Olive trees usually only grow in pots - a very limited space for trees and shrubs. Repotting the olive trees is all the more important. We'll tell you how.

Even in the pot, make sure you use the right fertilizer

Olive trees (Olea europea) belong to the olive tree genus (Olea). Planted out, they can reach heights of up to 20 meters and a crown circumference of 5 meters. Unfortunately, this pretty tree is used to a warm, dry climate, so in our climes pot culture has to be resorted to most of the time. This allows the plant to move to a sheltered winter quarters in icy temperatures. Although olive trees are ideal for pot culture due to their slow growth and their rather flat roots, a tree is always a tree. Your potted olive tree will quickly become claustrophobic and will need a new home.

Olive tree repotting: frequency and timing

Olive trees are not known for their rapid growth. But they are also gradually getting bigger and can reach heights of up to two meters in the pot. Since the pot doesn't grow with you, it has to be repotted regularly.

How often does an olive tree need to be repotted?

It is best to repot your olive tree for the first time immediately after purchase. In this way you avoid pests that you have dragged along staying in the ground and you know for sure that the tree is in the right substrate. Otherwise, it is important to pay attention to the needs of the plant. Don't stick to fixed times. Young, fast-growing trees sometimes require a new pot every year. At the very latest, when the first roots look through the drainage hole of the pot, repot. Otherwise, olive trees get a larger pot every two to three years. This guarantees optimal growth of the plants. The roots have plenty of room again and the fresh soil ensures a better supply of nutrients.

Olive trees grow very slowly - perfect for cultivation as bonsai

Note: If there is a risk of root rot because waterlogging has formed, repotting is also done.

When is the right time to repot an olive tree?

You'd best drawOlive tree to its new home in late winter to early spring. Repotting shortly before leaving winter quarters offers the advantage that the plant is well recovered from hibernation. In addition, it is much easier to start the new growing season with fresh soil.

Repot the olive tree: the right soil

Even if the pot culture is the right thing for the cold-sensitive trees in our climate, the tree is severely restricted. This limitation makes choosing the right soil and its condition incredibly important to the development of your olive tree. Use garden soil mixed with sand and humus or citrus plant soil. If necessary, potting soil can also be used. The main thing is that the soil used is nice and loose and permeable so that no waterlogging forms. Otherwise there is a risk of root rot.

The soil should be loose and permeable, citrus plant soil is best (Advertisement: Many thanks to Floragard)

Hint: Mix in the eggshell, potash, or bone meal into the soil. This guarantees a good supply of potassium and makes the olive tree less sensitive to cold.

Repot olive tree": the right pot

The new pot should be about 4 centimeters larger than the old one. If you choose a much larger pot right away, it will take too long for the new soil to be so well rooted that the tree can find a good hold. In addition, trees that are sensitive to waterlogging should not be without a drainage hole. So that they never stand in water, you can place your pot on small feet. A drainage layer of gravel or shards of clay at the bottom of the pot further reduces the risk of waterlogging. The material the pot is made of does not matter to the plants. But when choosing the potting material, you should consider that you will have to move the plant and pot when you move to winter quarters. Plastic pots may not be as aesthetically pleasing as terracotta pots. But from a certain size it becomes a feat of strength to move the heavy pots together with the ever-growing olive tree. If you want to combine the advantages of both materials, put your olive tree in a plastic pot in a terracotta cachepot in summer. That way the tree won't fall over so easily.

With the right care, you can enjoy your little olive trees for a long time

Repotting an olive tree: instructions on how to do it

The larger the tree, the more difficult it is to repot. Therefore, especially with largerspecimens, repotting while lying down has proven to be practical. Here are step-by-step instructions so that repotting works for you too and you don't have to struggle too much with the tree:

  1. The olive tree is carefully laid on its side
  2. Remove the root ball from the pot by turning and pulling at the same time
  3. Remove dead fine roots
  4. Removing moss and weeds from the root disc
  5. Lay drainage layer on the bottom of the new pot
  6. 20 - Fill 30% of the new pot with soil and press down gently
  7. Put on the olive tree and put it in the new pot
  8. Straighten trunk; Fill the gaps between pot and ball with soil
  9. Press the earth firmly
  10. Water well
Repotting is important for the he alth of the sapling

Especially when it is high time to repot, the root ball is all the more firmly in the pot. Being squeamish doesn't help much. Clamp the tree between your legs and then pull hard. If still nothing happens, you have to get strong helpers or even smash the old pot. If you want to correct a crooked growth of your olive tree when repotting, the root ball is shortened on the side opposite to the center of growth. If the tree grows to the left, the root ball is shortened on the right. In addition, the olive tree must not be fertilized for six weeks after repotting, as the new soil contains sufficient nutrients for this period.

Note: If the tree is to stop growing after repotting, the root ball is cut back. But never remove more than 10% of the roots.

Click here for more tips on caring for your potted olive tree.

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Trees