Q&A for How to Grow an Olive Tree from a Pit

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  • Question
    Should I plant the olive seed in the same way if I want to bonsai it?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you can use the same process to start the seed, and cultivate it as a bonsai tree once it has sprouted.
  • Question
    About how much dirt does the pit need in the pot?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    When planting the olive pit, I recommend using a 6 inch pot full of potting mix.
  • Question
    How much water does a growing tree need?
    Community Answer
    Just make sure the top layer of the soil is always moist but not muddy. Constantly wet soil can lead to root rot and fungal infections and attacks on your tree. If you live in a hot dry climate, make sure you water regularly, and do not let the soil go dry.
  • Question
    Can I grow olives from jarred olives?
    Community Answer
    Yes, just make sure they have a pit (obviously) and make sure you follow the correct procedure as how to prepare, plant, and take care of your tree.
  • Question
    Is it possible to grow an olive tree in a tropical country like Indonesia?
    Community Answer
    It's not impossible, but it's unlikely that an olive tree would thrive due to the high humidity levels.
  • Question
    Community Answer
  • Question
    How do I germinate dried olives?
    Community Answer
    Its so difficult to germinate dried olives if the olives are already dried out. An olive seed takes approximately 40 days or longer to germinate, so keep the area watered and weeded while you wait. Whether seeds are in pots or in the ground, water them when the top 1 inch of soil dries out, applying enough water to moisten the seed. Once the seed sprouts, continue to water and clear away weeds. An olive tree needs about two months of temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit to bear fruit.
  • Question
    Why do the leaves first appear after you plant the seed?
    Community Answer
    Cotyledons are the first leaves to emerge from the soil when a plant germinates. Because they are part of the seed's embryo, they also are known as seed leaves, and provide nutrients to the seedling until its true leaves unfurl and begin the process of photosynthesis.
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