For example, the four main types in California are: Mission, Manzanillo, Sevillano and Ascolano. Even though these are grown in the same state, the diverse climate, coupled with a particular olive strand, yields a range of results. Significantly research your location to determine which type of olive will prosper. Growing from seed, you will get more of a wild variety than any of the parent trees it came from.
Using olives purchased from a grocery store will not work. These have been processed for consumption which means they’ve been cooked. This process kills the seed inside the pit, so they are no longer viable. Raw olives from the produce section may be viable, though. If you don’t have access to an olive tree, many large orchards will ship pits/seeds directly to you.
If a hammer isn’t available, use a wide knife and smash with the flat side. If you notice a few floating to the surface, gather these and discard. They are likely rotten.
If a scour pad is not available, try sandpaper.
Soak these for 24 hours in room temperature water. [2] X Research source
You can use a larger pot if you prefer. You will be transplanting the seeds when they sprout and mature. Thoroughly mix the soil together using a spoon, stick or your hand.
Plant several more seeds than you want trees. Olives have a low germination rate, even under the best conditions.
Instead of using a bag, place the pot inside a propagator if one is available. Expect germination within a month.
Because frost damage is a huge concern for these plants, wait until spring if your area experiences temperatures below 30°F (-1. 1°C).
You can use a small shovel or your hand to dig the hole. The good thing about olive trees is that they can tolerate most soil types. This includes rocky or sandy soil. The only requirement is that it must have good drainage or they will slowly decline and die due to too much moisture. Poorly-drained soil conditions can lead to root disease such as Verticillium wilt or Phytopthora root rot. The area around the tree should never be muddy, just slightly moist.
Avoid using large amounts of organic soil mix, compost or fertilizer. This will create an artificial growing environment. You can start fertilizing the tree a year after planting[5] X Research source If you are planting multiple trees, they need to be at least three feet apart, and up to 28 feet (8. 5 m) for larger varieties. Otherwise, they will compete for nutrients in the surrounding soil.
Olive trees are quite tough, so they do not normally require any special care or watering during the colder months. However, if the climate in your area is very dry, water them as normal to maintain moisture in the upper levels of the soil.
