Plant Tissue Culture PPT

The olive tree is synonymous with the Mediterranean and warm climates so it may seem surprising to know that the olive is actually very hardy and adaptable to a wide range of climates. In the UK they do best in milder microclimates such as coastal areas and urban settings. Here is a short guide to growing and caring for olives in your garden.

The position of your olive tree is most important. Make sure you site it in a sunny position, ideally south or west facing with some protection from cold winds. Olives prefer free-draining soils that do not become too wet. Olive trees do not require much in the way of pruning but can be cut according to shape and size. They will benefit from a light pruning in mid-spring, followed by a harder prune in early to mid-summer. Olives should be fed every two weeks or so from May to September. Seaweed feed is a good fertiliser to use.

In winter, olives can withstand temperatures down to around 5 degrees C but will need protection if it drops below this. Wrap horticultural fleece around the base and crown of the tree. Olives grown in containers run the risk of root damage due to frost. This can be remedied by layering the pot with bubble wrap and then re-planting before winter or adding bubble wrap to the outside of the pot, secured with twine.

It is possible to harvest olives from your tree in the UK. However, olive production can be hampered if the summer is overly wet or cool. Choose a variety that has been successful in producing olives in cooler climates. Try Olea europaea 'Cipressino'. You cannot eat olives straight from the tree, they need to be pickled and then marinated first. Pickle the olives in salt water for about five weeks and then marinate them in olive oil along with either garlic or lemons or both.

Olives can be successfully grown in garden planters and will be happy in a pot for many years. Standard trees make particularly nice specimens either side of a sheltered doorway or as a focal point in a sunny spot. There are a few things to remember when planting olives in containers. Don't over-pot your olive but use a container just slightly larger than the original pot. This rule should also be followed when re-potting olive trees. Use a good quality multipurpose compost mixed equally with John Innes no. 3.

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