Growing Olive Trees in Brisbane: Secrets, Care and the Art of Pruning
If you’re keen on growing olive trees in Brisbane, you’re in for a Mediterranean treat. However, it’s not all sunshine and olive oil - these resilient little guys have their quirks and I’m here to walk you through the process with a side of humour and some real-world tips. So, let’s get cracking!
The Olive Tree Basics
First, let’s talk about what olive trees want. They hail from the Mediterranean, where the summers are warm, the winters have a chill and the soil is well draining. But here in Brisbane, We’ve got a different game going on - our winters are mild and we’ve got more humidity, so you’ve got to work with the conditions.
There are 4 popular varieties of olive trees to consider for Brisbane:
Kalamata Olive Tree - The famous black olives and they’ll fruit here if treated right.
Manzanillo Olive Tree - A Spanish variety that’s a bit of a diva when it comes to Brisbane’s mild winters, But we’ll get to that
Arbequina Olive Tree - Are highly adaptable and considered one of the easiest olive trees to grow in Brisbane. Native to Spain, these are famed for their small, flavourful olives used in oil production
Frantoio Olive Tree - The Frantoio is another Mediterranean gem, known for its high-quality oil production. While its slightly more demanding than the Arbequina, it can thrive is Brisbane with the right care.
The Kalamata Secret: how to Make it Bloom
Growing the kalamata olive tree in Brisbane is very doable. This variety loves Brisbane’s warm climate, but like any superstar, it still has a list of demands:
Lighting:
Bright, indirect sunlight is ideal. These trees can handle the Brisbane sun but make sure you avoid the scorching afternoon rays if they’re in pots.
Soil:
Well-draining soil is key! Go for a mix that doesn’t retain too much moisture but still has enough nutrients. A blend of sandy loam and organic matter will make your olive tree sing.
Watering:
Don’t overdo it! Olive trees like their soil moist but not soggy. Once they’re established, they’re drought tolerant, but while they’re young, water them deeply about once a week during the growing season (Spring & Summer)
The Secret to Fruiting:
Here’s the lowdown - if you want your Kalamata olive tree to fruit, you’ve got to be patient. They need around 3-5 years to mature before they start fruiting. The trick is ensuring the right pollination - even though Kalamatas can be self-pollinating, planting more than one tree boosts the yield.
The Manzanillo Diva: Why It Won’t Flower in Brisbane
Now, lets talk about the Manzanillo olive tree or as I like to call it, “The Diva”. This Spanish variety loves a cold winter chill to flower and fruit. The catch? Brisbane’s winters don’t provide the necessary chill factor of 10 degrees Celsius for at least 2 months
Can you trick it? Not really. Without that cold snap, the Manzanillo is unlikely to bloom here. So, while you’ll still get a beautiful ornamental tree, you might need to rely on your local market for olives.
Lighting: LET'S not get too shady
When it comes to sunlight, your olive tree wants to feel like its lounging in the Mediterranean. Full sun is their ideal condition, but Brisbane’s intense rays can be a bit too much. Morning sun and afternoon shade works wonders, especially during the scorching summers.
Soil: What’s the Best Mix?
Olive trees aren’t picky, but give them what they like, and they’ll thank you with beautiful, silvery-green leaves and hopefully fruit. A sandy loam or well-draining potting mix is best. If the soil is too compact, they’ll throw a tantrum. They don’t do well with “wet feet”, so if the soil stays soggy, you’ll be dealing with root rot.
For those planting in containers, make sure you have good drainage and that the pot has drainage holes. And yes, mix in a bit of sand or perlite to help with that.
Watering: Less Is More
We’ve all overwatered plants in our enthusiasm, and I admit I can be a key culprit for it, but olive trees? Not fans. Olive trees prefer their soil on the drier side, so water deeply but infrequently. For younger trees, about once a week in the growing season is enough. Mature trees? You can dial it back. Keep an eye on the weather too - if it’s been raining, your olive tree has probably had its fill.
Fertilising: Keep It Simple
Olive trees aren’t particularly greedy when it comes to nutrients, but they’ll benefit from slow-release fertiliser with a balanced NPK ratio. Feed them in Spring and Summer, but ease up in autumn and winter when they’re not actively growing.
Pruning: The Olive Tree Haircut
Olive trees are a but like hedgehogs, you’ve got to keep them neat and tidy with a good prune The best time to do this is in late Winter or early Spring, before they start their growing season.
Here’s what you want to do:
Prune away any dead or damaged branches
Thin out the centre to allow Airflow and sunlight to reach the inner branches
Focus on keeping an open shape with a strong central trunk
If you are aimming for an ornamental look, feel free to shape it to your liking. For Fruiting, Focus on Maintaining a structure that supports healthy growth and pollination.
Growing Locations: Where to Plant in Brisbane
In Brisbane, olive trees can thrive in both pots and the ground. If you’re planting directly in the garden, choose a spot with excellent drainage and plenty of sunlight. Raised garden beds can also help improve drainage, especially in clay-heavy soils.
For potted olive trees, make sure you’ve got a large container with good drainage. Keep them near a sunny spot like a patio or balcony. Just make sure they’re not exposed to strong winds, which can stress them out (divas, remember).
How to Train Your Olive Tree
Training your olive tree isn’t just for fun, it’s crucial if you want it to grow strong and healthy. The goal is to have a central leader with evenly spaced branches that can support the weight of the fruit.
Start by selecting a strong central shoot, prune away any competing ones. as the tree grows, guide the branches to form an open, vase like shape. This helps with airflow and sunlight penetration, reducing the risk of disease.
The Secret to Flowering and Fruiting
If you’re growing kalamata olives, you’re in luck! They’ll flower and fruit in Brisbane with the right care. For Manzanillo, however, flowering is a challenge due to the lack of chill in winter. Still, proper care can sometimes lead to blooms, even if it’s rare.
To encourage flowering, make sure your tree gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Fertilise with a balanced fertiliser in early spring and prune regularly to keep the tree healthy.
The secret herbs and spices (well, sort of) - now, while I can’t give you the Colonel’s secret recipe, I can tell you that growing olives trees in Brisbane is all about patience, the right conditions and a bit of Mediterranean flair. Whether you’re aiming for a full orchard or just a single potted tree, olives trees can thrive here with the right care and maybe a little bit of luck.
So, there you have it, a compreshensive guide to growing and caring for olives trees in Brisbane. With a bit of effort and the right condition, your olive trees can become the centre piece of your garden or patio. Plus, they’ll make you feel like you’ve got a slice of the mediterranean right in your backyard.
… and remember, patience is key! Whether you’re growing a Kalamata tree for its famous black olives or trying your hand with a Manzanillo, olive trees take time to mature and fruit. But onces they do, the rewards are worth the wait.
#growyoururbanjungle
Kenny - The Urban Jungle Society
