[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Email this storyEmail this page Print-friendy versionPrint-friendly

Totally Practical: Grafting Olives


Olive trees are often surrounded by a forest of seedlings which are not difficult to transplant and get going. The downside is that any fruit from these free trees is likely to be small, with flesh somewhere between poor and inedible. However, by grafting a piece from a known variety with good qualities such as Olive, Olea europaea 'Sevillano', it is possible to exactly reproduce those good features.

Timing is critical - grafting should take place in the middle of summer when the tree is in a growth phase. A small twig, called a 'scion', from the desired variety of olive is trimmed at the base and the foliage removed. The seedling, or understock, as it is known, is cut off cleanly at a low level. A vertical cut in the understock then allows the scion to be inserted beneath the bark, or cambium layer. Trim the end of the scion at an angle to allow it to be inserted into the cut on the stock. It is critical that the inner bark lines up on both parts of the graft because this is where the bonding takes place. The sap will flow through this point from the stock into the scion.

To hold this together until the stock and the scion grow as one, bind the graft with soft plastic tape. Grafting wax is applied to the cut to stop any sap loss. The wax will set quickly and it won't burn the bark. Finally, to stop the stem and foliage from losing any more moisture, cover the whole graft with a small plastic bag, just for a few days, leaving the bottom open to allow the air to flow freely.

If all goes well, new growth on the scion will indicate that the graft is successful. The tree will be a biological copy of the variety that supplied your scion wood and its fruit will be vastly superior to any produced by the original olive seedling.


About Us | Contact Us
Fact Sheet Advice
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
ABC Online Home
© 2014 ABC | Privacy Policy
[an error occurred while processing this directive]