Troubleshooting
Kalamata olive problems — and how to fix them
Kalamata olive (Olea europaea 'Kalamata') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Alternate bearing
Kalamata is prone to pronounced biennial bearing — a very heavy crop is followed by a nearly fruitless year. Mitigate by thinning developing fruit in heavy-crop years to reduce tree exhaustion, and by maintaining consistent irrigation and nutrition.
Olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae)
The primary pest of cultivated olives worldwide; larvae tunnel into ripening fruit, causing premature drop and secondary bacterial rot. Monitor with yellow sticky traps or kaolin clay applications; pyrethrin sprays at first trap catch are effective for organic management.
Verticillium wilt
Soil-borne fungus causing sudden branch die-back and wilting of sections of the canopy. No cure; prune out affected limbs promptly and sterilize tools. Avoid planting where solanaceous crops have been grown. Kalamata shows moderate susceptibility.
Prevent kalamata olive problems before they start
Most kalamata olive issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for kalamata olive in general rather than its problems? Read the full kalamata olive care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Kalamata olive problems — FAQ
Why is my kalamata olive alternate bearing?
Kalamata is prone to pronounced biennial bearing — a very heavy crop is followed by a nearly fruitless year. Mitigate by thinning developing fruit in heavy-crop years to reduce tree exhaustion, and by maintaining consistent irrigation and nutrition.
Why is my kalamata olive olive fruit fly (bactrocera oleae)?
The primary pest of cultivated olives worldwide; larvae tunnel into ripening fruit, causing premature drop and secondary bacterial rot. Monitor with yellow sticky traps or kaolin clay applications; pyrethrin sprays at first trap catch are effective for organic management.
Why is my kalamata olive verticillium wilt?
Soil-borne fungus causing sudden branch die-back and wilting of sections of the canopy. No cure; prune out affected limbs promptly and sterilize tools. Avoid planting where solanaceous crops have been grown. Kalamata shows moderate susceptibility.