remove seed from untreated fruit. & use only FRESH seed. lightly cover the seed soil temp 65-70F & takes 30-120 days to germinate.....

Olive seed often has very low viability. I believe that this is inherent and not just because of storage. Plant plenty of seed. Also, seed-grown trees tend to adopt different forms from the ones you might be used to which may be grafts or stub cuttings. A seed grown in good soil will likely form a tall vigorous tree instead of the gnarled spreading ones you often see.

Thanks to both of you for the advice. I believe the seed I've collected is very fresh, so hopefully I'll have some success.

ONE LAST QUESTION: after I've removed the pit from the fruit, should I plant the cleaned pit, or crack open the pit and plant the seed inside? Or is the pit the actual seed? I know this is probably a dumb question, but I have no experience with olives. Thanks.

cd

Plant the whole pit. Make sure that all flesh is thoroughly washed away. You may be able to improve germination by soaking or scarification of the pit. I've even read of some people scarifying to the extent that the seed is effectively free of the pit.

Thanks for the info shrubs n bulbs. I'll try soaking and/or scarification.

cd

I.ve always wanted to try growing olives, but I have never been able to find a source for fresh pits. Any Ideas where I can aquire some?

Probably herecy to a professional gardener but, I scarified my olive seeds using my dog's Pedi-Paws (rotary sanding tool) to just open the outer seed case, and I've gotten close to to 75% yeild. Using a soil mixture of Vermiculite, Perlite, Peat, gravel, and Georgia red clay (25%, 25%, 15%, 15%, 10%, 10% respectively)