Strictly speaking, the very slow-growing olive tree does not require any additional nutrients. The soils of its Mediterranean home are rather nutrient-poor and its roots are designed to pull out even the tiniest bit of nutrients and moisture.

Stimulate growth with the right fertilizer

For this reason, it is actually quite sufficient if you repot your olive tree every two to three years and replace the used substrate on the occasion. However, olives grow very slowly - and additional fertilizers, especially phosphate and nitrate, can stimulate growth and increase your tree's resistance to disease and pest infestation.

Which fertilizer is suitable?

Unfortunately, there is still no special fertilizer for olive trees available commercially. However, commercially available complete fertilizer is completely sufficient. It is best to use a fertilizer for balcony or pot plants or a slow-release fertilizer.

How is fertilized?

In the growing season between April and September you should fertilize your olive tree about every 14 days. Add liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water according to the package instructions and water the tree with it. Alternatively - for example in very dry and hot summers - you can also fill the mixture into a spray bottle and spray the plant all over. Please do not do this in the midday sun, but in the early morning or evening hours. Otherwise, the leaves could suffer burns. Long-term fertilizers, on the other hand, only apply until July, because in the cold season the olive needs a break and must not be fertilized.

observe the winter break

In autumn and winter, an olive tree needs fewer nutrients, which is why you should stop fertilizing from around October. Olive trees can be over-fertilized quickly, which in turn leads to disease and pest infestation. You should also limit the watering during the winter months, but not completely stop it. Don't forget to water in winter, otherwise your olive tree is in danger of drying out.

Frequency of fertilizing depends on age

Note that younger trees need to be fertilized much less often than older ones. Only from the age of about two years can you start with regular fertilizer application in full. Before that, it is sufficient to supply the young trees with a sixth of the usual amount of fertilizer in the spring and summer months. At this age, one fertilizer application per month is sufficient.

Do not fertilize seedlings and cuttings

Seedlings and cuttings in particular should never be stimulated to grow with fertilizer. The joy of the little tree would not last long, because it would quickly die due to over-fertilization. The nutrients contained in the substrate are completely sufficient for such young plants. Apart from that, cuttings that are not yet rooted or have only a few roots are not yet able to absorb the administered nutrients.

tips and tricks

Yellowing leaves on the olive tree can indicate an excess of water and nutrients, but also an infestation with spider mites. Use fertilizer as sparingly as possible, then your little tree will also feel good all around.

Category:

Trees