Overwatered Olive Tree

[richardandrewparedes]

Hi everyone! I ran into a problem with my olive tree. I seem to have overwatered my Sevillano olive tree. The main branch is still green but the leaves are turning brown and are curling. Can an overwatered olive tree still be saved? It has been a week since i watered it. I repotted it and removed the clay soil it was planted in and have used well draining loam soil. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Shibui]

Did we have a very similar thread before?

What makes you think this is from over watering? Over watering does not cause problems immediately. When the roots are wet with little air for months fungi can attack and kill the roots but that process usually takes many weeks.
If it has been in a well drained soil and has not been watered for a week it is far more likely to be getting a bit dry unless you re having lots of rain in Phillipines.
Olives sometimes drop some leaves after repotting but they usually sprout new shoots if given the chance.

If you are convinced the problem is over watering the solution is to reduce watering. Get the pot up off the ground so it will drain better. The only other option is to change the soil so it cannot stay too wet but you have already repotted once and have told us the soil is well drained.
There is really not much else to do except cross fingers and hope. Olives are tough and it is likely it can recover.

 

[richardandrewparedes]

Hi, thanks a lot. We are having a lot of rain in my area plus it was planted in heavy clay soil which does not drain well for months now. The soil is still a bit wet but am still monitoring it. I really hope it recovers soon.

 

[sorce]

Can we see the soil?

I've been thinking a lot lately about how clay holds root rot.

I think you're better off cleaning it all out.

Still unclear when it was repotted, and how long the new soil hasn't been watered and when the leaf problem began.

Sorce

 

[richardandrewparedes]

Hi. Here are the pics of the olive tree and the soil where i replanted it. The soil still seems to be a little wet but is now drying up. As for the leaves, they are turning brown but the main large branch is still yellowish green. I have stopped watering and would not do so until it dries up. Do i need to cut off the dying branches and leaves? Thanks a lot.

 

[Shibui]

The soil does look compact - not enough air spaces. Roots need air as much as water so we usually use soil with 6mm particles so that there is good room for the roots, water and air.
The dying parts will not hurt the tree if you leave them on. The dead leaves will eventually fall off. If it survives it should grow new shoots from the live parts. When you see the new shoots growing you can cut off any parts that are not still alive.
Some people do not like the look of dead on the tree so they cut off all dead looking parts. That does not seem to affect the chance of the tree growing new shoots so you can please yourself whether to cut or leave for now.

Fingers crossed for your tree.

 

[richardandrewparedes]

Hi Shibui. I actually added some lava rocks and pumice into the soil for good drainage. I really hope it recovers. Olive trees seem to be very hardy so I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope that it would recover soon. Am using products which promote root growth and prevent transplant shock. Thanks a lot