Proper planting of the olive in the pot
Basically, olives are very easy to care for plants. However, in order for such a tree to feel comfortable with you, you should follow a few rules:
- Olives do not tolerate frost
- Olives need a lot of sun - the more, the better
- Olives do not tolerate waterlogging
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- How to overwinter your olive tree without damage
- Growing your own olive tree is not difficult
Too much moisture, especially waterlogging - this occurs when the irrigation water cannot escape from the pot - causes the roots to rot and consequently the tree dies. Because of this, you should pay attention to adequate drainage. For this purpose, lay a few pebbles under the potting soil, and the pot should also have a drainage hole.
Which soil is best for olives?
Olives love a sandy, not too nutrient-rich substrate, which should also be loose and permeable. Loamy soil is rather suboptimal because the roots in it cannot develop properly and can be crushed. It is better if you instead mix at least a third of coarse sand or gravel and two thirds of conventional potting soil. Special citrus soil is also well received, as the needs of citrus and olive trees are quite similar.
The right location on the balcony or terrace
A fully sunny, protected location is perfect for small and large olive trees. As a rule, olives also do well in partial shade. If possible, place the pot against a wall or in a corner, where it is warmer and more sheltered from the wind than in a more free location. Olives do not like moisture, but as container plants they need a certain amount of moisture. Therefore, you should water your sapling sparingly but regularly. At best, fertilization is done in spring, at the beginning of the growing season, with liquid potted plant fertilizer. The cut should also be done in spring.
Hibernate olive trees
In principle, you can leave your olive tree outside in winter, but you should make sure to wrap it up warm. The roots in particular must be protected from frost, for example with a thick layer of brushwood or bark mulch. Make absolutely sure that the earth does not freeze through! Alternatively, place the tree in a light but cool (approx. 10 ° C) place.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to put your tree back on the balcony in spring, get used to the sun slowly, for example by first putting it in partial shade for a few days. You should also avoid the midday sun at first. Otherwise, leaf burns and brown spots may appear on the leaves.
