How do you make an olive tree produce fruit?

 If you were to pick the most important tree in Western culture, it would be the olive tree, right? The olive tree is so versatile that in addition to being a great ornamental, it also produces olive oil, one of the world's most important cooking ingredients. Today we will learn about the basic characteristics of olive trees, how to grow them as ornamentals at home, and how to make them bear olive fruits! Let’s Go!!!!

 

Olive  Arbequina (Photo by Mung flower garden)

 

What about olive trees?

 Olive trees are part of the Oleaceae family and are native to the Mediterranean region. This olive tree is one of the oldest cultivated trees known from historical records. It has also been an important part of Mediterranean culture and cuisine for thousands of years. The scientific name of the olive tree is Olea europaea, and it is well known to us as it is referred to as the olive tree in the Bible.

 Olive trees are evergreen trees. This means that it produces green leaves all year round. The height varies slightly depending on the variety, but it usually grows between 3 and 12 m, with some growing over 20 m. It has small, leathery, spear-shaped leaves. The tree produces small, white flowers that are very fragrant and bloom in late spring or early summer. The fruit of the olive tree is a drupe with a hard pit in the middle and a fleshy exterior. In fact, it is difficult to see flowers on olives grown for ornamental purposes. Below I will explain what you need to do to make this flower bloom.

 

Where do olive trees live?

 Olive trees are well adapted to the Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. They love direct sunlight, prefer well-drained soil, and are tolerant of drought, heat, and wind. Olive trees are also suitable for growing in coastal areas because they are salt-tolerant and can withstand strong sea winds. Therefore, in the southern coastal areas of Korea, it can be grown in the open field. As a side note, there was a donut shop next to our store, and I think they received an olive tree as an opening gift. He put it out in front of the store to grow it, but even if I just leave it outside without any special care, it's still growing well. These hardy olive trees are an important part of the Mediterranean ecosystem, providing food and shelter for a variety of wildlife, including birds, insects and small mammals.

 

The life of an olive tree

 Olive trees have a complex reproductive cycle that includes cross-pollination. To bear fruit, olive trees must be planted in pairs or groups to encourage cross-pollination between different varieties.

Additionally, olive trees can live for hundreds of years and are known to have the ability to regenerate even after severe pruning or damage. They also have the ability to grow new shoots from their roots, making them difficult to eradicate once established, to the extent that they can cause ecological disturbance, much like the acacia tree.

 

Olive tree that makes the window shine even more (Photo by Mung flower garden)

Caring an olive tree as an ornamental at home

 If you are interested in growing an olive tree as an ornamental at home, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, olive trees prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They also need to be watered regularly, especially during the first few years of growth. However, if you planted it in a soil setting that does not drain well, you need to think about how to water it. It is important that plants are planted by professionals. Don't be afraid to grow plants. There is no such thing as a born plant killer. If the plant you purchased dies easily, there is a more than 40% chance that the person who planted it did so incorrectly. When planting olive trees, it is important to choose a variety that suits your climate and soil conditions.

 

 Popular varieties for ornamental purposes include ‘Arbequina’, ‘Manzanillo’ and ‘Koroneiki’. Arbequina species have short, plump leaves, while Manzanillo species have long, sleek leaves. And Koroneiki has a color and luster similar to Arbequina, but has sharp and long leaves like Manzanillo.

 

 Olive trees can be grown in pots or in the ground, depending on space and preference. If you choose to grow your olive tree in a pot, it is best to choose a well-draining pot, preferably an earthen pot, and preferably one with large drainage holes.

 

Olive tree is very suitable for interior decoration. (Photo by Mung flower garden)

How to make an olive tree bear fruit

 If you want to harvest fruit while growing olive trees, there are a few things to keep in mind. Let’s take a closer look at how to make it bear fruit.

 1. Sufficient sunlight and ventilation

 Olive trees need sufficient sunlight and air circulation to bear fruit. Therefore, plant the tree in a location that receives plenty of sunlight, and prune the leaves so that there is enough space between them to ensure good air circulation.

 

 2. Regular pruning

 

 Pruning is very important for fruit production. If the tree grows larger than expected, it will produce many branches, so it is recommended to prune it regularly to produce fruit. For example, apple trees must be pruned in early spring, and experts who know how to prune to produce good fruit are worth a lot of money. He says it wasn't easy to recruit him.

 It is best to prune olive trees in spring or early summer when winter is over. Cut off any damaged or unclean parts of existing branches, and preserve branches that are in a good position to bear fruit.

 3. Use appropriate fertilizer

 

 Fertilizer is very important for olive trees. If fertilizer is not used or is overused, the tree may have difficulty producing fruit. Therefore, it is recommended to use appropriate fertilizer. Fertilizers that are easy to use at home include dry compost and seaweed. If you use other fertilizers, be sure to follow the instructions for use of the fertilizer.

 4. Proper management

 

 The most important thing in growing olive trees to make them bear fruit is proper management. Olive trees are susceptible to drying out, so they require constant care, especially in the first few years. Please continue to maintain the tree while it grows. When watering, be sure not to overwater, and please prune and apply fertilizer regularly.

 5. One thing that is more important than anything else

 As mentioned earlier, several olive trees must be placed nearby for crossbreeding. If you are planting an olive tree in a pot, we recommend growing multiple olive trees together.