Overview
Olive Bonsai (Olea europaea) is a Mediterranean evergreen with silver-green leaves, rugged bark and excellent old-tree character. It is best suited to deadwood features, informal upright and exposed dry-climate styling. For UK growers, treat it as: Outdoor in mild UK areas with winter protection, or bright cool conservatory.
Placement
full sun and good airflow; protect from prolonged hard frost in a bonsai pot
Watering
allow the surface to dry slightly between thorough waterings; avoid constant wetness
Feeding and fertilising
feed through spring and summer; reduce in winter
Pruning and wiring
prune hard in warm active growth and refine shoots frequently; wire when branches are flexible
Repotting
repot every 3-4 years in spring with a gritty free-draining mix
Propagation
cuttings, air layers and collected old material
Pests, diseases and common issues
root rot in wet winters, scale insects and weak growth in low light