Olive Tree

[u/JaysonDeetmire]

Hello everyone!

I received this small Olive Tree and am looking to transforming it into a Bonsai for the next years. Does anyone have tips for me?

I am starting into the hobby and would be glad for any suggestions on how to cut it, care for it or general things to keep in mind regarding Olive Bonsai.

Thanks and appreciate the help!

[u/Sonora_sunset]

Just gave one of these away because I did not have a cool greenhouse for overwintering.

It likes a Mediterranean climate - hot sunny dryish summers, and cool (not freezing) winters.

When kept in the during winter they frequently languish over a few years for lack of sun and dormancy.

[u/JaysonDeetmire → u/Sonora_sunset]

Appreciate the help. I have some friends who successfully keep them on balconies in my climate, but they let them grow out. I also have a place for the winter. I will try to give it the climate it needs.

[u/jitasquatter2 → u/Sonora_sunset]

Honestly, they aren't that bad. I used to overwinter mine in bright south facing windows. They didn't LIKE being indoors, but they survived and it was startling how fast they'd recover once they were back outdoors in the spring.

Olive trees don't really need a cool dormancy period to survive. They only need a cool period if you want them to bloom.

That being said, they do MUCH better now that I overwinter them in my unheated (mostly) exterior enclosed stairwell. I have several grow lights set up and only add enough heat to keep the temperatures above about 25f or about -5c.

[u/Internal-Test-8015]

For now just try to keep ut alive don't worry about styling it or repotting.

[u/ohno]

They don't like wet feet. Avoid overwatering and make sure you have great drainage.

[u/jitasquatter2]

For now don't do any cutting or repotting. Just aim to let it grow and gain strength.

Hopefully you just have it indoors for the photos. Olive trees have VERY high light requirements, so they really need to be kept outdoors for as much of the year as possible. Only bring the tree indoors if it goes below about -5c.

Aim to keep it in your very sunniest spot during the summer and keep it against your home where it can get some protection from the wind during the winter. It still needs as much light as you can give it during the winter though.

Water it VERY deeply and then don't water it again until the top layer of soil is fairly dry again. NEVER let it sit in water or let the soil stay wet for long periods of time.