Olive Trees - new shoots going limp

Simon44

Hi, 

I bought two olive standards (about 4 ft) last summer and have kept them indoors over winter as it was very wet and frosty. They lost a lot of leaves from the bottom branches of the lollipop crown but they started growing some very healthy branches at the top. 

I took them both outside this week as I thought it was warm enough for them, but the new shoots have gone limp and the newer leaves on them are starting to shrivel. They've stopped losing leaves though. Are they shocked?

Thanks. 

Dovefromabove

Simon44 wrote (see)

.... Are they shocked?...

I should think so - are you leaving them out at night?   Night time temperatures are still quite low.  They need hardening off gently after having been indoors all winter.  Also leaves that have grown indoors will frazzle in bright sunlight. 

Katfish

Agree with comments above.  I've had an olive tree for several years in a large pot at the back door (best shelter and plenty of daytime sun).  Never brought it inside and never given it winter protection.  In harsher winters it's looked a little sad but ok, in milder winters it looks great.
I think leaving it outside to fend for itself has helped it get established and harden up.  If you leave them outside over winter just make sure they've got a good spot.  Then you don't have to harden them off each spring.  Saying that if you've got a good spot inside at least you get to enjoy them closer up through winter.

Based in Yorkshire so ok in the North too.