Critical moment: Olive sprouting

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Between February and May, depending on the winter temperatures to which the olive tree is subjected, the sprouting of the flower buds occurs and the most important flux of vegetative growth of the year happens.

From this moment, the reserve of nutrients, both mineral and organic, migrates from the adult leaves and bark to the buds.

Throughout the spring, the process continues, and the inflorescences and new vegetative shoots develop at the expense of the elaborated sap (phloem), so with a foliar application of nutrients at this fenological state, we enter directly into this metabolic circuit, having a very important response to the development of inflorescences and buds, since these developing structures receive few nutrients quantitatively from the root.

1- Sprout in bud with autumn copper. Picolimón
2- Bud sprouting with autumn copper
3- Bud sprouting buds 5mm

It is a fundamental productive pillar that the olive shoot is as long as possible, as this ensures good nutrition of the olives in the final phase of autumn development, as well as a good return flowering.

With this foliar application of nutrients we are helping the olive tree , in these critical moments, avoiding any lack of nutrients, so we are avoiding the years off. The olive tree has the strength to develop both vegetative and reproductive structures. But, of course, foliar applications have to be a part of our nutritional plan and soil management. They have to be part of an holistic plan.

Similarly, at these times, temperatures and humidity are very conducive to the development of foliar fungi such as peacock spot, making it a key moment to act with fungicides, whether they are eradicative or preventive.