How to Grow Olive Plant - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Olive is a plant that is native to the Mediterranean Basin. The olive tree is an evergreen tree or shrub that grows to a height of 15–20 metres (49–66 ft). The olive is the fruit of the olive tree. Olives are a major source of olive oil.

How to Grow Olive Plant - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

  • Common olive
  • European olive
  • Mediterranean olive
  • Olea europaea
  • Oil olive

Basic info

  • The olive is a tree that is native to the Mediterranean.
  • Olives have been cultivated for centuries and are a staple in the Mediterranean diet.
  • Olives are a good source of monounsaturated fat and antioxidants.
  • Olives can be eaten fresh, or they can be used to make olive oil.
  • Olive oil is a healthy alternative to other oils and is often used in cooking.
  • Olives can also be used to make soap, lotions, and cosmetics.
  • Olive trees are slow-growing and can live for hundreds of years.
  • Olive wood is a popular material for making furniture and other wood products.
  • The olive is also the national fruit of several countries, including Greece, Turkey, and Spain.
  • There are many different types of olives, and they come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes.

Related plant:
Sweet Olive Shrub

Growing Steps

  1. For olive , first step is to plow the field.
  2. After that, we need to harrow the field.
  3. Then, we need to disk the field.
  4. After that, we need to plow the field again.
  5. Then, we need to disk the field again.
  6. After that, we need to harrow the field again.
  7. Then, we need to disk the field again.
  8. After that, we need to plow the field again.
  9. Then, we need to disk the field again.
  10. Finally, we need to plant the olive trees.

Related plant:
Tea Olive Tree

Soil Condition

About soil condition, the best type of soil for olive trees is a deep, well-drained soil with a pH of 7.0 or higher. The ideal soil is a loamy sand that is high in organic matter. Olives will not tolerate wet or poorly drained soils and will not grow well in clay soils.

Light requirement

Similar to other fruit and nut trees, olive trees need full sun to produce the most fruit. However, they are much more tolerant of heat and drought than most other trees. This makes them a good choice for areas that are prone to drought or heat waves.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition in olive is moderately warm. The range of temperature is between 18 to 28 degrees Celsius. The daily temperature variation is about 4 to 6 degrees. The rainfall is about 30 to 40 inches annually. The humidity is about 60%.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40 to 60%. The plant does not tolerate very dry or very wet conditions. The leaves of the plant will start to drop if the humidity is too low. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to yellow.

Fertilizing

Regarding fertilizer, this kind of plant doesn't require too much. In fact, too much fertilizer can actually harm the plant. It's best to use a light fertilizer every couple of months or so. When it comes to the roots of an olive tree, they are very strong and can withstand a lot of different weather conditions.

Plant Pruning

Pruning your olive tree is important to maintain its health and vigor. You will need to prune it annually, in late winter or early spring. The best time to prune is just before the tree begins to put out new growth. Pruning helps to control the size and shape of the tree, and also encourages new growth.

The Propagation

Propagation is the process of growing a new plant from a cutting or seed of an existing plant. olive trees are propagated from cuttings taken from the tips of branches. The cuttings are placed in a rooting hormone and then planted in a well-drained, sandy soil. They should be kept moist and in a sunny location until they have rooted. Once they have rooted, they can be transplanted into their permanent location.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the cultivar, or olive variety. However, there are cultural practices that can impact the rate of olive growth. For example, pruning olives can encourage new growth and higher growth rates.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant plants are the pests and diseases. The most common pests are the olive fly, scale insects, and mites. The most common diseases are the olive wilt, root rot, and leaf spot.

Basics of Growing

  • Make sure to plant your olive tree in well-draining soil.
  • Give your olive tree plenty of room to grow.
  • Water your olive tree regularly, but do not over-water.
  • Fertilize your olive tree every few months.
  • Prune your olive tree regularly to encourage healthy growth.
  • Protect your olive tree from cold weather.
  • Keep an eye out for pests and diseases.
  • Harvest your olives when they are ripe.
  • Store your olives properly to maintain their quality.
  • Enjoy your delicious olives!

Substitution

  • Cat's-ear
  • Hypopitys monotropa
  • Coralroot
  • Corallorhiza maculata
  • Alpine Aconite
  • Aconitum lycoctonum
  • Common valerian
  • Valeriana officinalis
  • Wood avens
  • Geum urbanum

Source:
Olive Fruit Fly - ucanr.edu
The Olive School
olive oil report 041211 final - UC Davis Olive Center

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Trees Category