Olive tree via Interflora question.

[Muppet]

I was sent an olive tree via Interflora 2 years ago for my birthday )3 days before Christmas). It was very cold at the time so kept it indoors and realised when most of the leaves fell off that it didn't like it. Re-potted in Feb 2010 into a bigger pot and put into the unheated greenhouse. Re-potted again into a very large container at the end of 2011. Spent winter in the greenhouse again.
It now looks like it needs either a VERY big container or put into the soil. There were no instructions or olive type with the delivery so I have no idea what it is other than an olive because the invoice said so.
Can it be put into the garden? I have considered planting in the corner of the greenhouse but it would take up alot of room.
Any advice really appreciated.
Sue
p.s It has flowered this year whilst in fromt of our bungalow which is south facing.

[veggiechicken]

I've had one in the garden for about 5 years - got it off Freecycle, in a pot. Planted it out and let it get on with life. Last year, it lost most of its leaves in a prolonged cold snap - its right as ninepence now. Its about 3 feet tall and has had olives.

[FB.]

Why does it need a very big container?
What's wrong with the container it's in at the moment?

[Alison]

I don't think that they need that big a pot, just free draining, gritty soil. Mine lives outside all summer in a pot and only goes in the greenhouse in periods of extreme cold (when I remember). I did lose my last one a couple of winters ago when it was very snowy so am protecting this one a bit better (hence the use of a greenhouse) as it's only small.

[Muppet]

The olive is about 3 foot tall in it's pot - it looks like it needs something bigger as it would be like trying to make me look comfortable in size 12 clothes! - trust me I wouldn't. Daft I know but I would like it to survive against the odds - which means my complete lack of olive husbandry knowledge.
Sue

[FB.]

Small pots will restrict the roots, which may be a good thing if you want to keep it small.

Apparently, olives are much like figs - they like dry, infertile, slightly alkaline soil in a hot, sunny location. They also like to grow enormous root systems which are well-suited to dry infertile soil.

If grown in good, moist soil they tend to be very vigorous, unfruitful and disease-prone.

So I'd expect that if you show it too much love, it might end up being killed with kindness.
The only love I'd give it, is some consideration for its intolerance of cold. Young olives are supposedly very frost-tender and easily killed, but as they age they become more tolerant and after several years should have a good chance of tolerating most British winters.

[Two_Sheds]

The olive is about 3 foot tall in it's pot - it looks like it needs something bigger

A photo would help: a small pot to you might be a big pot to us

Generally, you need to look at the roots when you're thinking of repotting things, not the top growth


Olive / Royal Horticultural Society

another linky for you Sue.

[Two_Sheds]

The olive is about 3 foot tall in it's pot - it looks like it needs something bigger

A photo would help: a small pot to you might be a big pot to us

Generally, you need to look at the roots when you're thinking of repotting things, not the top growth



Olive / Royal Horticultural Society

another linky for you Sue.

[veggiechicken]

For the record - here's my Olive tree. There are some dead branches that took the frost last year and never recovered - I must snip them off sometime! The water in the Blue pot is frozen solid

[BUFFS]

When i had one i mixed a third of sharp sand,third of grit and a third of john innes no. 3,after the first winter it stayed outside unless heavy snow was forecast,i dont know whether it was correct or not but while it was young i trimmed it to promote more branches,it did work okay but plant was gifted to the new house owners and was still growing slowly several years later,and it had a good girth by then..

[ancee]

Our old house in Devon has a lovely olive tree that we planted in the front garden and had to leave We had one olive the year we left!

[Muppet]

Thank you for all of the advice. I will check the roots next year and if they don't look spaghetti - ish it can stay in it's 30 Lt pot.
Sue