Bonsai is an ancient Japanese tradition in which trees are artistically designed and dwarfed. Because of their robustness, olive trees are ideal for this art form.
How do I cultivate an olive tree as a bonsai?
To cultivate an olive tree as a bonsai, choose a young, robust tree, pay attention to optimal conditions such as sun, sandy soil and regular watering and fertilization. Shape the tree into the style you want using cuts and wires.
Choose olive tree for bonsai
If you would like to grow a bonsai yourself but are not yet very experienced in this area, an olive tree is exactly the right thing for you. The robust trees don't take too much offense at mistakes, and they sprout again quickly even after radical cuts. However, olives grow very slowly, so you should be patient when growing them or buy an older bonsai tree. A young tree that is just a few months old is best suited for growing your own bonsai. Alternatively, you can grow an olive tree yourself from a seed or cutting.
Make sure the keeping conditions are right
But don't underestimate the small bonsais: Just like their larger counterparts, they need optimal conditions in terms of soil, location and care. Olives - including bonsais - love the sun, require loose, sandy soil if possible and should be watered regularly. In contrast to normal olives, you should fertilize olive bonsai approximately every two to three weeks.
Training an olive tree into a bonsai
You can train a young olive tree to become a bonsai yourself, although you first have to decide on a specific style. Most olive bonsai are available in a so-called broom or upright shape, but basically almost all bonsai styles are possible. You train the tree into the desired shape using wires and cuts.
Classic Bonsai Styles
- Broom shape (Hokidachi)
- Strictly upright bonsai shape (Chokkan)
- Free upright form (Moyogi)
- Inclined bonsai shape (Shakkan)
- Cascade Bonsai (Kengai)
- Half-cascade bonsai (Han-kengai)
- Literati Bonsai (Bunjingi)
- Double trunk bonsai (Sokan)
- Multi-stem bonsai (Kabudachi)
- Forest Bonsai (Yose-ue)
Cutting and wiring olive bonsai
Young olive trees can first be wired to grow into the desired shape. You should only wire one-year-old shoots, as the risk of breakage is too high for older ones. Wrap the trunk, branches or twigs in a spiral with an aluminum wire (€12.00 on Amazon) and align it in the desired direction. The wire should not be too tight so that no traces can be seen on the tree later. In principle, you can wire and cut wires all year round. As a rule, olive trees do not mind even more radical cuts, but you should not overwhelm the tree. Make sure to leave three to four main shoots standing.
Tips & Tricks
It is best to prune your olive bonsai during the growing season, as cuts then heal faster and better. Make sure to treat cuts with antiseptic to prevent fungi from establishing themselves.