A guide to follow for growing indoor olive tree and in orchards

Olive trees, the symbol of peace and longevity, have been the most loyal companion of mankind since antiquity. It is common practice to grow olive trees indoors even if one does not have a large orchard to plant those trees.

In Medeteranian folklore, the olive tree radiates goodness and foreshadows fortune. That’s why most families have unique bonds with their inheritance of olives. It is a so deeply rooted bond that even the young generations have been fostering the habit of taking care of those trees and planting new ones.

Growing indoor olive tree or in orchards is a fun practice and good sports. If you are already in love with the species or you would like to discover more about it, then all you have to do is to follow this post for interesting details and helpful tips.

Characteristics of the olive tree:

This species requires hot to medium temperatures. This means that they are hardy to zones with warm summers and moderate winter weather. Long periods of snow or temperatures below 22°F might be fatal for young trees, while old trees might tolerate no less than 15°F. Perennial trees might regrow from the roots, but it is always safer to choose a suitable soil and temperature zone because young trees cannot tolerate much cold.

These simple needs make the olive tree most suited to the Mediterranean climate and that’s why it is excessively planted on both shores of the sea. However, the tree adapts to other regions of the world, even America and its cold weather. Yet it does not thrive in all soils; it’s highly adaptable to areas prone to hot temperatures like Arizona, Hawaii, Florida, Texas, and California.

Those trees favor well-drained and non-stratified soils. Waterlogged soils are definitely a poor choice for olives. Avoid lands with high clay and poor drainage or you will suffer the death of your plants.

Those living in extremely cold places do not have to suffer the lack of olive trees. Even if you inhabit an area with moderate weather and you don’t have much space for planting trees or you simply wish to have an evergreen olive close by for continuous admiration, then you can plant your tree indoors.

Growing olive trees indoors using the bonsai style is an efficient practice and is often rewarding. It might be the perfect solution for many people.

Indoors plantation: tips to follow

Planting trees in conditions other than the normal environment requires attention and regular control. Though, don’t panic.

First of all, you need to choose the most suitable spot. Pick a place that gets at least six to eight hours of sun. if you are plating the tree in your back yard, make sure to choose carefully because it’s a permanent location. If you are planting it in a container, you also need to pick a good place, though you can always move the container to better areas.

If you are going with the second choice, then make sure you use a wood or clay pot; plastic pots retain too much water and that is not good for the trees. Opt for a large container to leave room for the roots to develop and make sure they have drainage holes.

Arbequina, frantoio, Koroeike, and picual are among the most common trees preferred for indoors planting. Arbequina, from Catalonia, has small fruits and blue-green leaves. Koroeike can thrive on partial sun, which makes it the perfect type to opt for if you live in a cold place.

Fertilization and pruning:

Koroeike and arbequina are self-fertilizing trees and that’s why most people opt for these two types especially for indoor plantations. Other varieties need fertilization for bountiful crops. Use a balanced fertilizer and follow the label’s instructions and you will be doing just fine.

Pruning trees is an easy process. For home olives, you can have the shape you like or you can just cut a few branches for new ones to grow and existing fruits to thrive. Pay attention to diseased, dead, and damaged branches and cut them to prevent further damage.

Outdoor trees also need pruning; it is best performed just after the harvest season. Try to limit your pruning period to the early days of spring maximum because soon later the trees will be flowering again.

Growing olive trees is a rewarding effort, a simple process, and a good habit to foster. Growing olive trees indoors for ornamental purposes is also quite fascinating. With the second option, you would enjoy the mesmerizing sight and possibly the resulting oil harvest for even bonsai-style trees bear fruits.