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> I make the case for olives in this article on the basis of a series
> of second bests adding up to a worthwhile option. Olives are not as
> salt resistant as Australian native species and are vunerable to
> waterlogging but are better than most tree or vine crops. They will
> produce a better income than native species. They are well suited to
> mixed farms and have low care management requiements.
> Cheers Brian Chatterton.


Brian,

To take you to task on this last comment "low care management requirements".
I think that depends on how you define "low".

We have found our young trees, having had their first crop at 4 years old,
have been attacked by Olive Lace Bug, scale and caterpillars (and cattle,
kangaroos and parrots). We have had Bud Mite, Peacock Spot, Sooty Mould and
Anthracnose. We are deficient in Boron, Copper, Calcium, Zinc and probably
other trace elements which we can't yet clearly identify.

Our soil is wonderful for weeds and drains well, our water supply contains a
manageable degree of salts. However, after spending the winter pruning and
the spring spraying, "low maintenance" is not a phrase that I care to use
any more.

Regards,

Mike Wilson.
Hunter Valley.
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<pre>My piece on olives and salinity is due to appear in the Local Government
Environmental Handbook 2001 published by Executive Media, Melbourne.

I make the case for olives in this article on the basis of a series
of second bests adding up to a worthwhile option. Olives are not as
salt resistant as Australian native species and are vunerable to
waterlogging but are better than most tree or vine crops. They will
produce a better income than native species. They are well suited to
mixed farms and have low care management requiements.
Cheers Brian Chatterton.
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