Ausbonsai Comunity Olive Dig and Demo with Don Deluca

[SteveW]

Here's a pic of one of the Yanco olives. Leaves are about 2cm long.

Olive shari_small file.JPG

And here are its friends, freshly plucked. The big ones had 30cm diameter bases.

A trailer load of olives_small file.JPG

Visit dugzbonsai.com to see how to chop the base and grow it on.

[Jarrod]

Sorry mate but I'm not sure 2cm leaves are all that small?? Anyone else agree?

Awesome haul though!!

[Bretts]

Hey Jarrod, Maybe Steve is just posting pics of Olive leaves for reference. I would be looking for any excuse to show that haul off

I agree Chris it would be great to get a picture of this dammed small leaf at least!. I have a bubble leaf olive from Ray which sounds similar but from what I gather that is also different to what Don suggests?

[Jarrod]

Hey Jarrod, Maybe Steve is just posting pics of Olive leaves for reference. I would be looking for any excuse to show that haul off

read the second last post on the previous page

I agree awesome haul!

[Bretts]

Yep Jarrod I understand where ya comming from I was just thinking being only the guys third post it could easily be a misunderstanding either way because he does not actually say they are small leaves. It was just a thought thats all
Wonder if Steve will tell us where he got them he is an Aussie hey? (can't se when posting )

[Chris]

Okay i went driving to a mates yesterday and found this

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there a a few of these about the place

still no pics of the allusive small leaf

[Bretts]

I reckon that could be it Chris! When I mentioned the Bubble leaf olive to Don he was optimistic it was similar but some how that was not it. He never really siad how it was different though. This looks very similar to the bubble leaf olive yet is different again so maybe this is it

[Chris]

Okay so no takers with the pic but i seem to have found somthing growing in my garden

now i know it's not tiny but is this a bigger version of a bubble leaf ?????

IMGP1218.JPG

[Chris]

Because if it is and don likes it im sure i can bring it with me to the dig

IMGP1222.JPG

[Bretts]

Thanks for the effort in this Chris
If you can get one of the ones like at your mates place I would encourage you to bring both types along and see what Don has to say it is sure to be an Olive fest
I will take a picture of the bubble leaf olive I have. Is only a small one and has not grown much for me. I recently repotted it into Akadama as the medium it was in was not doing wonders. Hasn't woken up yet might have to wait for things to warm up again

[Chris]

i would put that tree back in some dirt Brett pure earth it will pop faster than you think

[Bretts]

This is my plan for the moment Chris from Brent Waltsons site i have to let it go and see how it goes

For bonsai, the weak point of olive is cold tolerance, because it produces many fine roots that do not withstand protracted frosts. Leaves bear temperatures between 6 or 8C (43 or 46F), in colder zones it is better to cover soil with mulch or put it in an unheated garage. For soil, use 1 part Akadama, 1 part sand, 1 part peat. Also acceptable is 1 part sand, 1 part leave mold, 1 part peat. It is also desireable to add some form of limestone (Dolomite for example). The soil must be porous and be able to retain moisture.

http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/olive.htm

[Chris]

the pic i posted tonight shows an olive popping with one week to go before winter

[Bretts]

Ive had heaps of succers popping non stop all over the trunk of my bigger one but not much obvious growth on the branches and leader Maybe I was not quick enough removing them only once a week . I guess the branches are growing as the wire needed removing not long after it was applied. Both are in an akadama mix as per above article. Can't try all advice at once I will have to see how they go

[MattA]

WOOHOO 4 weeks till the dig. I am getting psyched up & cant wait to dig my first olives. Looking forward to meeting all the Ausbonai folk that will be heading to Hay and learning a thing or 3 from Don.

Matt