable enough to try! I could slice open one side, carve out (and pad) a hole for the trunk, and place it around the trunk like one of those cones our dogs get at the vet. It's a better idea than my deconstructed umbrella concept.

    Hi @Obelixx, The pot is already elevated onto feet, along with having free-draining potting soil, so I've done all I can there. You make a very good point about strong winds catching contraptions. This tree is a bit exposed, so I need to be mindful of that.

    Western Oregon, USA. Our climate is a lot like Northern England, but with dry, hot summers.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    If it's already up on feet, I woldn't worry.  Excess water will drain out of the bottom.  Just make sure that next spring you replace the nutrients that will leach out with a slow release feed such as blood, fish and bone, that will nourish roots, foliage and general health.

    As they are evergreen, you may want to consider giving it some shelter from strong winds so it doesn't get stripped.
    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
  • DahliaDivaDahliaDiva Posts: 12
    Joyce Goldenlily said:
    I live in the UK and have bought a squirrel baffle to fit onto my bird feeding station. It costs about £15.00 and works beautifully at keeping rats at bay. It is like a metal, upside-down ice cream cornet. Very easy to fit. Durable. Mine is over 7 years old. You could fit it at any height up the trunk of your tree, it would not stop all rainfall but would deflect most of it. 
    Just thinking outside the box, also it would look quite neat and tidy.
    Hi Joyce, I'm going to look into the squirrel baffle. Squirrels are the bane of my existence! (If you don't count deer, who eat my roses, which are at buffet height.) Thanks for the idea!  <3
    Western Oregon, USA. Our climate is a lot like Northern England, but with dry, hot summers.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I put a baffle on my bird feeder after watching a rat climb the post of the feeding station, climb over the edge to sit and stuff itself before going back over the edge, hanging upside down by its back feet, to drop to the ground. It must have had young it was feeding because it was back a few minutes later to repeat the exercise. The baffle worked beautifully, it was quite funny watching the rat trying to find a way over/around/under the baffle. It finally gave up so no more thieving of bird food.
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