Problems with olive trees in pots – the solutions!
The olive tree is one the most loved trees we have, offering timeless elegance and charm. Olive trees in pots can make excellent space-saving addition to your home, patio, landscape or entrance of your house. They are growing rapidly in demand, however, there could be problems with olive trees in pots if not nurtured correctly. Here, we look at the key problems with olive trees in pots and how to avoid them. Knowing what to look out for will mean growing your olive tree will be easier and more fun!
Choose your olive tree pot size carefully
One big hurdle to overcome with olive trees in pots is knowing the correct the pot size to use. If the pot is too small, it can be harmful to the expanding root system. Olive trees quickly grow roots that can hit the sides of the container and turn. And, within no time, the pot can be full of circling roots. When the pot is too small for your olive tree, the easiest solution is re-potting.
Tips on choosing the Right Pot for Your Olive Tree:
- Ensure its large enough to house the root ball of your olive tree
- Ensure that the pot has enough drainage (holes)
- Do not put a small olive tree in a very large container, increase the pot size in stages
- For extra stability to prevent olive trees blowing down in windy weather, choose heavy frost-proof terracotta or clay pots with drain holes
- Light-weight plastic garden pots are a good choice if your olive tree is small or young as they are good at retaining moisture
Re-Pot your olive tree
Several years after planting olive trees in pots, the trees circling roots can begin to strangle the trunk, causing the olive tree to die. One of the symptoms of an over-crowded pot includes leaves that turn yellow and drop off. Another problem of olive trees in pots can be roots escaping from the drainage holes. To avoid these problems, the olive tree needs repotting every three to five years.
Protect your olive trees in pots from cold & freezing weather
Olive trees in pots will only suffer serious damage at temperatures below -10ć. In exposed gardens, olive trees in pots will need protecting during winter as the roots growing near the edges are vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Try to provide two layers of protection by covering the pot with a sheet of plastic or a bubble wrap.
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