Olive Repot

Olive Re-pot 2018

I began an airlayer project and after a month decided that I would prefer a years worth of development on the chopped trunk over the development of a second tree.

It has warmed up, now that May is on the doorstep, so it is safe for the olive to live back outside.  Scale was a problem inside so hopefully having better conditions outside will help with the health of the tree.

Anyway, here is the cut part of the airlayer.  I cleaned up the bottom stub a bit more after taking this picture.  I was hopeful for roots but didn't want to risk damaging any development while investigating, so I cut away the tape and plastic and slip-potted it, leaving the sphagnum moss alone while filling in soil around it.  The pot was deep so it should be stable enough.  I'll see what happens...  

I sawed the two trunks.  Unfortunately, they are about the same height.  Ideally the thicker one would be taller, but I wanted to keep the branch near the cut on the thinner trunk.  In the future, perhaps, I can cut it closer to the branch or carve it out to help with the height issue.  I was hoping to be able to cut the thicker one a bit higher, but oh well.  

In the above image you can also make out where I made a couple cuts to remove some out of place roots.  Below is the other side.

Below is the tree potted up in a nice green pot.  This one has a drip tray that came with it that will be helpful next winter when this guy will have to come in again for the winter. 

Below is the tree with a 12 oz can for scale.