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how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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Posted by louiseathome Sth W NSW (My Page) on Sun, Mar 20, 05 at 22:34
we've got the most beautiful and abundant kalamata olive tree next to the house in innerwest Sydney, where I planted it about 10 years ago. Problem is that the roots are now properly uplifting the house, soooo...after strenuously defending my tree, I'm (sigh) resigned to the fact that it's gotta go....in fact I started hacking away at it yesterday, after a good 20is kg crop.
The good news is that while we haven't any room at all in Sydney, we have several acres in the Sthn tablelands, with a really different climate, where I'd absolutely LOVE to plant a small grove just for personal use you understand.
Can I take some cuttings from my tree and start them growing for the grove (love that word) down South. UM...some urgency as the home tree has to get cut down in the next few weeks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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I can't swear to it but I believe that Kalamata are notoriously difficult to grow from cuttings. They do best as grafts. But it's certainly worth taking 20 or so cuttings and giving it a go. You've got nothing to lose.
Have a look at the info in the link below. It's written for the northern hemisphere. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Olives
RE: how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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| I agree with Ray they are difficult, but not impossible. I got one cutting to grow from 6. Take quite a number of cuttings and see how you go...good luck |
RE: how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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Thanks ray and helen. I think I'll have a go at the 'rooted truncheon' method as shown in yr link ray. All the others sound far too scary for me. And I'm depending on a bit of beginners luck. I think I'll keep the experiment up in Sydney where its warmer until I think they can make a go of it down South. Any idea what sort of soil mix I shd use? And wd you cover with plastic to give a greenhouse effect?
Thanks so much
louise |
RE: how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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- Posted by pepino Werribee Vic (My Page) on
Mon, Mar 21, 05 at 1:23
Helen
What variety olive and time of the year did you do it. I did about 30 in January and none took. All were well watered and in the shade. I was told January was the time but for me it was no good. They came from a tree which was in it's growth stage. I was told it's the best time. Any tips? |
RE: how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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I would just use any good seed raising/cutting mix, but not a potting mix as they contain fertilisers. I think I would definitely go for the plastic cover/greenhouse effect as semi-hardwood cuttings like to be kept moist. Kept out of direct sun but in a well lit place should prevent them from overheating. If they start to sweat too much, prick a few holes in the plastic, otherwise you run the risk of encouraging fungal diseases.
Good luck with them and please let us know how it turns out.
BTW, your project sounds very exciting; Keep us posted on that too from time to time. Would love to hear how the regeneration goes. Have you heard of the keyline dam system? Might be worth considering in a drought prone area. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Keyline concepts
RE: how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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That's a great site Ray.
Louise I'll be really interested to hear how you go, I'm hoping to start some trees from cuttings in the spring. I've got access to lots of trees (no Kalamatas though) so I'm hoping that I'll get some success just through weight of numbers!
As far as propagation mix is concerned, make sure it is free draining, maybe mix some sand with it. I'm not sure I agree with Ray about the fertiliser though, the cuttings will be in the mix for a while so it may be needed. Perhaps others might have an aopinion.
Good luck & make sure you let us know how you go!
Sarah |
RE: how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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| pepino I got the kalamata cuttings in the middle of winter. steve turned up with them and I planted them...Actually I had two cuttings that took, but I got ill and they didnt get watered and one died. The other cuttings I have at the moment I took in January...They are in a mini green house and seem ok, so far |
RE: how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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- Posted by pepino Werribee Vic (My Page) on
Mon, Mar 21, 05 at 17:52
| I check out that site and it answers all my questions. Thanks. |
RE: how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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| Sarah, I believe the reason for not wanting fert in the mix is to encourage a larger root system. Once clearly established, you can always add liquid fert, but that shouldn't be necessary untill just before spring growth starts. I may be wrong. I frequently am. |
RE: how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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Since this message was posted I've looked at lots of sites on propagating olives & there seems to be a lot of conflicting advice. The only consistency seems to be that Kalamatas are hard to strike & for that reason are often grafted.
One good site I found recommended taking semi hardwood cuttings in summer & using a rooting hormone to get reasonable results. Well it's not really summer anymore but I think I'll take a few cuttings off my (very small) Kalamata & give it a go.
I shall be up at the farm again next month to help with the picking & am planning to bring back a whole heap of cuttings to try. |
RE: how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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| Hi there, knowing several people in the Heathcote (Victoria) area who grow olives commercialy, I have been told that unlike other varieties of olives which can grow and produce olives successfully from cuttings, Kalamata will strike from cuttings easy enough, but will not grow and develop an adequate root system resulting in problems years down the track. You will find that nurseries stocking olives trees will often have both grafted and non-grafted olive trees of the same variety, but not when it comes to Kalamata. |
RE: how to strike an olive tree from a cutting
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| Hi there, knowing several people in the Heathcote (Victoria) area who grow olives commercialy, I have been told that unlike other varieties of olives which can grow and produce olives successfully from cuttings, Kalamata will strike from cuttings easy enough, but will not grow and develop an adequate root system resulting in problems years down the track. You will find that nurseries stocking olives trees will often have both grafted and non-grafted olive trees of the same variety, but not when it comes to Kalamata. |
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