From: karenp@sybase.com (Karen Paulsell)
Subject: Re: Germination of olives _Olea europea_
Date: 23 Sep 92 05:05:59 GMT

[How long does it take for Olea europea to sprout?]

Not an exact answer...  Plant Propagation, Principles and Practices by
Hartmann and Kester says that germination is prolonged over 1-2 years;
small fruited cultivars germinate more easily than those of
large-fruited ones, and that there's often a low germination
percentage. The filing work you did is supposed to speed things up,
but nevertheless germination will still be "slow and erratic".

"Removing the seed from the pit and germinating the with w/o the seed
coats in petri dishes on moist filter paper will give high germination
percentages if the fruits are collected shortly after pit hardening."

Also says that seedlings grow slowly and may take a year or two to get
big enough to graft. Very commercial kinda book, you know?

I'd say, if you get an olive tree, you should feel a massive sense of
accomplishment. I know I'd never make it, I'd keep up the watering for
maybe weeks, maybe months, then would come a couple of weeks of
absolute overload, and all my loving care would go for naught!