Spindly olive tree in container

[missalaska]

My mission olive is recovering from a mealy bug attack and is very spindly. It is about 5.5 ft but doesn't seem very strong, granted it suffers the summer wind here but that is quite unavoidable.

Lots of foliage came back up top (having followed the advice of local garden centre where I bought the tree).

I'm concerned that is is spindly do I give it a bit of a prune? If so, any advice or websites. I can see about pruning to get a clear trunk slowly but not much else for young trees.

Thanks in advance

[gojiberry]

If you want it to bush out just cut the top 2ft off, that will encourage it to grow side shoots. Summer wind should not be a problem. Is it inside or outside? They tend to do better in pots so that you can bring them inside for the winter. They will withstand the cold but not our cold & wet combined.

Ian

[stella]

Just noticed mine is dropping its leaves......... oh no is it on the way out????

[missalaska]

If you want it to bush out just cut the top 2ft off, that will encourage it to grow side shoots. Summer wind should not be a problem. Is it inside or outside? They tend to do better in pots so that you can bring them inside for the winter. They will withstand the cold but not our cold & wet combined.

Ian

Outside all year round, couldn't have it inside there isn't really the need to here.

However, the guy at the garden centre said it might be a wasp that attacks the root and if so we would need to use a chemical to address it, he knows we don't like that kind of thing.

On Saturday I was emptying a pot that had a curry bush in, that limped for a couple of years and then died - what did I find? A darn wasp came flying out of the soil at me! Luckily I expected to find some grubs so I had my gloves on.

I also saw a wasp trying to get into our Kokerboom's pot last year but I filled the hole it started and shooed it away and moved the pot - didn't see another hole reappear.

I'm gravely concerned the garden centre guy has made a correct diagnosis.