Sunlight

Make sure your tree gets 4-8 hours of sun each day. Put it close to a window that faces south if it’s inside or in a spot with lots of sunlight if it’s outside.

Watering

Give your olive tree water once or twice a week - based on the weather and how dry the soil is. Touch the soil to check its wetness; water when the top 1 to 2 inches are dry.

Soil

Pick soil that drains well. A mix of dirt for pots and small stones or perlite works best. This helps get rid of extra water fas - stopping root rot.

Potting

If your tree is potted, select one that’s 1.5-2 times broader than the tree’s initial pot. Make sure the pot lets water out through holes.

Feeding

Feed your tree twice every year with food that’s rich in nitrogen. A slow-feed kind is best for steady feeding.

Pruning

Cut your tree to keep it shaped and healthy in the early spring. Cut off any dead or too-close branches. Aim to keep three to four main branches for more fruit.

Pollination

If your tree is inside, you might need to help with pollination. Do this by lightly brushing between flowers to move pollen around.

Winter Care

If it gets cold where you live and your tree sits in a pot, move it indoors ahead of the first freeze to shield it from the cold.

Upon Arrival

When your olive tree arrives - give it a good soak. This helps fix any root or soil issues from its trip. For the next few days, watch the soil to make sure it moist, not too soaked.

During the First Year

Water your tree once or twice a week - based on the weather. You might need to do it more when it’s really hot and dry. Always feel the soil near the tree’s base, about a finger’s length down, before watering. If it’s dry there - water now. Ensure water reaches far down to boost root strength and depth.

After the First Year

Your tree will get tougher and won’t need as much water. But make sure when you do water it, you do it deeply. Keep checking the soil’s dampness and change how much you water based on the weather and season. In a damp area or season, you may not need to water so often. Adding mulch near the bottom helps hold the dirt wet and reduces the need for water.

Upon Arrival

Don’t feed your Arbequina Olive Tree right when it arrives. Give it about a month to get used to its new spot before adding any food. Feeding it too soon can stress it out.

During the First Year

After waiting a month post-planting, it’s time for a slow-release food that’s rich in nitrogen, something like 17-6-10. Spread this food around the base, reaching to where rain drips off its leaves but keep it away from the trunk. Do this every three months for the first year to help it settle in. Always water well after feeding to make sure the food mixes into the ground.

After the First Year

When your tree gets older, you can cut back on feeding to just twice a year — when spring starts and again in mid-summer. You can stick with the high-nitrogen mix or try something with more phosphorus if your aim is more fruit. Apply it just like in year one, paying attention to spread it around the drip line and avoiding the trunk. Watch how your tree is doing. Bright leaves and new branches mean your feeding plan is on point. Adjust it if you see yellow leaves or poor growth.

Required Tools

Sharp pruners, big clippers for thick branches, and gloves to keep hands safe.

General Pruning Tips

Prune when it’s late winter or the start of spring before the tree starts to grow. Make your tools clean with alcohol or a bleach mix to stop disease spread.

Pruning Steps

First, get rid of any branches that are dead, broken, or sick. You can spot these by their dry look or different color. Cut near the trunk or main branch, but not into the trunk or the bump where the branch meets the trunk. Look for spots where branches pack too tight, blocking light and air. Take out some small branches to let light and air in. This lowers disease risk and makes the tree structure better.

Think about how you want your tree to look. Arbequina Olive Trees are kept tight and bushy. Cut outer branches to keep the shape and size you like. Cut back to a branch or bud that points where you want new growth to head. Thin out young branches that don’t fruit to send more energy to those that do.

This thinning helps with light and air, making for more and healthier fruits. Clean up all the cut branches and leaves to keep pests and diseases away. Toss or compost these bits, especially if they’re sick.

Aftercare

Water the tree well after you cut it to help it heal and close up cuts. Keep an eye on the tree for fresh growth, then decide if you should trim more as it grows.

What is the best location to plant an Arbequina Olive Tree?

Place the Arbequina Olive Tree in a spot where it can enjoy the sun for 4-8 hours each day. It thrives indoors close to a bright window or outdoors in the garden.

When to water your olive tree?

Water it once or twice a week, checking how warm your place is and how fast the soil dries. Be sure the top 1-2 inches of earth are dry before you water once more.

What the best type of soil for this olive tree?

This tree favors well-draining dirt, like sand or rocks. You can mix in some perlite or small stones with regular garden soil to help water flow better.

How do I fertilize the Arbequina Olive Tree?

Apply a slow-acting, high-nitrogen food mix, with a ratio of 17-6-10, one month post planting, then every three months in the first year. After that - cut back to just twice a year.

When and how should I prune my tree?

Cut in late winter or early spring - before new growth starts. Remove dead or bad-looking branches, thin out crowded spots, and shape to maintain health and size.

Can the Arbequina Olive Tree be grown indoors?

You can cultivate it indoors if you position it near a bright spot, like a south-facing window.

What are the benefits of growing an Arbequina Olive Tree?

An Arbequina Olive Tree gives you a lovely tree with hanging branches and pale green leaves, and it bears delicious olives good for eating or oil-making, making it appealing and practical.