Wild olive

[akhater]

During a family picnic today I found this wild olive (very small leaves variety), it was lying there out of the ground,

it was still green and, knowing how tough the olives are, I took it home back with me

I cut a big root and potted it in a free draining mix

 

[akhater]

I would really love to keep it so what should I and what should I not do to maximize its chances of survival ?

Notice the natural ramification

 

[tanlu]

Nice find! I would leave it alone for the next few years. Feed it lightly from late summer to fall, and next year feed it generously. Study the branch structure and use what it has to offer in your future design.

T

 

[JudyB]

They really like it hot and dry. So if you could give it some bottom heat, maybe a cheap heat mat, until it grows some good rootage, you'd give it more of a chance. It is a nice find, but I think you'd be better off with a shallower container. That may keep it too wet, as it seems pretty big for the base you collected. They are tough trees, but will die if you keep them too wet, especially cold and wet.

 

[akhater]

@tanlu I'm definitely not planning to do anything with it before at least next spring, but I was wondering if I can do anything to help it recover. Sun or shade for instance?

@Judy I am not really worried about the temps, it is now around 20 degrees C days and nights and I could easily provided it with more heat. For the container the bulb is pretty big I only added 2 inch of soil on the pot ground and then fixed the olive and filled the rest till the start of the trunk, I really don't think it will fit in anything shallower for now. You say they like it dry, with a free draining mix how often should I water or how to know when I should water?

thanks

 

[JudyB]

I put a skewer in the soil, and don't water till it comes out feeling pretty dry. Just check it daily...
Yes sun, they love sun... full sun.

 

[akhater]

thanks Judy,

Full sun after it shows signs of recovery of starting now ?