I am looking for an olive tree to give as a gift (to be an indoor plant) to someone who is on a local eating kick and increasing their stocks. I've been hunting for someone that ships to Canada, unfortunately what I've found is not a lot of people south of the border will ship to me here in Ontario. Someone suggessted driving to Seattle...I suspect this would be a better option if I lived in Vancouver. Does anyone have a sapling, seed, or know where I could get one around Toronto???? I've had a suggestion for a nursery but they sell only the Russian olive and I'm hoping to find something other than this - maybe Arbequina or Leccino. I'd appreciate any help with this. I had no idea this unique gift idea would require such a hunt. I suppose though seeing as we have a better climate for syrup, olives arn't a priority. Thanks for any tips!
oops...forgot to mention. Also, if anyone has any tips for starting from a pit (one that has not been in brine), I'm open to that too....though I know patience will be required for an actual productive tree.
Pit grown trees, if you ever get them to germinate, would be many years before fruiting. Much better getting one from cutting. Try, Tropic to Tropic plants in BC. (http://www.tropic.ca/) Ray usually sells and ships the 'Arbequina' olive. These trees are hardy here on the west coast and we grow them in our gardens. A nice tree that flowers profusely in late June or early July. Mine has just finished flowering and the fruit has set.
