Oliveira Bonsai 17 years old

Common Name: Olive Tree

Scientific Name: Olea europea

Characteristics: Originating from the Mediterranean region (Portugal/ Greece/Spain/Italy), it belongs to the Oleaceae family.

A medium-sized tree with slow growth, evergreen and oval-shaped leaves in green-gray tones.

There is a wild variety, the Wild Olea, also highly appreciated in Bonsai for its small leaf size and the rigidity of the trunk which allows for Jin and Shari (deadwood) techniques; this variety does not bear fruit.

Location: Outdoors, where it receives 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day (ideally in the morning or late afternoon), protected from strong winds and frost.

Watering: Water the soil abundantly until a good amount of water flows out of the drainage holes, to evenly moisten the soil, always from above never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.

Tips on watering, consult the watering technical sheet watering.

Let the surface layer of the soil dry slightly between each watering (to check if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).

If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to prevent root rot).

There is no benefit in misting the leaves; only do so on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is for foliar application, but ensure the leaves dry by night to avoid fungi.

Nutrition: From February to October, follow a base plan composed of a complete fertilizer (Fertil Bonsai Humic, or Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant (Bio Bonsai Activ), which can also be combined with other products from our range.

Detailed information on how to combine these products with others from our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

Pruning: Pruning should be done by allowing the plant to grow 5 to 6 pairs of leaves, then cutting back to the original shape. Unfortunately, this method usually removes the flower buds.

After winter, a formative pruning can be done and let the branches expand slightly so flowers appear, cutting only above them afterwards.

Tips on pruning, consult the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.

Transplanting: With Leafy Bonsai Soil in February. Strong pruning and partial defoliation should be done if necessary.

Details about transplanting, post-transplant care, and specific fortifiers you can use are available in the transplanting technical sheet.

Wiring: Can be done throughout the year.

Guidelines on wiring, consult the wiring technical sheet.