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Olive Tree (Olea europaea) - Page 2 |
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Aracaria References: |
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 plant as olive trees do not graft well. Planting a mixture of varieties on the same field is a method of producing interesting olive oil. Crushing and pressing the different varieties, each at a different stage of ripeness, together makes for a far better oil. The best way of choosing varieties is to sample olive oils that are grown in the area and work backwards from there. - Planting Density: It is possible to plant between 100 and 200 trees per acre, depending on intensity of mechanical farming. If trees are planted 20 feet apart and rows are 20 apart, 100 trees per acre are required. An economic oil production starts at 5 acres. - Irrigation: Drip irrigation will improve growth and yield. Important to water near the drip line of each tree. NOT at the trunk as it will develop crown rot and die. - Fertilizing: Nitrogen is the main need and should be applied around the drip line in late winter. Foliar sprays should not be necessary. - Pruning: The trees will require pruning as they mature, both for structural reasons (to ensure a strong tree) and for bearing reasons (to keep light flowing to the bearing branches on both sides of the tree). Since olives bear on last year's growth, pruning involves a delicate balance between this year's crop (and income) and next. - Pests: Olive Fly (Bactrocera (Dacus) Oleae) and olive knot - not currently found in New Zealand and Australian olives. Also: verticillium wilt, Peacock Spot (Cycloconium oleaginum or Spilocaea oleaginea), - Budget: Approximate cost of planting 100 trees, labor, soil preparation, irrigation etc AU$5.000. 100 trees (average $8.00) $800. Maintenance cost per year$2.000. Cost estimate over a four year period: $14.000. - Harvest: A small crop will appear after 4 years and growing over the next 6, topping at 3 - tons of fruit per acre. Hand harvesting requires about 15 experiences workers that can harvest about 2 tons a day. Pollinators: The majority of olive cultivars are self fertile and therefore do not need cross-pollination by other cultivars. However, a number of sources recommend pollinators to increase the yields of certain cultivars. Most researchers are now recommending that growers plant at least three olive varieties in close proximity in their groves to ensure some cross-pollination. - Soil pH: best 7.0 - 8.0. Add lime if soil is too acidic. Olives prefer alkaline soils. - Crusher Dust - olives respond to adding blue metal dust to soil. |
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 OTHER VARIETIES TO BE CONSIDERED Barouni, Correggiola, Koroneiki, Pivholine, UC13A6, Neadillo Blanco, Nab Tamri, Coratina |
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