Olive flower: name and characteristics
Indispensable in the Mediterranean diet and in all kitchens, this is liquid gold. Its manufacture arouses so much curiosity that it has even led to the creation of a new term: oil tourism. And It is that if we can enjoy extra virgin olive oil, it is thanks to olives, fruits of the olive tree. A tree that hides peculiarities unknown to many… What do you know, for example, about the olive flower?
We already talked in another post about the surprising Millennial olive trees, and this time we are going to do it on the curiosities of the olive variety, don’t miss it!
When does the olive flower come out?
Olive flowering usually begins in the middle of May, or when the average temperature exceeds 18º, and lasts only one week. It is extremely short!
Between the first olive flower appearing and until it is fertilized or falls, the last one spends about three weeks.
One of the curiosities of the olive flower to highlight is that Only 2% of those that leave normally reach the final phase and turn into olives.
How is the olive flower?
If you are wondering what the olive flower is like, we have collected the data that best defines this flower. Take note:
- What is the olive flower called? The name of the olive flower varies by place. Trama, rapa, cadillo and Esquimo are the most used denominations.
- How does it grow? These flowers grow in clusters of between 10 and 40 flowers, depending on the olive variety.
- What color is the olive flower? It has four white cross-shaped petals and an orange-yellow center, where pollen is found.
- Are there different types? Yes, there are two kinds of olive flowers: the perfect ones and the staminiferous ones. The first are hermaphrodites and are responsible for producing the fruits, while the latter, masculine, only have stamens.
- What does the olive flower smell like? Its aroma is sweet and soft, very different from the smell of a freshly harvested olive.
How does olive pollination occur?
At the end of its flowering, the olive trees Release large amounts of pollen. It is then that we can affirm that these trees have begun the pollination of their flower.
The wind will be in charge during this stage of transporting the pollen, which can travel kilometers and kilometers, even crossing the seas to pollinate flowers from other olive trees.
This is because An olive tree cannot pollinate others from the same familyThat’s why there are more than 200 varieties of this tree and so many types of olives!
How long does an olive tree take to bear fruit?
Now yes, we can talk about what really interests us, how long does it take for the olive tree to generate our beloved olives?
The olive tree separates the unsuitable seeds, leaving only the strongest and healthiest. The process of transforming the flower to the olive seed is called “curdling”.
When five or six weeks pass, this seed solidifies, and in about three months it will have matured to offer us the final bone.
When are you known to have reached maturity? Well Just before the fruit changes color. Then, its growth slows down and, at the last moment, reaches its characteristic black tonality.
After the curdled, the Olive care is crucial to avoid pests, and thus the collection is perfect and an olive oil of the highest quality can be obtained, such as that of Beloleum.
What to do to set the olive flower?
There are times when flowering is scarce, and they are those in which the temperatures are too high, which decreases the fertility of olive pollen. The harvest can also be reduced when the rain is very persistent or the temperature below -10º. However, Fresh, wet air is great for moving pollen.
Although the olive tree resists the frosts of the Mediterranean well, it is also sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, which can influence its flowering and pollination.
But in addition to the climate and geographical areas, the flowering will change depending on the variety of the olive tree that is planted, which can be of early, medium or late flowering. And watering and feeding are also crucial for proper growth!
You already know perfectly the olive flower, without which in Beloleum we could not make a unique product in every way. Our Olive oil is a gift For the view and also for the palate, do you dare to try it?
Latest Posts on Olive Oil
Fasting olive oil: everything you need to know
5 gourmet homemade burger recipes
How to optimize olive nutrition?