The olive tree is a magnificent ornamental plant with southern connotations that can be grown in a pot on a terrace or balcony.
Advantages of growing in a pot
The olive tree is a slow-growing plant that adapts well to pot cultivation, but unlike plants planted in the ground, it will need some care.
Growing in a pot has many advantages:
- accessibility of the culture of this tree to all those who have only a balcony or a terrace;
- possibility to grow an olive tree in cold regions, because in winter it can be brought under cover;
- Possibility to take it with you when you move.
How to plant an olive tree in a pot ?
Prefer to do this operation in spring when there is no risk of frost.
Choose a young, healthy tree with no spots or pests.
Soak the root ball in a large bucket of water for one hour before planting.
Remove the branches at the level of the root ball and the low lateral branches along the trunk.
Choose a tray or pot of a size equivalent to 3 times the size of the purchase pot in all directions. Drain the bottom with clay balls over 5 cm.
If you have a garden, spread a layer of soil from the garden on top. If it is very heavy, add medium-grained sand. A commercial potting soil containing a little clay will also do the trick and will retain water during the hot summer months, thus limiting your watering interventions.
Place the rootball on this substrate so that the collar is flush with the top of the container.
Fill in the gaps with soil, taking care that the plant is straight in its pot.
Pack the soil on the surface.
Water and add soil if necessary.
Specific care for the olive tree grown in a pot
A potted tree is subject to the elements without being able to draw water and the elements necessary for its survival from the earth, so it is dependent on you. Always place your olive tree in a sheltered and sunny place. Be sure to water it very regularly, i.e. once a week in spring and twice or three times a week in summer when heat, wind and drought are prevalent. In winter, reduce watering to a strict minimum and never let water stagnate in the cup to avoid the appearance of diseases.
Winterized plants, especially in heated premises, will need more frequent watering; however, a watering every two weeks should be sufficient.
During the growing season, remember to add a little organic fertilizer every ten days after a copious watering.
Repotting is done every three years in the spring on young trees, then a resurfacing will be necessary every year on the larger and more difficult to handle trees.
It is not necessary to prune a potted olive tree, but you may want to thin out the center of the tree to let in light and ensure good ventilation. Forget the "ball" pruning which favors the appearance of parasites due to lack of ventilation.
