How to grow a mini-olive tree in a pot

The olive tree  is undoubtedly one of the most famous and appreciated fruit trees in the world. It is in fact a plant that produces olives, destined in part for the production of oil and partly for direct nutrition. The olive tree is therefore a plant indispensable for human nutrition. It is part of the Oleaceae family and is an evergreen plant. Its activity is continuous throughout the year, except for a slight slowdown in the winter months. It is commonly acknowledged that the olive tree is not well tolerated by low temperatures.

The cultivation of mini-potted olive tree

There are many people who nowadays decide to cultivate a mini-olive in their own home. This trend has been made possible thanks to the many changes that the plant has undergone over the years: it has become more resistant and is able to respond even more to stricter climates. The cultivation of the mini-olive in pot can be made by any person as it does not require any special attention. So even those who are not seasoned can try to grow this beautiful plant on their balcony. The first thing to do though is definitely to choose the best place to place the olive tree. In general, it is advisable to prefer a very ventilated area and well exposed to the rays of the sun. After that you have to make the choice of the pot, which must be large in size so that it does not compromise the plant.

Of course, the type of jar to be preferred must also take into account other factors such as space available. Once you have purchased everything you need, you can proceed with the actual cultivation. It is important to know that the olive tree needs a fairly fertile soil to grow optimally. It must always be fresh and watered in the proper way. This, however, does not mean that watering is too frequent as it would surely generate the opposite effect. Therefore, proper irrigation is carried out from time to time but abundant: in this way we guarantee the plant the right amount of water without exaggerating. As far as the soil is concerned, it is also advisable to use half of the garden and half of the sand. During the autumn then, to help the plant grow, you can use the appropriate fertilizer to distribute on the surface. In winter, however, it is advisable to protect your mini-olive in a vase so that the cold does not ruin it.

The vessel can be wrapped in a straw or plastic canvas while the plant can be covered with a fabric towel. If you do not have these items, you can still try to move the jar inside your home as long as it is placed in a space that is not too hot and especially bright. As far as pruning is concerned, it should only be done in case of need, eliminating all dried and damaged leaves. It is, however, preferable to do this before the fruit grows, therefore, between the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

The most interesting curiosities about olive tree

The olive tree is a plant that best suits the Mediterranean climate (therefore characterized by mild winters and warm summers) but nowadays it is planted successfully also in other areas of the world such as California, Argentina, Australia and South Africa. From a symbolic standpoint, this plant has always represented peace for both the eastern and western worlds. Already in ancient times it represented a sacred plant, a symbol of justice and wisdom. But it is in particular in the Christian religion that the olive has a certain value: it represents rebirth and peace as it is present in numerous passages of the Bible and of Jesus’ history. It is no coincidence that the olive tree is celebrated during the Palm Tree in which it symbolizes the very figure of Christ.