What's going on with my olive?

Mike Corazzi

Mike Corazzi

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I was thinking of posting under "Fruiting" but it never does that.

Anyhow, some of the leaves are turning brown on the tips and some are just dying off.

I've had this tree since it was a slanted stick about 15 yrs ago and this is the first problem I've had with it.

Rightly or wrongly, I ...just... moved it from some pretty intense sun to where it gets plenty but not so intense.

Which may or may NOT be what's causing the problem. It's in a new yard this year and my rack is in way more sun than at the old place.

P1030946.JPG P1030947.JPG P1030948.JPG
 
I have seen this from time to time. Not sure what it is. I'll follow along to find out what people think.
 
When the tips turn yellow and then brown, it can be caused by too much water, so consider it.
 
I would check the roots. How long since it's been repotted? My suggestion would be to repot- now is a good time. It could be root bound. Over all looks pretty good so I wouldn't be too concerned.
 
This....may...... be related to an iron oversupply and/or low calcium. They like alkaline soil so throw some dolomite on it.. (that would solve both of these possibilities).
What is the pH of your water and/or mix. What fert do you use? (and how much?)
 
bonsaibp said:
I would check the roots. How long since it's been repotted? My suggestion would be to repot- now is a good time. It could be root bound. Over all looks pretty good so I wouldn't be too concerned.
Click to expand...
I repotted earlier into larger pot with more soil as the last pot was really too small and tended to root bind.
This tree throws out roots like nothing I've ever seen except maybe Chinese elm.
HOWEVER.... the soil NEAREST the trunk is not how I would like it to be. It's denser and stays wet longer than I'd like.
BUT it's the same soil near the trunk that has clung there for several years.
The "farther out roots are now in lava.

The years it was ...rootbound... "seemed" to pose no strange effects.


To Mike:

As to water pH, damned if I know.
And I use prinicipally Miracle Grow in a sort of light solution. 1 scoop per gallon. About once every 3 weeks to month.
Augmented with an "organic" stuff that we got as a promo at bonsai club. Smells like fish emulsion but has a way fancier name.
 
Hi Mike,
Did you take a look on the lower side of the leaves?
If you don't see any abnormality in the lower side, it is possible a sign of root tip burn due to lava rock combined with frequent chemical fertilizing!
Bonhe
 
Olive trees are usually in full sun. Even with 40ºC and hard water, mine never get brown tips.

If you recently change the location to more insolation, probably the leaves that begin to grown need to adapt to the new irradation. Just an idea...
 
milehigh_7 said:
@bonsaibp Bob, just to clarify early summer is okay to repot olives?
Click to expand...
I'm not Bob, but anytime the weather is hot and going to stay hot is a good time to repot an olive. I repot as soon as it gets hot, to get the most growth over the summer. Matter of fact, it's been so hot so early here this year, I'll be potting mine this week.
 
JudyB said:
I'm not Bob, but anytime the weather is hot and going to stay hot is a good time to repot an olive. I repot as soon as it gets hot, to get the most growth over the summer. Matter of fact, it's been so hot so early here this year, I'll be potting mine this week.
Click to expand...

JudyB, I'm gonna try and hope you are right.
I lifted it out of the pot with the gunky stuff that worried me still clinging to the poor roots and REPOTTED it.
I'm hoping this is a good thing.
I think it is, considering the appearance of the root ball. The roots were white but going duller.
It's throwing some new shoots and MOST of the leaves are nice and green but what I took OUT of the pot would in NO way be good for ANY tree.
It's setting deeper in the pot.
I can't even recall my "reasoning" for planting it a BIT higher this year. All I accomplished was to expose a lot of fine CLOSE hair roots to the drying air and sun.
I have it in the sun til about 1:00 PM when it shades over.
I also covered the lava with a small washcloth over the surface to help keep the roots a BIT cooler than the sun exposed ones until I see if this is going to still show nice new shoots.

I think it will as I have always considered this thing to be a pretty hardy WEED that has taken everything I've done to and with it.
We shall see.

It's predicted to stay warm for the near future so I hope the olive is happy about that.

I.....think..... I have potted this tree quite a few times over the years from spring to late summer and it has thrived.

TIL RIGHT NOW.
 
Saizan said:
Olive trees are usually in full sun. Even with 40ºC and hard water, mine never get brown tips.

If you recently change the location to more insolation, probably the leaves that begin to grown need to adapt to the new irradation. Just an idea...
Click to expand...
Yep, could EASILY be a factor.
 
bonhe said:
Hi Mike,
Did you take a look on the lower side of the leaves?
If you don't see any abnormality in the lower side, it is possible a sign of root tip burn due to lava rock combined with frequent chemical fertilizing!
Bonhe
Click to expand...

Are you an advocate of only ORGANIC fert?
 
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