Do you love the Mediterranean flair that your olive tree exudes in your garden? Then just multiply it. It's easier than you think and you can enjoy even more of the Mediterranean atmosphere in your garden.
The Mediterranean olive tree (Olea europaea) is finding its way into more and more gardens, terraces and balconies as a container plant. No wonder, it radiates Mediterranean flair without much around it. It is only too understandable that some people cannot get enough of it. How about another copy to expand the view?
Olive trees are easy to propagate yourself. This works with cuttings and even with the seed core of the olive itself. This takes a little longer, but with plenty of care and warmth it works.
Propagate olive tree - 2 possibilities presented
Propagation by cuttings
➤ Young, not yet lignified branches of an olive tree are ideal for propagation with cuttings. In the spring, cut off shoots five to ten centimeters long, on which ideally there will be a few eyes. The cutting edge should be as slanted as possible.
➤ Then remove the lower leaves of the scion. Then the cutting comes in a pot with potting soil. Don't stick too deep, then the new roots will develop better.
➤ Now all you have to do is water lightly, keep the pot warm - temperatures around 25° Celsius are ideal - and keep the soil moist for the next few weeks. Then little leaves will appear. The leaves are a sign that roots have formed on the cutting.
Here's a short video tutorial:
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Repot:
The olive tree grows very slowly. It is best left in the seed pot for the first year. If the pot is big enough, you can wait longer to transplant. The pot size should be adapted to the growth, the roots will grow too quickly in pots that are too large. As a rule of thumb (also later, ifthe olive tree is in a pot on the terrace): The pot should be about a third larger than the tree crown.
If the young plant is strong enough, you can put the pot outside in the summer. Planting outdoors is only advisable if you live in an area with a very mild climate. The olive tree is better off in a bucket.
Propagation by seeds
First of all: olives from a glass or even from a martini glass are not suitable. So plan a holiday in Tuscany or ask a nursery if you can get fresh, fully ripe olives. The germination rate is different. Also, it can happen that only wildlings evolve.
➤ Remove the pulp from the stone and place it in lukewarm water overnight. To help the seed germinate, lightly sand it with sandpaper.
➤ Now put the core in a pot with potting soil. You can put several seeds in one pot because often not all seeds will germinate. A thin layer of soil is placed over the seeds. Always keep the substrate slightly moist. The pot is best placed in a warm and bright place. A temperature of at least 25° Celsius is optimal.
➤ Now it's time to wait! It may take a few weeks for the cores to start to none. The joy is all the greater when the first tender shoot tips appear.
A short video tutorial:
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Short summary:
- Prune young shoots and use as cuttings
- Keep potting soil always moist
- Keep the pot warm and bright
- Soak the ripe olive stones, grind them and put them in potting soil