Content
- Olive tree - a Mediterranean ornament for terrace and balcony
- Proper planting of the olive in the pot
- Which soil is optimal for olives?
- The right location on the balcony or terrace
- Olive trees overwinter
- Tips & Tricks
Olive tree - a Mediterranean ornament for terrace and balcony
The olive tree, often referred to as the "true olive tree", is at home in the warm and dry Mediterranean countries. Where it is sunny and rarely cold, it grows and thrives - and can grow to 600 years old. In our latitudes, it is actually too cool, which is why a Kübelhaltung on a sheltered balcony or the terrace is preferable to a location in the garden.
Proper planting of the olive in the pot
Basically olives are quite easy to care for plants. So that such a tree feels comfortable with you, you should follow some rules:
Too much moisture, especially waterlogging - this arises when the irrigation water can not escape from the pot - causes the roots rot and then enters the tree. For this reason you should pay attention to a sufficient drainage. For this purpose, you layer some pebbles under the potting soil, moreover, the pot should have a drain hole.
Which soil is optimal for olives?
Olives love a sandy, not too nutritious substrate, which should also be loose and permeable. Loamy soil is rather suboptimal because the roots in it can not unfold properly and be crushed. It is better if you mix at least a third of coarse sand or gravel and two-thirds of conventional potting soil. Special citrus soil is also well accepted as the needs of citrus and olive trees are quite similar.
The right location on the balcony or terrace
Perfect for both small and large olive trees is a full sun, sheltered location. As a rule, olives thrive quite well even in partial shade. If possible, place the pot on a wall or in a corner, where it is warmer and also more sheltered from the wind than at a freer location. Although olives do not like wetness, they need a certain amount of moisture, especially as potted plants. Therefore you should water your tree sparingly, but regularly. Fertilization is at best in the spring, at the beginning of the growing season, with liquid container plant fertilizer. The cut should also be done in spring.
Olive trees overwinter
Basically, you can leave your olive tree outside in the winter, but should be careful to pack it warm. Above all, the roots must be protected from frost, for example, with a thick layer of brushwood or bark mulch. Make sure that the earth does not freeze! Alternatively, set the tree to a bright but cool (about 10 ° C) place.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to put your little tree back on the balcony in the spring, get used to it slowly, first by setting it in the partial shade for a few days. You should also avoid the midday sun first. Otherwise it may cause leaf burns and brown spots on the leaves.