Growing the olive tree in a pot is the best way to install it on a small balcony or patio. As it can get quite large, having it in a container is a good idea if you’re short on space, and this way you can also take it with you when you move!

1 – WHEN TO PLAN AN OLIVE TREE?

Avoid planting an olive tree during periods of frost and extreme heat. Intervene, preferably, when the soil is sufficiently warmed and, for “cool” regions, sufficiently before winter so that new roots have time to form, that is to say between mid-March and mid-March. -June.

2 – HOW TO PLAN AN OLIVE TREE IN A POT?

Prefer to carry out this operation in spring when all risk of frost has passed.

Choose a young, healthy subject with no spots or parasites.

Soak the rootball in a large bucket of water one hour before planting.

Remove the beginnings of branches at the level of the root ball and the low lateral branches along the trunk.

Choose a bin 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 taken from it on top, if it is very heavy add sand of medium particle size. A commercial potting mix containing a little clay will also do the trick and will retain water during the summer heat, thus limiting your watering needs.

Place the root ball on this substrate so that the collar is flush with the upper part of the tray.

Fill the gaps with soil, taking care that the plant is upright in its pot.

Pack the soil on the surface. Water and add soil if necessary.

3 – CARE OF THE POTTED OLIVE TREE

Annual pruning is recommended in late winter or early spring.

The potted olive tree prefers gentle pruning to severe pruning.

• Remove branches that have grown at the base of the tree or along the trunk.
• Cut off branches that point toward the ground. We must favor the growth of horizontal branches which rise towards the sky
• Ventilate the heart of the tree by pruning the branches that grow inward and retaining the main branches that form the framework.

4 – POTTING THE OLIVE TREE

As for the soil, a mixture of potting soil, fine sand and loam will be suitable. You can add organic matter when you plant it or when you repot it (every 3 years, at the end of winter).

5 – AN ANNUAL OR BI-ANNUAL PRUNING OF THE OLIVE TREE

Pruning is carried out in spring, excluding periods of frost. If the tree is ornamental, cut the damaged branches, clear the trunk and remove the suckers. If the tree produces olives, space out pruning every two years, as the tree flowers and fruits on the previous year’s branches. In this case, thin out the crown by removing the branches that cross each other. This allows light to enter for better production.