Welcome to the Cooperativa del camp de Castelldans! We want to share with you the complete process of the Stages of the Arbequina olive tree cycle behind our delicious extra virgin olive oil, OliFERM, made from Arbequina olives grown with care and dedication in our region.
The olive tree is an ancient tree that can live for hundreds of years. Today, at Cooperativa Oliferm, we combine traditional techniques with modern innovations to ensure that every drop of oil reflects the highest quality and authenticity of our land.
What makes the Arbequina olive special?
The Arbequina olive is known for being small, round and extremely rich in oil. Originally from the Arbeca area, very close to Castelldans, this variety is appreciated for its softness, its fruity flavor and its low acidity. This unique combination makes the extra virgin olive oil obtained one of the most sought after both locally and internationally.
Cycle of the Arbequina olive tree and how we take care of it
Inflorescence growth (February – March)
The cycle of the Arbequina olive tree begins at the end of February with the growth of the inflorescences. In this first stage, the sprouting of the buds is essential to ensure a good harvest. During this period, the vegetative shoots become new stems and leaves, while the flower buds will be the future fruits. This is how this initial phase prepares the olive tree for a healthy and productive development throughout the year.
Treatments at this stage:
- Fertilization: an advanced fertilizer that helps bud sprouting and strengthens cell walls.
- Correction of deficiencies: specific fertilizer by Olivo helps to correct micronutrient deficiencies.
- Protection: use of organic fungicide that protects against diseases.
Flowering (May)
In mid-May, the olive tree enters flowering, a crucial time when the hermaphrodite flowers are pollinated. This stage lasts about three weeks and determines the number of fruits that will be produced.
Treatments at this stage:
- Foliar fertilization: To enhance flowering and fruit set.
- Biostimulants: they help to improve the quality of flowers and future fruits.
- Specific nutrition: Fertilizers with 10+30+10 formulation to ensure good flowering.
Curd (June – July)
It happens after flowering, when the petals fall off, the fertilized fruits begin to develop. At this stage , the olive tree makes a natural selection, getting rid of the fruits it cannot feed in order to concentrate its resources on those that have the best chance of ripening properly. As this process progresses, only the strongest and most well-nourished fruits continue to grow, ensuring a quality harvest. In this way , the olive tree optimizes its efforts to produce olives that will become the excellent extra virgin olive oil that we all know and appreciate.
Treatments at this stage:
- Growth enhancers: To promote vegetative growth.
- Metabolic activators: To activate the metabolism of the plant.
- Correction of deficiencies: To ensure adequate nutrition.
- Mixing conditioners: To regulate the pH of the water to optimize the treatments.
Envero (September – October)
In winter, the fruit begins to change color, going from yellowish to maroon to black. This is an indicator that the olives are ripening.
Treatments at this stage:
- Fruiting enhancers: favors the ripening of the fruit.
- Nutrition with potassium: supplements food with a high concentration of potassium.
- Protection against diseases: It is important to keep the olives healthy during this critical stage.
Ripening (November)
Ripening is the final stage before harvesting. At this point, the Arbequines olives are ready to be harvested and pressed to obtain the oil. During this phase, the fruit has reached its maximum richness in oils, flavors and aromas. Therefore, it is crucial to harvest at the right time to guarantee the highest quality of our extra virgin olive oil. Thus, we ensure that every drop of our oil reflects the excellence of the Arbequines de Castelldans olives.
Treatments at this stage:
- Final fertilization: ensures a good size and color of the fruits.
- Complete Nutrition: Provides the nutrition needed to complete the cycle successfully. This stage is essential to ensure that the olive tree has all the nutrients required to remain healthy and productive. Thanks to adequate nutrition, the tree can properly develop its fruits and prepare for winter rest. Consequently, this complete nutrition is key to guaranteeing a quality harvest and optimal production of extra virgin olive oil.
Rest (December – February)
After harvesting, the olive tree goes into winter rest, a crucial period to regain strength and prepare for the next cycle. During these months, the tree rests and accumulates the necessary nutrients for the next growing season. In this way, the olive tree regenerates and prepares to face the challenges of the new vegetative cycle. Thus, this winter rest is essential to maintain the health and productivity of the olive tree in the long term.
Treatments at this stage:
- Plowing: preparing the ground for the next season. This process is essential to aerate the soil and eliminate weeds that could compete with the olive trees for nutrients and water. In addition, plowing helps to incorporate remains of previous crops into the soil, improving its structure and fertility. In short, this practice ensures that the land is in optimal conditions for the new growth cycle, thus contributing to a healthy and abundant future harvest.
- Pruning: Proper pruning is done to encourage future growth. This process is crucial to keep the olive tree in an optimal state of health and productivity. During pruning, dead or diseased branches are cut, as well as those that prevent the passage of light and air to the center of the tree. In this way, more balanced growth is encouraged and the risk of disease is reduced. In short, proper pruning prepares the olive tree for a new cycle of vigorous and productive growth, ensuring a quality harvest in the future.
Castelldans Arbequina Olive Oil
The result of this whole process is a high quality extra virgin olive oil, characterized by its softness, its fruity flavor and its low acidity. This oil is the reflection of our dedication and care at every stage of cultivation.
We invite you to taste our oil and discover everything that nature and our experience can offer. At the Cooperativa del camp de Castelldans , we work every day to bring the best of our region to your table.
