Have you bought an in vitro olive tree and don’t know how to transplant it properly?
In this guide, we explain step by step how to do it so your plant grows healthy, strong, and becomes a unique decorative piece — or even a beautiful bonsai.
Table of Contents
- 1. Prepare the Container and Substrate
- 2. Mix and Settle the Soil
- 3. Perform the Transplant
- 4. Create a Mini Greenhouse
- 5. Gradual Ventilation
1. Prepare the Container and Substrate
The first thing you need is a transparent container, either plastic or glass. Transparency allows more light to reach the roots, which is important at this initial stage.
Next, add some potting substrate, potting soil, or some type of organic soil.
Add a little water, just enough to moisten the substrate—don’t soak it!
2. Mix and Settle the Soil
Stir the substrate well with the water to create a homogeneous mixture, without compacting it too much.
3. Perform the Transplant
Make a hole in the center of the substrate.
Carefully remove the olive tree from the original container, taking care not to pull on the stem to avoid breaking it. Ideally, take out the entire plant with its roots.
Place it in the hole, making sure it is secure but not too tight.
4. Create a Mini Greenhouse
Since this is an in vitro olive tree, it needs to acclimate to the outside environment. To do this, cover the container with plastic wrap for one week. This creates a humid and protected environment to help with the transition.
5. Gradual Ventilation
After one week, start making small holes in the plastic wrap so the humidity can gradually regulate.
Begin with two holes and add two more each day until you reach about ten holes in total.
🔍 Observe your plant:
- If you notice it starting to dry out, it’s a sign that the transition was too fast.
- In that case, replace the plastic wrap with a new one without holes and try again more slowly.
✅ Final Tips
- Avoid direct sunlight during the first few days.
- Keep the substrate slightly moist at all times.
- Be patient: the adaptation process may vary depending on the environment.