Russian Olive Tree Bonsai
It is best to place the olive tree in a cold greenhouse which is kept frost free.
Russian olive tree bonsai. The olive bonsai needs a place with full sun which also helps to reduce the size of the leaves. Its name comes from its native region southern russia and the resemblance to the olive tree around the mediterranean. It is not deciduous but winter hardy. The leaves are a burnished silver color.
Sighting of olive tree bonsai always keep olives in full sun and a well aired or windy spot in the garden. Select a container for the young olive tree. The russian olive s capacity to overtake other plants is well documented. This is a rare silverberry russian olive from the west coast that will fruit with another tree of the same variety present.
Gift of melba tucker 1990. This bonsai with the right care will produce comparable sized edible olives during the early fall. Temperate broadleaf so you would winter it like a japanese maple or other deciduous tree. Many folk have assumed olives need heat in order to grow but this is significantly less important than bright light.
Specific bonsai care guidelines for the olive. Russian olive elaeagnus angustifolia exotic undesirable and regulated. As of mid 2014 the tree was classified as a noxious weed in colorado new mexico and connecticut where its growth is banned according to the usda natural resources conservation service. It can withstand temperatures slightly below 0 c 32 f but must be protected from stronger frost.
Tall shrubs or small trees with twigs that have white mealy hairs trichomes becomeing orange brown. The olive bonsai tree s soft and pliable wood makes it ideal for shaping and pruning. Slow growing and very well suited to bonsai culture. It competes with them for nutrients moisture and light.
Choose a plastic container over a clay one to promote consistent moisture levels. Name elaeagnus angustifolia family elaeagnaceae type shrub. Originally created from a 20 foot tree this bonsai achieves the look of great age in part through the hollowed out trunk which in nature usually indicates that the tree has lived a long time. There s potential here to defoliate for smaller foliage if you d like and the base of this tree is extraordinarily unique for a russian olive.
These interesting trees are fall flowering and the flowers are quite fragrant. Height 6 to 13 feet 2 to 4 meters exposure full sun part sun soil ordinary.