Olive Tree care indoors....losing it leaves- what am I doing wrong?
dizzylizzy
Posts: 91
I bought a lovely tall Olive tree from Morrisons early in the summer, I then moved the pot into the dining room which is north-facing in autumn, it receives plenty of light, no sun and is on the cool side all day, the CH is on in an evening to around 17C, I keep watering it but not too much. Is it too hot, too cold, not watered enough, should I move it to an cooler room or is it natural (autumnal phase) to lose it leaves now? Haven't feed since summer. Winters here are cold, frosty and damp so wouldn't survive outdoors. I have seen them in italian restuarants and always have a good head of hair! leaves I mean...........
When will the leaves re-grew, if at all- still looks healthy though. Stands 7-8ft in the pot. Flowed in summer so was very happy. Will have lost all leaves in 3 weeks is my guess....
Posts
dizzy, how strange because I noticed the same thing only yesterday about my olive tree which is in a cool outhouse. I shall be very interested to what replies you get.
Where are you based.....roughly? I am here in Cambridge, UK.
S.
Olives are fairly resilient. My 2 are in an unheated greenhouse with a layer of fleece wrapped around, I did this last winter as well.
Basically the CH is not doing them any favours. I looked to see where you are based to give further help but you have not recorded it.
Rosa, as I said my one is in an unheated outhouse so don't understand why its leaves are dropping. Should it be wrapped in fleece like yours?
S.
http://www.bigplantnursery.co.uk/GrowingGuideOlives.htm
This is a really useful link on their care
I think dizzylizzy's is being spoilt-mine has been in a pot outside for the past 5 years- and has survived all winters
I would stop all watering -it is a mediterranean plant after all-move it to the coolest place in the house-with luck it will be OK
At 7 foot it must have been an expensive purchase I guess- but has been having too much of the good life
Hi- I live on the outskirts of York in the country wher it is exposod and often has frost down to -17 c, The backgarden which is north-facing is still frosty from this morning. have lost hebes in 2010 with the cold weather so won't risk the Olive tree. Do have an echium pinnan which hasn't yet flowered and has a trunk now of 2 inches across. Overwintered in mum's conservatory last year but was only 7 inches high then- now 5 foot, Think I may have to do something- planted near the house and porch south-facing- seems to be in new growth now. Did recover from the December frosts but may be pushing it to leave it unprotected as more frost is predicted.. Can't lose it yet as I haven't seen it flower yet and believe it is a biennial once it has flowered?? Is about 5 feet high and the top seems to have sproutted growth over the last few weeks. One of my cherry trees is flowering and a red penstemon is still in flower from last year............
They were selling like hot cakes in Morissons- as soon as they had a delivery they were sold out- only £30- that size is usually around £50-£60 I believe.
May be too large to bring indoors next year- but suppose I can trim it- it is a lollipop shape, so don't know if it is grafted. Looks identical to the youngest one in the link someone has kindly added.
Keep posting but internet playing up.
Is it possible to put in your porch?
I don't water just check compost, which is JI3 + grit to make sure it is not 'bone' dry.
Make sure your not over watering it, olive trees like to be on the dry side, if you think it needs watering leave it another week (and dont soak it). Remember, Olives are mediteranean plants, they like plenty of sunlight. They ususaly drop some/most of their leaves this time of year. You should start seeng new growth around March time. I agree that the central heating may not be doing it any good though.
~Carol - My tree is nearly bald and if I happen to brush by it more leaves fall. They all seem to be dried out too but this could be the CH as mentioned above. I haven't watered it much at all just put a little in when it seemed too dry. I've put it out in the porch now so the temperature will be cooler and will stay at an even termperature so hopefully it recover soon. Some very helpful tips above.