Cultivar Profile

Kalamata Olive Tree

Olea europaea ‘Kalamata’ aka ‘Kalamon’
Field Installation - Olive Trees

Cultivar Profile

Kalamata Olive Tree

Olea europaea ‘Kalamata’ aka ‘Kalamon’

The Greek Kalamata is one of the most famous olive cultivars. It produces an attractive, deep reddish-purple fruit.

The trees grow close to the Ionian sea in the Kalamata region of Southern Greece. Kalamata olives are fairly large as are the trees’ foliage, which also have a torpedo skin and split. Their olives contain moderate amounts of oil, so growers produce them for use as table olives and some oil. Brown and purple olives are brined in red wine vinegar. They have a soft, fruity but slightly bitter flavor. Producers often stuff Kalamata olives with various ingredients; feta cheese is a common one.

Specifications

Fruiting

Fruiting

Beautiful Fruiting Specimen

Olive Oil

Fruity

Small fruit, almond shaped. The oil is fruity but slightly bitter. Used primarily in curing, brined in wine vinegar.

Bloom

Spring

Inconspicuous, white flowers; prized for evergreen foliage and its fall fruit.

Country

Greece

Type

Single and Multi-Trunk Tree

Foliage

Gray-Green Color

Growth

Moderate

Size

Can reach 20 to 25 ft. tall if given opportunity, 20 ft. wide canopy

Uses

Commercial Use

Coastal Exposure, Container, Kitchen Garden, Mass Planting (high density), Orchards, Specimen

Zones

USDA 8 – 11, Sunset 24

Hardiness

Hardy down 20 to 30 °F, heat extremes cause stress

Light

Full sun

Water

Once established, water occasionally.

Water more frequently in extreme heat or containers. Newly planted olive trees will require more water to establish.

Soil

Well-drained, nutrient poor soil

Light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils all acceptable. Olive trees prefer well-drained soil and even grow well in nutritionally poor soil. Rocky locations. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.

Care

Thrives in most average, slightly alkaline, well-drained soils, but it is highly adaptable. More productive when planted near another olive variety. Water deeply, regularly during first few growing seasons to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates drought. Shelter young plants from temperature extremes.

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