On Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:34:09 +0000, Tricky2
wrote:


Saxman;774244 Wrote:
I have a hardy olive bush in the conservatory. It appears to be losing

a lot of leaves recently. Is this normal at this time of the year?

I have had a Olive bush now for 7 years and it has grown to quite a
size. It is kept all year round outside against a south facing wall. I
water it about once a month all year round. I renew the soil with multi
compost every spring and line the large pot it is in with polystyrene
foam to protect the roots in the winter. If we do get a hard frost I
then cover it with a fleece.

I have never had any problems with the leaves - it grows so well that I
have to trim it back each year to stop it becoming unmanageable.
However, we do live in Dorset and near the coast so we get the best of
the weather - when it finally arrives!

Mine has been outside, against a wall, for the last 4 winters and I
cover it with fleece in frosty weather.
When it was small I used to bring it in each winter. It usually lost
its leaves. It never does so outside.
I think it is the dry air indoors. You should find new buds showing
up the stems. Don't water it too much. They like dry soil, and
without leaves it needs even less.
Try spraying it with water, and start to get it aclimatised to
outdoors again once new growth starts.
It should be OK. The worst thing now would be overwatering.
If you leave it out next winter, try wrapping the outside of the pot
with bubble plastic to protect the roots, and the pot too if it is
ceramic.

Pam in Bristol