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Olea europea is a demanding ornamental plant that demands a lot of attention from its owner. Anyone aiming for a successful olive year must ensure ideal conditions during the winter months. In the early years, the plant requires attention again.
The olive tree can go outside as early as February if it is not below -5°C
Properly hibernate
Olive trees are only partially frost-resistant. In milder regions, they tolerate a few minus degrees, even if there is no appropriate winter protection. As soon as the thermometer falls into the double-digit minus range, the Mediterranean plant suffers damage if it overwinters outdoors. Place the tub in a frost-free winter quarters to be on the safe side.
Notes on the winter quarters:
- protected from wind, frost and precipitation
- cool and bright rooms are ideal
- heated living spaces prove to be suboptimal
dangers during the winter
Olive trees are evergreen. Since the foliage is preserved all year round, there is a high risk of damage to the foliage and excessive leaf loss in the cold season. Stress from drought, frost damage or too little light will force the plant to shed its leaves. Therefore, winter care is of great importance.
Pay attention to good care
Water the root ball regularly so that the soil does not dry out completely. However, the roots do not tolerate waterlogging. In preparation for the new season, you should repot your olive tree and provide it with fresh substrate. Prune back the crown to maintain shape and maintain a balance between root system and leaf mass. Remove dead branches and thin out the crown area so that all shoots get enough light.
After hibernation
The olive tree wants to be out in the fresh air again as soon as possible and must not remain in its winter quarters for too long. The decisive factor for this is the development of temperatures outside. Although the wood can tolerate low temperatures, cold nights can damage the foliage.
observe the temperature curve
Depending on the region, you can put the plant outside from mid-February to early April. Outside temperatures should not fall below minus five degrees in the coming weeks. Long-term weather forecasts from the German Weather Service provide information about how the climate in your federal state is developing. The placement under the open sky can be done earlier if you place the tree well protected. As soon as there are more than twelve degrees, the wood migrates permanently to its original place of growth.
choose location
If the tree has spent the winter indoors, it slowly gets used to the old outdoor location. The leaves require a slow approach to higher levels of light and UV rays to avoid scorching. In addition, the plant should not be directly exposed to rain and cold winds. A covered place on the wall of the house, where the facade radiates heat at night, is suitable for acclimatization.