Standardize an Olive?

Hi all,

I have a tall young olive tree which i have decided to make into a standard tree and pot it.

Before i chop off the top 4 foot and cap it can anyone who knows about these things tell me how to do it properly?

Ta v. much :D

 

Paula, any chance of a photo so we can see what you are starting with? David.

 

David,

By all means, will do it now if the flash works on camera

 

David, here's the pic - i plonked it there because had nowhere to put it at the time :eek: it looks out of place hence the idea of standardizing it :D

 

I agree with you Paula. Don`t do anything yet though, wait until the plant is dormant then cut it back, you can see where it needs to be cut, about halfway between the top of the arch and the top of the stem. I would then cut the remaining sideshoots back to about 4 pairs of leaves from the stem. David.

 

Thanks David, i kind of forget about that part of the garden and anything i either dont want or can't place yet ends up there

 

It looks like a standard already to me, just perhaps needs to thicken up a bit in the head.

On second thoughts.

Plant it out Paula and let it do its stuff.
I hate those daft standard olives or bay trees you see outside restaurants.
They are usually only just surviving and look stupid.

 

It came over from Cyprus Pete,

I used to live over there when dad was in the forces, aGreek friend said her dad had imported some and gave it to me, it's 8ft tall and gettin on me nerves The only other thing i can think of doing is chopping it up and using it for kindling in the winter :D

 

Morning Paula. I only looked at this thread because I thought it was a new martini recipe. I'm going again. :eek:

 

Sarra,

I am embarrassed by the bloomin thing i tell you.

Sorry got ya under false pretenses, by the way i like mine stirred not shaken :D