How do you care for an olive tree NZ?
Olives prefer well drained, low to medium fertile soil. Olives grow best in sunny, sheltered sites. Water well during the early stages, during long dry periods and when the fruit is developing. Olive trees will grow well in most areas of New Zealand, as long as the right variety is selected for the climate conditions.
When should you prune olive trees in NZ?
Timing is important. Hard pruning an olive tree in late winter or early spring will encourage a flush of new growth which defeats the purpose of the prune. It’s better to give the hard prune when the tree has finished fruiting – at the end of autumn or in early winter.
What do you spray on olive trees?
To completely eliminate a crop, apply an olive tree growth regulator called naphthalene acetic acid, or NAA, at a solution of 150 parts per million in two sprays: Apply the first spray two to three days before full bloom and the second spray a week later.
When should olive trees be pruned?
Spring
You should be Pruning Olive Trees in late Spring or early Summer when the weather is milder but before flowering. As the olive tree is an evergreen plant, new growth will be produced from most of the pruning cuts. These fresh shoots will be susceptible to damage from cold weather.
How do you look after an olive tree?
Caring for olive trees Olive trees may be drought tolerant, but they need to be kept well-watered, as dry spells during early spring can affect flowering and fruiting. They also need feeding regularly with a liquid feed every two weeks during the growing season.
Do olives like sun or shade?
Olive trees generally need as much sunlight as possible. In other words, the more light they have, the longer your olive tree will remain healthy and in its best condition. Although, a little shade can be tolerated with a few precautions.
How do I make my olive tree bushy?
Olive trees are a slow growing variety and don’t require much attention when it comes to pruning. If you would like to do a bit of maintenance we would recommend pinching back some of the new growth. This will encourage the tree to send out new shoots and in turn, this will create a lovely bushy tree.
Can olive trees be cut back hard?
If you prune back your Olive tree ‘hard’ it will result in a dense growth or a light ‘formative’ prune will give your tree a natural shape. As with many fruit trees, olives fruit on new wood, so if you’re going to try for fruit a regular prune will increase your yield. Your tree will usually flower from late Spring.
Why are the flowers on my olive tree falling off?
Cool Drafts and Watering Issues An olive tree dropping flowers may be a sign of drought or other changes in watering. When water is scarce, an olive tree will drop flowers or fruit to conserve energy. Flooding, waterlogged soil, or over-watering can also cause olive flower drop.
What is the white stuff on my olive tree?
If you keep your olive tree outdoors, the white spots on leaves can appear after heavy rain which mixes dirt with water and builds up spots on leaves after it dries. Powdery mildew is one of the foremost widespread and simply identifiable tree fungal diseases.
Are coffee grounds good for olive trees?
Yes, coffee grounds are good for potted olive trees. So apply coffee ground mulch or pine needles in your olive tree pot can help to acidify soil that has a low pH level. Keep in mind the optimum pH level is 6.5 for olive trees. Always test your soil so that you are not adding too much acid.
Why prune olive trees in New Zealand?
This is the visible reality of many NZ olive groves at present. The horticultural reason for pruning olive trees is to maintain them within their allotted space defined by the tree spacing planted in the grove. Like all orchards, this function is to allow control over the health and productive potential of the trees/grove.
What is the best soil for olive trees in New Zealand?
A pH of 6.5 to 7 is preferred, which most soils in New Zealand provide, and full sun will ensure maximum productivity. Olive trees will grow best if lightly fertilised through the summer, along with light irrigation in dry conditions.
Will pickled olives grow in NZ?
Pickling is the most likely outcome for homegrown olives, if the birds don’t get them first. Olive trees have been cultivated for more than 5000 years in the Mediterranean. In New Zealand our oldest trees date back to the 1830s when Charles Darwin observed them growing at Waimate North.
How do you care for a young olive tree?
The young olive tree may need to be staked right up against the trunk to assist with stability. Commercial olive tree growers harvest fruit in September or October for canning purposes and small fruit is left until January or February and then pressed for oil.