Why are my new Arbequina olive trees dying? Trees were 2 years old, transferred

1. 95

   alexadryposted 11 years ago

   Why are my new Arbequina olive trees dying? Trees were 2 years old, transferred from vases to soil.
   
   We live in Arizona. Gardener who planted them told us to water them once a week with a bucket of water  Now all trees have more brown leaves, than green. We did have 3 days with frost temperatures in the night around 20 degrees. Another frost expect tomorrow around 20 degrees in the night.  I asked others and they told me it's unlikely the frost is killing them but lack of water! We watered them tonight, which is three days earlier than what the gardener recommended, but I am afraid it might be too late. Advice highly appreciated.
   
   

   replyreport
2. 71

   Mike Indiaposted 11 years ago

   Traditionally we know that olive trees will grow between latitudes of 35 to 40 degrees. Mild winters is a must, as olive trees are vulnerable in freezing temperatures. While too hot weather will "burn" them. What I did to my olive trees (200 of them), when they were young, I used to cover the whole tree -one by one- with a plastic transparent foil during the winter time, although I was on 41 latitude (slightly above the maximum permitted).
   I do not know your exact latitude, but I understand that you have some cold nights there. So the solution is to cover your trees, individually with transparent plastic bags. (If they are still alive)

   replyreport
   1. 95

      alexadryposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I might go ahead and cover them tomorrow night. We have like 65 degrees in the day and then the next day 45 and then freezing in the night. I don't have plastic foil, but bubble wrap, wonder if that will work? can they still breath with the plastic?

      replyreport
   2. 71

      Mike Indiaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      bubble rap may do the job, but why you do not try the polybags that they use at the cleaners for suits- it is better for sun-rays. The tree will breath from the bottom, as you pull the bag over the tree you do not seal it at the bottom so it breaths

      replyreport
   3. 95

      alexadryposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, I will try those polybags. your help is really appreciated. I really hope they make it! will post updates.

      replyreport
   4. 71

      Mike Indiaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Be extremely careful with dog urine- just realized that you have dogs. They will kill olive trees. good luck

      replyreport
   5. 94

      OldRosesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Don't use plastic or foil.  It doesn't breathe.  Use cloth or burlap or straw.  Old bed sheets or blankets work great.

      replyreport
   6. 71

      Mike Indiaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I tried plastic foil for 3 years in a row and it worked fine- The tree will breath from below, as you do not wrap it, it is open, it works like a personal greenhouse for the individual tree.

      replyreport