The olive tree blossom occurs when the average temperature daily exceeds 18ºC this It usually happens between the months of May and June. Depending on the climatic conditions and the cultivation area, the flowering season of the olive tree can be advanced or delayed.
The olive tree flowers are located on the shoots of the previous year, the buds need to go through a phase of vegetative rest to be productive (average temperatures below 10 ºC).
The olive tree flower receives different names according to the geographical area. In Spain, the flowers of the olive tree are known by the following names: rapa, plot, sample and esquimo.
The olive tree, like other crops, has self-fertile and self-sterile varieties.
The varieties of self-fertile olives are better able to set and are self-sufficient. However, when the conditions are not favorable, the crossing of pollen between different varieties of olive trees favors a greater setting compared to that of monovarietal crops.
During olive tree flowering time, olive trees release a huge amount of pollen into the atmosphere. The wind is responsible for transporting pollen and is essential in the pollination of the olive tree. When olive pollen concentrations in the air are high, the appearance of allergies to the olive tree usually Be quite common.
Influence of climate and pests at olive tree blossom
Excessively high temperatures during olive tree blossom reduce the fertility of olive tree pollen. This negatively influences the fruit set. If during olive tree blossom there are intense and constant rains for several days, they wash the pollen and can reduce the harvest.
On the contrary, fresh and moist air favors that the pollen can move. By maintaining its ability to fertilize for a longer time, it drives a greater load of olive trees. The presence of water reserves in the soil also favors a better olive curd.
During the flowering of the olive tree, the antophageal generation of the prays or olive moth can damage some flowers. Damages are negligible when olive tree blossom is abundant.
The correct sanitary state of the olive trees favors the fruit set with an abundant flowering. The olive care ( subscriber, pruning, irrigation, control of pests and diseases...), are essential to obtain abundant crops.
Olive tree flowering time
In addition to the climate and the area of the olive tree, the olive tree flowering date also depends on the cultivated variety.
So we can find early flowering varieties (Itrana, Ocal, Farga), media (Sikitita, Lemon Peak, Picudo, Verdial) or late (Arbosana, Blanqueta, Ascolana Tenera).
Self-fertile olive varieties
If we want to carry out a plantation of monovarietal olive trees and we are in an isolated area of olive trees, the planting of self-fertile olive varieties is essential.
Arbequina (more planted olive tree in super high density), Hojiblanca, Picual, Cobrançosa, Lechin de Granada or Frantoio are recognized varieties that produce self-compatible pollen.
The usual in these olive classes is a low percentage of ovarian abortion.
Self-incompatible olive tree flowers
On the other hand, there are the self-sterile olive tree varieties, among them are Gordal Sevillana, Morisca, Morchiaio or Frangivento. Normally, these are olive varieties with a high ovarian abortion.
Other varieties are partially self-compatible by releasing olive pollen with poor fertility. Empeltre, Biancolilla, Villalonga or Picholine are demanding olive varieties with pollination.
Warning
We have translated the information on our website from Spanish to English. Note that some words may have seen their meaning altered during their translation.