I have been working on this olive since July, 2011. To see a progression of its development from 2011 to early 2019 see https://beginbonsai.net/2019/01/03/olive-olea-europaea-var-sanfernando/.

The tree today.

The tree after initial purchase.

The tree when I first posted an entry about it to this blog.

The tree continuing its development since the initial post.

Growth.

More growth.

Branch-pruned.

The tree a year ago.

On the bonsai benches, rocking some tangled bonsai wiring.

Time to prune some branches.

Pruned.

The tree is coming along.

Fall branch extensions.

A month later.

A photo looking at the tree from above earlier today, showing the small, tight foliage this “San Fernando” variety of olive is known for.
I have always wanted an olive bonsai. Short of pennies, I bought a trainer olive, it will be a long time before it looks as good as yours…
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I’ve had this one about 10 years from a stick in a pot so it can take a while but is doable!
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I just bought 2 “San Fernando” olea after seeing your great results. Unfortunately I can’t find any other information online about this cultivar. Do you know if they are fruitless or fertile? Are they closer to wild olea(sylvestris) than other named cultivars?
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I haven’t seen any fruit on mine yet but that might be due to its relatively young age. I think the small leaves and interesting trunk growth on this ‘San Fernando’ variety can produce a beautiful bonsai. Mine grows nicely but slowly. I only have this variety and its cuttings, so I can’t compare it to other varieties of O. europea or O. sylvestris as bonsai.
Thanks for your interest, I bet you will enjoy your trees!
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