Esqueje de olivo: todo lo que debes saber para crear tu propio árbol

The poet José Martí said that there are three things that every person should do during their life: plant a tree, have a child and write a book. At Hacienda Guzmán we want you to meet your goals and in this post we help you create your own plant offspring - the literary and the human one, we better leave it in your hands. Discover how to turn an olive cutting into a wonderful adult specimen.

What is a cutting?

Before getting to work, you should know what a cutting is. According to the dictionary, it is a “stem, branch or shoot of a plant that is grafted onto another or inserted into the ground to multiply the plant.” Therefore, Cutting is a plant reproduction technique. Specifically, it is what is known as asexual reproduction, since it is not carried out through fertilization.

To achieve vegetative multiplication you can use different types of cuttings: shoots, young branches, semi-lignified branches or lignified branches, also known as cuttings. The latter are the most used method in the case of the olive grove.

What are cuttings used for in the olive grove?

Thanks to this controlled reproduction, farmers can multiply those specimens that have better performance or generate higher quality olives, gradually perfecting its exploitation. In other words, they are capable of “clone” specimens with the same varietal identity and characteristics. Hence, it is a system used by olive oil producers to improve the harvest and achieve greater profitability.

Nevertheless, It is also common to use cuttings in cases of small-scale gardening.. For example, you can create a unique bonsai for your home from an olive cutting or enrich your garden with this very special tree of ours.

When are olive cuttings made?

Currently It is possible to make an olive cutting at any time of the year, thanks to the reproductive capacity of this tree, with numerous dormant buds, and the modernization of planting techniques.

However, as we told you, the most common method in the case of olive groves is reproduction with cuttings. As a consequence, as they are woody branches, the best time to make an olive cutting is when the tree is dormant, that is, during the winter. This will be at the end of December or January in warmer climates or around February if you live somewhere with more adverse weather.  

How to make an olive cutting?

Would you like to try creating your own olive tree? In that case, we explain how to do it from an olive cutting. Here is a decalogue to grow your olive clone:

1. It is important that the matrix be a healthy specimen and is in the growth phase.
2. As a preparatory phase for the “mother”, if you can, Do not fertilize the tree for a week and water it abundantly a couple of hours before removing the stake.
3. Which branch to choose? Look at the ones that grow from vertically and are strong and straight, with a thickness of between 1.5 and 2.5 centimeters. A clue? The most suitable ones are usually located at the base of the trunk, such as braces or suckers.  
4. Carefully cut or tear a stem between 10 and 20 centimeters in length and eliminate the leaves at the base, but keep the middle and tip ones.
5. If you are not going to plant it immediately, keep it in water.
6. For the plantation, carefully scrape the stem bottom that you are going to introduce into the ground and place it at a depth of 3 to 4 centimeters.
7. In the ground or in a pot? It doesn't matter. Of course, if it is on the ground, it must have a good drainage. If it is a pot, it should be large, with a water outlet and a good bottom for root development.
8. To help make cloning a success, get a specific substrate for cuttings, rooting hormone and fungicides. You can find them in garden stores without problem.
9. You must ensure that the olive cutting has a proper hydration and receive direct light. This means that the substrate is always moist, but without waterlogging. Thus, it is advisable to mist it daily so that the soil stays hydrated, but it will depend on the atmospheric conditions.
10. If you have followed the steps correctly and Nature does not say otherwise, About 3 or 4 weeks later, the olive cutting will root, getting your new tree.

Do you want to know more about reproduction by olive cutting, in particular, and the olive sector, in general? Nothing better than a oil tourism route through Hacienda Guzmán to delve deeper into the olive and EVOO world. Through a pleasant visit to our La Rinconada farm you will learn about the culture, history and traditions linked to the olive sector, from how our organic olive trees are grown to how to taste a good extra virgin olive oil. Choose your itinerary and come meet us!