Description
The Leccino olive tree is known for producing small to medium-sized olives with a mild, fruity flavour. It grows more like a tree than a bush and has a dense canopy.
Harvested before the fruit is ripe, it produces an excellent quality extra virgin olive oil with a delicate, sweet, fruity flavour. It is also often used for table olives.
The Luccino Olive Tree is self-sterile and needs to cross-pollinate with the Frantoio Olive Tree.
Position:
Leccino olives are typically grown in regions with a Mediterranean climate, as olives thrive in such conditions. It can tolerate cold weather and prefers milder heat than the Spanish Olive cultivars.
To bear fruit, they need a two-month dormancy period of cool weather. The Leccino olive tolerates cold better than most olive cultivars.
They do not enjoy humidity and grow best in regions with hot, dry summers and mild but cool winters.
Full sun. At least 8 hours a day.
Size:
Olive trees can grow up to 6 metres in height. The Leccino Olive grows more like a tree than a bush, up to 6 metres in height, and has a dense canopy.
Soil Type:
Dry, clayey, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 – 6.0) is ideal for olive trees. An excellent organic compost mix to enrich the soil is necessary. Well-draining soil is essential for olive trees.
Mulch:
An organic mulch around the tree’s base helps conserve soil moisture and inhibit weed growth.
Watering:
Water regularly, especially during the growing season, as this will improve flowering and fruit development.
Fertilising:
Use a well-balanced fertiliser with at least a 10% nitrogen content. Our all purpose slow-release Berry/All-plant Fertiliser is ideal. Its a complete balanced fertiliser. You cannot over fertilise as the nutrients are absorbed by the plant when required.
Pruning:
Olive trees produce fruit on the previous year’s branches. Obviously, dead and dried branches need to be cut away. Prune lightly to open the canopy.
Harvesting:
If harvested before the fruit is ripe, it produces an excellent quality extra virgin olive oil with a delicate, sweet, fruity flavour.
Pests & Diseases:
The Leccino olive tree is immune to the most common diseases.
