Olive

The European olive (lat. Olea europaea) is also known as the cultivated olive. It is an evergreen tree. It has been cultivated since ancient times for the purpose of obtaining olive oil.

The plant is native to the southeastern part of the Mediterranean. It is also called the Olive tree. The cultivation of the cultural form of olive is practiced in all Mediterranean states, including Abkhazia and the Black Sea coast of the Russian Federation. It was first grown in Greece.

The height of the shrub is 1-3 m. The trunk is covered with gray bark, usually it is curved. Another feature of this plant is its long, knobby branches.

Useful properties of olives. The ancient Greeks knew about the beneficial properties of the olive. Healing balms were made on its basis. It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Olive fruits are recommended for people who have been diagnosed with gastrointestinal diseases, suffering from increased blood pressure. This is an effective means of preventing atherosclerosis.

Olive leaves synthesize in large quantities phytoncides, which have the ability to change the biological properties of the tuberculosis pathogen, deform the bacillus beyond recognition, which is very significant in the therapeutic field.

The oil is used for colds, in the treatment of conjunctivitis, eczema. It dilates the bile ducts, preventing lead from retaining in the body. It can be used as an emetic for intoxication.

Olive oil helps well with the appearance of hard crusts on the surface of ulcers, it is lubricated with insect bites, bruises with abrasions.

But all of the above tips cannot be applied independently - this must be agreed with the attending physician.

Popular varieties. There are several varieties of homemade olive, the difference between them lies in the amount of oil contained. The most oily are ranked among the oilseed group.

Table fruits are eaten raw, canned or pickled.

Olives are grown both in nurseries and at home.

One of the most popular varieties is Crimean 172. It produces fruits up to 5 g. They are located singly, hang on long stalks, have a rounded shape, and have a characteristic black sheen.

Among other popular varieties, we note Nikitskaya 1, Revolution.

Olive Tree - Care

The olive needs proper care. Check out the main nuances of the content of such a plant before you buy it.

Lighting. Olive is a thermophilic plant that cannot stand shade. The pot with a tree is best placed on a windowsill.

Temperature. The tree is not afraid of frost, but prolonged frosts lead to its death. During the active growing season, it is desirable to maintain the temperature regime within +18 - +20 degrees. During the flowering stage, return frosts can negatively affect yields. A strong rise in temperature in combination with dry air is also harmful to the tree.

Watering. When growing an olive tree, it is necessary to moisturize the soil evenly. It is recommended to water the substrate on a regular basis in the spring and summer. In winter, the amount of watering is reduced. Moistening should be carried out as the substrate dries. Water preferably with soft warm water.

Air humidity. The plant is picky in this regard. In hot weather, it is desirable to increase the concentration of water in the air; for this, the olive is sprayed with water at room temperature.

Transferring olives. It is advisable to replant the olive every 2 years. It is advisable to do this by transshipping a lump of earth. Choose a pot that is the right size, preferably an earthen pot. This material allows the root system to breathe. Use a container 5-10 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.

When transplanting into the ground, you can add a little charcoal and pieces of brick.

Bloom. The olive blossoms in early spring - early summer. The flowers are yellowish-white in color, they are small and form clusters. Lilacs with jasmine also bloom. The aroma of the plant is very subtle, you can even call it exquisite. Flowering can last for several weeks.

A blossoming olive tree needs good lighting. During flowering, it is important to avoid waterlogging of the soil.

Pruning. The olive tree is pruned for decorative purposes. For this, a pruner is used, forming a ball of ideal shape with it.

Remove loose shoots and branches that are too long. Oliva tolerates pruning well. During one growing season, the tree gives good growth.

Top dressing. In the spring, top dressing is performed twice a month. It is best to use nitrogenous fertilizers. In the summer, mineral dressing is introduced. Some growers spray olive with succinic acid.

Major problems and pests. The most dangerous for the plant are black worms. The use of chemicals in large quantities is fraught with a decrease in the yield of the olive. Therefore, it is desirable to maintain the tree's immunity with organic and mineral means.

Parasites settle not only on diseased plants, but also on healthy ones. To combat them, insecticides are used, the crown is sprayed with them, the main thing is not to exceed the dosage.

Reproduction. An olive tree can be grown in three ways:

1. From the bone.

2. By grafting.

3. By cuttings.

The seeds are removed from fresh olives, preserved for this purpose are unsuitable. Heat treatment leads to the destruction of biological bonds in the seeds. The bones are soaked in a weakly concentrated alkaline solution for 12-14 hours. For the first planting, a container with a diameter of 10 cm is suitable. The first shoots should appear after 6-8 weeks.

It's easier to get an olive tree from a flower shop. Such plants have a compact but thick trunk. To obtain them, cuttings of adult olive trees are grafted onto sprouts that are grown from seeds. Fruits appear on such trees quickly enough.

In the case of cuttings, several thin branches are split off from the mother tree by an oblique cut. Their end parts are irrigated with a growth stimulant and cuttings are placed in a hole 10-12 cm deep into the soil. The capacity is required with a depth of 20 cm. It is recommended to create the effect of a greenhouse, cover the seedling with a transparent jar. The tree will harden for 4-5 weeks, this will be indicated by the appearance of young foliage.

It takes 3-4 months for the complete formation of the root system. The plant is then transplanted into a large container.

Interesting Facts. Many people, vacationing in Greece, bring an olive from there as a souvenir. Most of the olive trees are grown on the island of Crete. From here the olive is delivered to different countries of the world. Cretans live an average of 80 years. They associate their longevity with the fact that they regularly eat olives.

We advise you to buy an olive tree to enjoy its beauty at home and benefit from the fruits.