Shohin olive ground-layer

About a year ago I received a small olive with an unusual feature – the lower part of the trunk didn’t seem to be alive. The tree continued to grow, but slowly.

An even bigger problem was that the trunk swelled a couple of inches above the roots making the tree a poor candidate for bonsai in its current state. Fortunately, unusual swelling in the trunk or uneven taper isn’t necessarily a problem for olive bonsai.

Because I had nothing to lose, I started an ground layer in July. I marked the position on the trunk where I wanted roots to grow.

Line marking the spot where I wanted roots to grow

Unattractive swelling on the trunk

Once I knew where I wanted the new roots, I carved away a 1/2″ strip of bark just below the line all the way around the trunk.

After removing the bark below the line

Ground layer ready for planting

I dusted the cut area with powdered root hormone, wrapped it with moistened moss (white sphagnum moss), and planted the tree in a pot deep enough to cover the moss with soil.

Within weeks, new growth appeared all over the tree.

Olive in a deep ceramic container

I took a peek this week to see if any roots were growing and there were several everywhere I looked.

New roots

Olives respond best to pruning and repotting when the weather is warm so I’ll leave the tree alone until next spring when I plan to saw off the lower trunk. This will give the roots more time to grow over the remainder of fall and likely a bit through winter which will help the tree get off to a good start next year.

Close up of the trunk

If the tree grows well after separating the layer, I’ll start looking out for olives with flaws that have potential as ground layers (or air layers).

News & Updates

• The 2nd Pacific Bonsai Expo is less than one month away! Get your tickets now, sign up to volunteer, and save up for the 50+ vendors aiming to provide a superior bonsai shopping experience. Learn more at pacificbonsaiexpo.org
• I’m holding a bonsai pre-sale ahead of the Expo that’s on now. In-person sales only. Take a peek here.
  More trees will be available at the Expo, including a batch of 10 year-old pines and select trees from my collection.
• The Winter Silhouette Bonsai Show in Kannapolis, North Carolina, will be held on December 7-8, 2024. Come to see a great show, shop with over 35 vendors, and enjoy headliners William N. Valavanis, Tyler Sherrod, Rodney Clemons, and Mark Comstock who will provide demonstrations throughout the weekend. Learn more at the event website.