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<pre>I joined the Olive internet community very recently primarily because I am very
keen to grow
oil-producing olives on my farm in Pakistan. Over the past few weeks I have done
some research
on growing olive trees and have consequently become convinced that I could
introduce
commercially grown olives into my country.

The winter (late December/early January) temperatures around my farm hover
between a maximum
18C and a minimum of 4C on average. At times it can get colder. The climatic
conditions in parts of
Australia are probably not dissimilar to that of my farmland. During the peak
summer months the day
temperatures often stay above the 40C mark. A few days of Heat Wave can push it
above the 45C
level. Every five years or so we get can even get a couple of days above 50C.
Modern research
does seem indicate that high temperature and dry wind conditions are deleterious
to a good fruit set
in olives. As my land has a constant supply of water I would like to think –
though I could be wrong
- that regular irrigation could partly compensate for the fruit loss through hot
conditions.


As a complete novice I am all at sea about which varieties to aim for.
Obviously, if my plans are to
succeed the selection of two or three suitable varieties would be of the utmost
importance.
‘Olives Australia’ suggests in its web site that the cultivars that might be
most suitable for warm
areas include ‘Azapa, Barouni, Frantoio, Kalamata, Manzanillo & UC13A6’. I would
appreciate if
other expert growers could advise me on the subject. I imagine parts of the
Mediterranean have hot
climates as well (Tunisia? Greece? Syria?). My emphasis is on oil-producing
rather than ‘edible’
varieties.

I would sincerely appreciate any and all advice! You can either send it directly
to me at
maz@cyber.net.pk or via the Olive Oil mailing list.

While I am keen to acquire more knowledge about growing olives, I must admit I’m
enjoying the
daily discussions on the finer points of olive cuisine. I’ll soon being trying
out some of the recipes!

Many thanks,

Maz
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<pre>Maz,

Where is your farm in Pakistan?

Phil
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<pre>Phil,
My farm is around 28 degrees North (Your southern hemisphere equivalent
would be, I suppose, the Gold Coast and southern Queensland) . In case you
are familiar with Pakistan, then it is almost in the centre of the three
provinces of Sindh, Punjab and Baluchistan. The Indus river is close by.
Maz

Phil Bramley wrote:

> From: "Phil Bramley" <bramleyp@one.net.au>
>
> Maz,
>
> Where is your farm in Pakistan?
>
> Phil
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</pre>
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<pre>Maz, I had the pleasure of working and living in Pakistan (Islamabad) for
three years. I met my wife at the Tarbella dam on the way to Peshawar and
the Afghanistan border. Those were interesting days, 1978-1981, and we both
had a great interest in travel through the North West frontier and up the
fairly newly opened Karakorum Highway. We also enjoyed exploring the Mughal
forts along the Jhelum.

During my time in Pakistan I don't recall seeing olive trees but they must
have been brought down by the Mughals in the 11th/12th ??? centuries.

Your climate, I would have thought, would be very suitable for growing
olives. I am not sure about those searing 50deg summer days but others on
this discussion group should be able to tell you something about that. In
Syria, where the temperatures get up in the 40deg on the coast and north of
Aleppo (olive growing areas of Syria) olives thrive!

What is the name of the town where you live? If you are on the Indus then
are you in the North West province tribal area?

Regards

Phil Bramley
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<pre>Phil
Tarbela dam is still very much here though getting heavily silted. The location
of a proposed new dam is one of the most contentious issues going these days
among the various provinces in Pakistan these days.
I am located in Dera Ghazi Khan division, the Baluch tribal belt of
Southwestern Punjab. This area adjoins our cousins in Baluchistan and in the
South with Sind. Though theoretically we are part of the Punjab I am
Baluchi-speaking but spent most of my youth in the southern hemphisphere, in NZ
where I went to boarding school, later Law School and then worked in Auckland
as a banker.
These days I am farming cotton, mangoes and wheat. I have been chasing an
'olive' dream for a number of years and this year I am determined to proceed.
While there are a few wild olives (olea ferrunginea) growing in neighbouring
Afghanistan and northern Pakistan the olive is not grown for eating or
commercial purposes.
Not surprisingly, there no olives obtainable in local nurseries. When I acquire
sufficient knowledge on suitable varities I will have to import the trees from
overseas. Therefore I can't afford to make mistakes as it is going to be an
expensive proposition.
All and any help on varieties would therefore would be most appreciated!
All the best,
Maz
Phil Bramley wrote:

> From: "Phil Bramley" <bramleyp@one.net.au>
>
> Maz, I had the pleasure of working and living in Pakistan (Islamabad) for
> three years. I met my wife at the Tarbella dam on the way to Peshawar and
> the Afghanistan border. Those were interesting days, 1978-1981, and we both
> had a great interest in travel through the North West frontier and up the
> fairly newly opened Karakorum Highway. We also enjoyed exploring the Mughal
> forts along the Jhelum.
>
> During my time in Pakistan I don't recall seeing olive trees but they must
> have been brought down by the Mughals in the 11th/12th ??? centuries.
>
> Your climate, I would have thought, would be very suitable for growing
> olives. I am not sure about those searing 50deg summer days but others on
> this discussion group should be able to tell you something about that. In
> Syria, where the temperatures get up in the 40deg on the coast and north of
> Aleppo (olive growing areas of Syria) olives thrive!
>
> What is the name of the town where you live? If you are on the Indus then
> are you in the North West province tribal area?
>
> Regards
>
> Phil Bramley
>
> --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
>
> ONElist: home to the world's liveliest email communities.
>
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> ***** Life is healthier with Olive Oil *****
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>
> Others can subscribe to the OliveOil list by visiting:
> http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/OliveOil
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
</pre>
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<pre>Maz,

Unfortunately I never did get down to Baluchistan although we had an
Australian presence in Quetta at the Staff College.

As a starter may I suggest you have a look at Olives Australia web site.
The Olive Fact sheets are a good guide and should help you with :

. property suitabilitysite
. variety selection
. land preparation
. orchard layout
. pruning and staking young trees
. water requirements
. fertilising
. olive processors
. machinery manufacturers

www.oliveaustralia.aust.com

Another good reference is "Olive Production Manual" from the University of
California ISBN 1-879906-15-5. It may be available from Amazon.com??/

There are many web sites about olives, surprisingly more than about wine
grapes, and a couple to mention:

The Olive Press www.australianolives.com.au - the Australian Olives
Association web site
Craig Hill in Adelaide www.adelaide.net.au/~craigh
Michael Burr who is doing research on wild olives in South Australia
www.senet.com.au

Our Adelaide friends may have a lot of climate and soil information which
may be applicable to where you are in Pakistan. The climate is not
dissimilar to South Australia with mild winters and hot, dry summers.


Good luck

Phil
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