Hello hello

olivetree · White Belt Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 3

Hi to everyone.
I just signed up in hope to become a bonsai enthusiast... I purchased an olive tree a few days ago. But I'm not sure if it is or will become a good bonsai. I have little knowledge about bonsai... Other than what I have read on the net. I will post a pic soon. I am going to a bookstore today to find some good reading material. I haven't done much to it. just changed the pot. Kept some of the original soil (very clay like) and added new potting soil... I don't know much about soil either.

Any suggestions about the soil? I am worried that the clay like soil will not be good...

ciao for now...
olivetree

Stymie · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: Hello hello

Nice to hear from Greece, welcome. Olives have a reputation for growing quickly in your area and should do well. Your suspicions of the clay are well founded. The growing medium should be free-draining and alternate day watering is recommended.. The only problem that I foresee is that the moisture will pass quickly through the new soil and by-pass the old, which has been left behind. In this case it might be a good idea to submerge the pot from time to time, making sure that the whole rootball receives moisture. Come back with your picture and any specific questions.

Dick · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:52 am Post subject: Re: Hello hello

Check out the A-Z forum under Olive for some very specific information.

Regarding your soil, by adding plain potting soil, you may have made it too dense for a bonsai tree. The soil should be freely draining so that it is never waterlogged. Otherwise it will contribute to rotting the roots. You may need to repot your tree in the spring.

olivetree · White Belt Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 3

Thanks for getting back to me...

I tried to find a way to post the picture but had no luck... Do I have to be a paying member to do this?

Also I can't see the A-Z section Dick... again no pay no see!!!!

I am considering to become a member in the near future though.

So I should let the olive tree stay in the pot as is for now, taking care of it's watering needs and then repot in spring? Should I repot now maybe?

I will be back with other questions I am sure!!!

Thanks again!
Olivetree Smile

Dick · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: Hello hello

It may be too late in the season for most trees, but since the olive is semi-tropical, it might be possible to repot now based upon the length of the growing season remaining.

And yes, you do have to be a registered member in order to see all of this website. For the small amount charged, the photos posted, the discussions that are more pointed in nature, etc., it's well worth the fee. I recommend it highly and that you do it now rather than wait. We have a great help line goingher and it will benefit you, I'm sure.

olivetree · White Belt Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 3

Hello again and thanks for taking time to help me out...

I was hanging out with a friend on the balcony yesterday evening and I was looking at the olive tree... I think I decided what to do with it. I will trunk chop it to shorten it and thus make the trunk look thicker in regards to the height. I will sit and measure and calculate where to chop it... I have been reading the the trunk height should be about 5 times the trunk thickness. Plus chop an extra inch higher to let it die back. Is this correct?

What would be a good time to do this? Maybe early autumn? Isn't that when olive trees start growth?

What I want to achieve is branches that will have shorter internodes to make it look correct. Is there a way I can restrict the size of the leaves? So that they don't grow out of proportion?

I would really be interested in your feedback. If you would like I could email a pic of the tree so you could see what it looks like.

As for signing up to this site, I think I will, but I don't have a credit card... I despise them to be honest. But maybe I'll get a debit card to do so.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Olivetree

Dick · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: Hello hello

If you could post a photo of your tree to another website and give us the URL , then we could see the tree and give you better input on your idea to trunk chop. One caution, if you have never done a trunk chop, there are some things to watch out for, one of them being that the new branches do not always form in the places that you want them to be on the stump of the trunk.