“You don't have to believe the miracle sellers". George Panels (in the picture), one of the most authoritative reference points of Italian olive growing, warns against improbable alchemists who in this fruit set period, characterized by drought and waves of color, suggest treating the olive grove with this or that product.
Well don't believe the miracle sellers, but what does Pannelli suggest to olive growers?
“The only thing is to irrigate where you can. The indispensable minimum is in itself sufficient, because the olive tree is arid-resistant, therefore normal water stress is bearable, while excess drought inevitably damages both the vegetative and productive aspects of the plant. The problem is that today in Italy, starting from the western part of the Center and the North, the situation is becoming dramatic due to the absence of meteoric water. In the past droughts were occasional, now they have become recurrent. And therefore also designing irrigation systems where there are the conditions to do so becomes a mandatory path".
When does the olive tree need water the most?
“In the phases of production and growth of the cells, therefore during the vegetative restart, flowering and fruit setting between April and June and then in the phase of growth and fruit inolation, in the months of September and October”.
No additional products?
“Look, I'm not a priori against biostimulants or boron. But I'd like to see serious scientific evidence. In short, I would like objective support that could clearly and unequivocally demonstrate to me the economic advantage not only of the seller, but also of the manufacturer. To date it has never had a practical and concrete response. This is why I distrust miracle sellers”.
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