Mediterranean bonsai

These are typical Mediterranean trees, they live better outside because they need both the sun and the cold to produce fruit. Most are grown in our fields in Tarragona, the most representatives are: olives, citrus and apple.

Olea europaea

Family

Oleaceae

Origin

Mediterranean coast

Etymology

From the latin “Oleum”, oil.

Olea europaea

Characteristics

evergreen tree of slow but constant growth. Olive oil is obtained from the pressing of its fruits


Location

In Mediterranean climate zones: outside and exposed to the sun over the whole year. Outside of its natural climatic zone protect against extreme cold and principally from frost. Away from its natural climate always protect from extremely low temperatures and freezing conditions (temperatures below 0 º C. for more than 24 h). In warmer climates during winter, bonsai require a severe drop in temperature (between 5 and 7 º C)


Watering

The olive tree has a minimum consumption of water


Fertilization

From April to October

Re-potting

This tree grows very slowly and therefore the thickness of the trunk also increases slowly. If fertilizers and soil are adequate, the tree won’t need a transplanting for 3 or 5 years.

Pruning and pinching

Pruning

In march

Pinching

From April until October when the buds have about 7 or 8 pairs of leaves, pinch off 2 or 3 pairs of leaves.

Wiring

You can wire the whole year round if you want.


Curiosities

The olive tree is one the few trees which you can model in the majority of bonsai styles including those with dead wood. If you have the opportunity to visit us, only a few km from our installations you can see millenary olive trees like “lo Parot”, in Horta de Sant Joan.


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Olea europaea

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