November in the Olive Grove

​This is probably the most important month in the olive grove.  It’s all about flowering.
During the last few weeks you will have noticed small clusters of buds (inflorescence) appearing on your trees. The clusters will be on the growth from last year, not right at the tips of branches but tucked in the foliage.  The budding seems to be extensive this year right across Marlborough and growers are starting to get excited about what looks quite abundant.  

​When the daytime temperatures reach 18 degrees and above, flowering will begin. Little four petalled white flowers will open and pollen disperses around the grove, and probably the neighbourhood. It can be quite allergenic for some people so stock up on your antihistamines!!
Most olive trees are self-fertile but they do prefer to mix it up a bit with other neighbouring trees and probably improve the gene pool.  Wafting pollen on a gentle breeze is the ideal type of pollination not the howling nor’westers we tend to get in Spring so here’s hoping we’ve had our run of gale force winds.  

​A profusion of little white flowers is a great start to the season and always looks very hopeful but, ‘don’t count your olives’… just yet.  Following pollination the petals drop to reveal a developing fruit bud the tree will then perform a ‘sieve’ function only keeping the healthiest and strongest to develop and grow into olives.  Reality check… only 2% of flowers will actually develop into olives!!
Water is also crucial at this time.  The tree is busy with a lot of demands on it and that all requires a good nutrient distribution system, hence fluids coursing through the feeding systems.  If you irrigate make sure your trees are well watered.  If you rely on the heavens then keep your fingers crossed but don’t wish for too much as persistent rain at flowering will wash away that crucial pollen.
Grass and weed growth is very vigorous so keep on top of it and keep under your trees clear.  This is a time when the trees need all the nutrition they can get and weeds and grass competing for essentials will disadvantage your olive trees.
It’s still a good time to apply fertiliser and check on the general health of your trees.  They should be looking lush and fabulous, cloaked in their white blush of flowers.