Continuous flowering, nascent fruit, and constant monitoring
In May, the olive grove enters full bloom, with the first visible fruits, marking a decisive moment in the cycle. Despite these good prospects, the physiological drop in June can still reduce the quantity of fruit. It is recommended not to intervene with the plant, but to manage the soil to conserve water.
In addition, monitoring for pest insects such as the olive fly is intensified.After April, marked by inflorescence formation, May brings us to the full bloom of the olive tree. This moment marks a before and after in the annual production cycle, as the first set fruits begin to be observed, a decisive step in the evolution towards the future harvest.
Flowering by zone: A staggered progression
Current data from the region shows a clear pattern: flowering has followed a staggered development according to altitude. In warmer, lower areas, flowering may be in its final phase as early as the end of April. In contrast, in mountainous, colder, and higher areas, the first flowers will not appear until early May, and flowering is expected to continue until the end of the same month.
The June Challenge: Physiological Fruit Drop
Despite these good indicators, not everything is assured. May is only the prelude to one of the most decisive natural processes in the olive grove: the physiological fruit drop, also known as "Saint John's drop", which occurs in June.During this phenomenon, the olive tree sheds a portion of the fruits it cannot sustain with its reserves and its ability to absorb water and nutrients. If the number of fruits exceeds what the tree can maintain without compromising its health, the olive tree performs a "natural selection" by eliminating those that cannot develop properly. Therefore, even if the initial fruit set is high, the quantity of fruits that will reach harvest is still uncertain.
Agronomic management: minimal intervention on the plant, maximum attention to the soil
During this critical phase, it is recommended to intervene as little as possible with the plant. Flowering and fruit set are physiologically delicate processes, and foliar applications should only be carried out if there are specific phytosanitary problems that justify them. The ideal is to allow the olive tree to complete this process naturally, without chemical alterations.Instead, it is time to act on the plant cover. The high temperatures of the coming months will make water an even more precious resource. Weeds directly compete with the olive tree for soil moisture, so it is recommended to clear brush and curb the development of spontaneous vegetation. This will help conserve as much water as possible for the tree at a stage where every drop counts.
