Coffee tree: home care and disease prevention. Growing a coffee tree at home

In recent years, the evergreen coffee tree has become popular. indoor flower, it is bred by plant lovers at home. By following the basic rules of care, performing timely feeding and regular watering, you can achieve the appearance of fragrant flowers and coffee fruits on your windowsills.

How to grow a coffee tree

In nature, Arabian Arabica reaches several meters and looks like a real tree. It grows in Africa, Asia and South America where the weather is warm throughout the year. Growing a coffee tree at home requires an initial knowledge of the plant's preferences and how to propagate it. It is very unpretentious, even a novice florist can handle the care.

from seeds

Growing a coffee tree from seed is easy. To do this, they are bought in a store or taken from friends. The grains of the plant are covered with a dense shell and in the photo do not look like those from which the drink is prepared. For quick germination, you need to follow the sequence:

  1. Soak the seeds in warm water with the addition of a growth stimulant or diluted vodka.
  2. Remove the shell from the surface with a knife, you can simply file it from one edge.
  3. Prepare soil for planting. Suitable ready composition for flowers that are sold in the store.
  4. Plant the grains to a depth of 1-1.5 cm, pour water.
  5. close container cling film or a simple cellophane bag. The earth should not be filled up to the very top of the pot, so that the sprouts do not rest against the film after emergence.
  6. Put the pot in the light, without direct sunlight.
  7. In the place of germination, it is required to observe the optimum temperature, which is equal to 22-24 degrees. These conditions correspond to the natural climate suitable for the plant.
  8. After germination, remove the film and water the sprout as the soil dries.

From a cutting

The second method, which is used for plant propagation, is to get a coffee tree from a cutting. This method is faster, because a process from the crown is taken as the raw material for rooting. In order to choose a good cutting, you need to look at the photo of how coffee grows and cut upper part with two or three leaves at a distance of 15-20 cm. The stalk is placed in water with the addition of the Kornevin preparation. Experienced flower growers advise using a proven recipe and instead dissolve natural honey on the tip of a teaspoon in a glass of water.

You can place the cut off shoot in a pot of soil, but then you need to periodically open the cut point and check whether the roots have formed. If the stalk is watered too abundantly, rotting may occur. Above the pot, you should make a mini-greenhouse, covering the sprout with a transparent plastic bottle cut in half. After 1-2 weeks, when the roots form and the plant begins to produce new leaves, the greenhouse must be removed.

Caring for a coffee tree at home

Having studied the information on how to grow coffee, you need to learn how to care for a coffee tree so that it grows and increases in size. If all the procedures are carried out correctly, then soon its height will become 1-1.5 meters. Caring for a coffee tree is simple and does not require special skills. Houseplant growers advise:

  1. Put coffee in the sun, where there is no draft. Suitable light window sill or flower stand by the window facing south. Lack of lighting will affect growth and fruiting.
  2. Make sure that the temperature in the room is maintained at 15-20 degrees. Some plants in winter time should rest, but coffee can be in a warm room all year round. However, you can not put it near the battery so that the leaves do not dry out.
  3. Do not turn the flower pot. Any change causes the leaves to fall off, so you need to mark one of the sides of the pot and keep an eye on how it stands.
  4. As the crown grows, trim the upper shoots.

Transfer

For the first time, a coffee tree transplant at home is done after the stalk or sprout begins to produce side branches. The next time you need to transplant a plant after the first year, when the tree becomes more than 50 cm tall. Do not immediately take a spacious pot or often transplant indoor plant coffee. When transplanting, care must be taken so as not to damage the overgrown root system. The soil is chosen acidic, with an admixture of sand, as in the homeland of coffee. Drainage is placed at the bottom of the tank.

Watering

Difficult to maintain indoors desired humidity therefore regular watering of the coffee tree is very important. Watering should not be too often - 2-3 times a week, so that the roots do not rot. If the air is too dry, place an open pan with clean water and ventilate more often. The owner can guess that the plant is not getting enough water by the way the edges of the leaves begin to dry. In this case, you need to add a constant weekly spraying from the spray bottle.

top dressing

A prerequisite for the full development is top dressing of the coffee tree. The first months when active growth branches and crowns, you should feed the soil every week. Store-bought fertilizer for flowers based on useful minerals and micronutrients. Every year in the spring, before flowering, apply liquid nitrogen and potassium fertilizers. After fruit set, be sure to mix phosphorus in the form of bone meal into the ground.

reproduction

You can get several from one adult plant in two ways: make cuttings, or germinate grains. Such a method as propagation of a coffee tree by cuttings is rarely used, because the shoots take root with difficulty. The method of growing from seeds is much easier. Coffee begins to bloom after 2 years from the start of planting. In nature, insects play the role of pollinators; at home, you need to take a squirrel brush or a piece of cotton wool and transfer pollen from one flower to another. The ripening process of berries lasts 4-5 months. After that, you can use them for reproduction.

Diseases of the coffee tree

Houseplant lovers know that diseases of the home coffee tree are rare. If this happens, you can find out about the trouble by the color and condition of the sheets, as in the photo. They turn yellow or blacken from the edges, become stained, fold into tubules. Often insect pests attack coffee - aphids, ground flies, scale insects. They attach the larvae to reverse side leaves. They are sprayed with a special store composition, or with water diluted 1: 4 with vodka. With a lack of iron, you need to stick rusty nails into the ground.

Houseplant lovers have long started growing coffee trees at home. These trees are very beautiful, and the aroma of flowers is simply unforgettable. You can even enjoy coffee brewed from fruits that you have grown yourself. And such fruits can be obtained 300-500 grams per year. Of course, you can’t drink a lot of coffee, but still.

For growing a coffee tree at home, the Arabica variety or specially bred dwarf varieties are suitable. The Robusta variety is too tall and requires cross-pollination to produce fruit.

The domestic coffee tree grows up to 1.5 meters in height. But there are “lucky ones” whose tree grew more than 4 meters, which presents some problems in an apartment. But this is easily fixable. You can regulate the growth of the coffee tree at home by cutting to the desired size.

In care, a homemade coffee tree does not require much effort. It is much more difficult to grow it from seed or cuttings. Rarely, grafting is used for reproduction. Coffee trees grown different ways, have different characteristics.

Reproduction by seeds

Soil preparation:

The soil before planting a coffee tree at home should settle for about 2 weeks. The soil should be loose, the reaction should be slightly acidic. Optimal composition for planting seeds: turf land - 2 parts, sand - 1 part, peat - 1 part. The earth is recommended to be steamed or calcined in the oven.

Germination temperature:

The optimum temperature for seed germination is 19-24 degrees. Gotta choose right time for planting or you can arrange a heated greenhouse.

Seed selection:

Fully ripe fruits are suitable for planting. They can be picked directly from the coffee tree. Beans with two "beans" are preferred. Coffee beans lose their ability to germinate very quickly. Green coffee beans are not suitable for propagation.

Grain preparation:

The grain is cleaned from the outer shell to ensure the fastest germination. Washed with water. Then it is processed in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour.

Landing

A separate pot is prepared for each grain. The depth of laying the seeds is 1 cm. The grains are laid out with the convex side up. So the sprouts will more easily break through to the surface. After planting, water and cover with a glass jar.

Already after 1-1.5 months, cotyledon leaves should appear, which are protected by the seed coat. Before the leaves are released from the shell, the plant must be in a highly humid environment. Only after complete dropping, you can begin to gradually accustom the plant to the dry air of the room. They begin to remove the jar for a few minutes, gradually increasing this time.

Plant lignification:

First on the green stem young tree unsightly brown spots appear. The grassy trunk seems to dry out. It can shrink almost twice. This can be intimidating for inexperienced coffee growers. Gradually, the spots increase and unite with each other. The coffee stem takes on the appearance of a tree. In the first year after planting, the crown does not form. Only the trunk grows. And only in the second year from the lateral axillary buds appear skeletal branches. To get a more lush crown, these skeletal branches need to be cut a little.

Disadvantages of propagation by seeds:

  • The coffee tree begins to bear fruit for 3-4 years.
  • May not repeat all the properties of the parent tree.

Advantages:

  • Simple and cheap.
  • There are no problems with the formation of the crown.

Reproduction by cuttings

Soil preparation:

Any soil for propagation by cuttings is suitable. But two conditions must be met: the soil must be breathable and retain moisture. Ideal mixture of peat and building material perlite (pearlite expanded sand) in a ratio of 1:1. For these purposes, sphagnum moss peat or marsh peat is best suited. For best quality peat substrate is recommended to be sifted with a fine sieve. Perlite is good because it is absolutely neutral and does not require disinfection. The mixture of peat and perlite must be thoroughly mixed and filled with a container in which the cuttings will be planted. The substrate does not need to be compacted when filling the container. It is necessary to shed the prepared soil with a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate. This stimulates the survival rate of the planted cuttings and disinfects the peat.

Selection of cuttings for propagation:

A branch is selected from the middle part of the crown of the coffee tree, which is already bearing fruit. The cutting should have two pairs of leaves. For propagation, it is better to choose branches from the previous growth. They form buds. It contributes fastest flowering future coffee trees.

Preparation of cuttings:

The cut of the cutting is done, departing from the lower pair of leaves 2.5-3 cm. On the lower part of the cutting, several longitudinal scratches can be made using sewing needle. This will help better root formation. Cuttings should be placed for 3-4 hours in a solution of heteroauxin. ¼ tablet dissolves in 1.5 liters of water. This solution stimulates rooting. Only the lower part of the cutting is immersed in the solution by 0.5-1 cm. The second type of rooting stimulation: indolylbutyric acid. A solution is prepared from 25 mg of acid and 0.5 l warm water. In this solution, the cuttings are kept for 16 hours.

Landing:

Cuttings should be planted only vertically, digging in 2-2.5 cm. The cutting is very carefully inserted into the ground, sinking the cuttings of a pair of lower leaves into it. At the junction of the leaves and the cuttings, additional roots are formed. Therefore, this method of planting gives almost 100% rooting.
After planting, it is recommended to shed the soil again with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Rooting should take place in a humid environment. The vessel with the handle is covered plastic bag with several small holes for air access. By the way, through these holes it will be possible to spray the plant during the rooting period. With this spraying, the leaves are completely moistened. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.

Rooting temperature:

Soil temperature should ideally be +25 - +27 degrees. In general, the higher the soil temperature, the faster rooting occurs. At a temperature of +21 - +23, rooting takes place from February 23 to April 10. And at a temperature of +25 when planting on April 1, rooting ends on May 5. But in pursuit of warmth, do not overdo it. Temperatures above +32 do not contribute to the formation of roots.

Transfer:

A sign that rooting has occurred is the awakening of the upper growth bud. After another pair of leaves has formed on top, the plant can be transplanted. It should be dug very carefully, trying not to damage the resulting root system. It can be elongated or fibrous. 2-3 rod-shaped roots can be distinguished. It is recommended to shake off the remnants of the soil from the roots, but do not wash the roots.

Substrate for transplantation:

The following mixture is suitable for transplanting: turf - 4 parts, peat - 2 parts, river sand- 1 part. You can mix in some wood ash.

Tank preparation:

Suitable for planting a coffee tree flower pot with a diameter of 12 cm. A shard is placed on the bottom of the pot with the convex part up. 1 cm of drainage is poured from above. It is good to use coarse sand for this purpose. Then the prepared soil is laid.

Transfer:

The plant is transplanted very carefully, sprinkled. After transplantation, abundant watering follows. This allows the particles of the earth to adhere tightly to the roots, and air voids are also removed. Transplanted plants are placed in a bright place, but not under direct sunlight. After a week, the seedlings can be put in a permanent place.

Disadvantages of propagation by cuttings:

  • The formation of the crown should be monitored

Advantages of propagation by cuttings:

  • The young plant has all the properties of the mother tree.
  • Flowering can occur even during the rooting period.
  • Full fruits can be obtained in the first year.

Jul 20, 2016 Sergey

There are coffee seeds and an irresistible desire to grow a coffee tree at home. How to plant a coffee bean? What kind of soil is needed? Optimal growing conditions. The nuances of growing seedlings. In this case, consultation experienced flower growers and a picture guide with a detailed explanation of each step of growing coffee.

How to choose and where to buy coffee seeds?

So, if you only plan to buy seeds for planting, you need to know a few nuances about the seed:

  • coffee seeds lose their germination very quickly. Already a month after the grain was removed from the tree, its germination rate drops by 50%, another half a month and the germination rate drops by 90%;
  • it is better to buy seeds from breeders and it is desirable that the grain is surrounded by pulp. Only in this case, you can vouch for good germination seed;
  • germination of coffee tree seeds up to the formation of the first pair of true leaves should be carried out under conditions high humidity. Otherwise, the dense shell of the grain on the sprout, which has just taken root, will not open and the cotyledons (the first pair of fake leaves) will be damaged. This will adversely affect the development of the plant;
  • if you buy coffee seeds for planting in a store, their packing date should not exceed 1.5 months and at the time of purchase of seed. Only then can we hope for the germination of at least one grain.

Where to get coffee tree seeds? The best option- from the owner of the tree, who harvested his plant no more than 1 month ago. Coffee seeds must be stored in the pulp. The second option is to buy in an online store where professional seed is sold. The grains must be fresh and unpacked no later than 1.5 months after removal from the tree. But seeds from flower shops must be treated with growth stimulants.

Preparation for planting coffee seeds in the pulp is very simple: the pulp is removed from the grains. The seeds themselves can be soaked with a growth stimulant or aloe juice, or you can not do this, since such seed germinates perfectly. The grains are immersed in the ground by 1.5-2 cm, watered and placed in a greenhouse. Not recommended for planting coffee beans from unripe berries (green berries). They will not germinate, but simply rot in the ground.

If you buy coffee seeds for planting in a regular flower shop, they will be dry and without pulp. Very rarely, the date of harvesting and packaging is indicated on the seed sachet. That is why you need to rely on the good faith of the seller, who will not slip expired goods. But even if the coffee tree seeds in the store are fresh, the following manipulations must be performed with them before sowing.

So how do you prepare coffee seeds for planting? Preparation takes place in several stages:

  • remove the parchment that surrounds the grain. Sclerification increases the percentage of grain germination. It is possible to remove the parchment shell without damaging the grain if the seed is soaked for 2 hours in warm water;
  • mandatory treatment with growth stimulants. It can be cyclone, epin or any other similar drug. Soak for at least 8 hours. If there are no growth stimulants at hand, you can use a solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate). The solution is prepared pale in color. Before sowing, coffee beans are also soaked for 8 hours in aloe juice;
  • to process and increase the percentage of germination of coffee beans, it is recommended to soak in a hydrogen peroxide solution. The first 10 minutes the concentration of the solution should lie within 3%. After the above time, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide decreases to 1-0.5%. In such a solution, coffee grains should be kept for a day before sowing.

Quality coffee seeds suitable for planting, regardless of variety, will have a white or milky white hue. If the coffee beans are brown, green, they are either damaged by the disease, or very old, or covered with mold. They won't germinate.

The photo below shows an example of Arabica Nana coffee seeds.

How to plant a coffee bean?

After processing, coffee tree seeds can be planted. Experts recommend germinating coffee beans in slightly acidic soil, a mixture of vermiculite and sphagnum moss. Some flower growers keep the seed on wet cotton pads until the sprout appears. As practice shows, the latter method is not effective. The explanation is simple: even fresh grains germinate for 40-60 days. In a too humid environment, they can become moldy, which adversely affects germination.

What soil for sowing coffee beans can I use the inogo tree? You can plant seed in the following soil mixture: soddy land, peat, sand in a ratio of 2:2:1. In such soil, the plant will develop until the first pick. A mixture of vermiculite and sphagnum moss is also used. Such a mixture retains moisture for a long time, which is necessary for the successful development of the embryo. However, after germination, the coffee bean is transferred to ordinary soil. Mandatory condition: the earth cannot be tamped. It must always be loose.

Temperature for germinating coffee beans. Optimum temperature for successful germination of coffee lies within +25 ... +30 degrees. However, such greenhouse conditions difficult to create ordinary apartment, especially in winter. Experts recommend not to lower the temperature below +21 ... +25 degrees at home. If the temperature is below +21 degrees, the coffee beans will not germinate.

Humidity. High level humidity is the key to successful cultivation of a coffee tree from seeds. That is why you need a greenhouse.

So, step-by-step instruction about growing coffee from seeds at home with pictures.

You can pre-germinate the grains on wet, cotton pads in a greenhouse.

1 step. Prepare a greenhouse. It can be a food tray with a transparent lid or a box, which is then covered with a transparent one. plastic wrap. The prepared grain is placed in the ground. How to plant coffee from seeds? Seeds are laid out on the surface of the earth, you can dig them into the ground by 1-1.5 cm with the flat side down.

If the seeds are not grown on the surface of the soil, but at a depth of 1-1.5 cm, you should not constantly pick them out and see what's wrong with them. Thus, either the sprout or the root can be damaged.

2 step. The grains are sprinkled with soil. The earth is lightly tamped. Once again, everything is watered. Important!!! The soil in the greenhouse where coffee from seeds is grown must be constantly moist. In a humid environment, the hard shell softens and it is easier for the sprout to get out. Next, the greenhouse is covered. It is placed in a warm place where the temperature does not fall below +23 degrees. The higher the ambient temperature, the more likely coffee seeds will germinate.

Subsequent successful cultivation seed coffee depends on proper care behind the greenhouse and seedlings. So, the greenhouse must be ventilated, cleaned from inner surface condensate. The soil must not be dry. It is recommended to add epin or root root to the water for irrigation once a week.

When do coffee seeds germinate? Fresh seeds germinate within 40-60 days after planting. Seedlings from old seeds can be expected up to six months. Sometimes you can observe the loss of the germ of the coffee tree from the achene. This happens if the seeds are very old or the cotyledons themselves are damaged. In such cases, wait healthy seedlings won't have to.

The photo below is an example of a healthy coffee tree seed that has already sprouted. Here we should expect a positive result and the development of a healthy plant.

How to germinate coffee seeds?

How does a coffee bean germinate? Initially, the grain releases the root, then it rises above the ground. It can be seen that the root of a young plant from a healthy seed is strong. Shoots of the coffee tree for a long time can not get rid of the shell of the grain. It covers the cotyledons or the so-called first pair of pseudoleaves.

In some cases, coffee seeds give two roots, therefore, two full-fledged plants will develop from such a grain. Caring for such "twins" is no different from caring for ordinary seedlings. The only difference is the early picking of the "twins". Otherwise, they will interfere with each other's development. Such seedlings should be planted carefully, as their root system will be intertwined with each other.

Is it worth it to remove the cotyledons from the sprout of a coffee tree or wait until they open themselves? It is not recommended to remove the cotyledons from the coffee sprout on your own, as the leaves themselves can be damaged. The latter are responsible for the successful development of a young plant. As practice shows, those seedlings from which flower growers removed the cotyledons and damaged all the leaflets developed more slowly than those in which the cotyledons opened on their own.

How to remove cotyledons from a coffee sprout? It cannot be done mechanically. Experts recommend increasing the humidity level in the greenhouse where the seeds of the coffee tree germinated. In a humid environment, the dense shell will become soft and the coffee leaves can easily get rid of it on their own. How to increase humidity in a greenhouse. In addition to the usual watering of the soil, it is necessary to carry out regular spraying, up to wetting the dense shell of the seedlings.

Seedlings of the coffee tree are kept in a greenhouse until the formation of the second pair of true leaves. Then young plant gradually accustomed to normal humidity air. To do this, slightly open the greenhouse and increase the ventilation time every day. You can completely remove the greenhouse when the leaves of the plant stop withering from normal air humidity.

Seedlings of the coffee tree need sunlight, and therefore they are placed on windows on the east or west side of the house, but not under direct sunlight. The light length for the plant should be 12-14 hours. With a lack natural light provide artificial lighting.

Comfortable temperature for coffee from seeds at home is +23 ... +25 degrees. A temperature of about +30 degrees is needed only during seed germination. The soil in the pot where the tree grows should be constantly wet. Picking is carried out at the stage of two pairs of true leaves.

If you have a desire to start a coffee tree at home, it is recommended to pay attention to important aspects in care and maintenance. A plant from hot Africa is unpretentious, does not require special attention and, with proper handling, bears fruit for 2-3 years. How to ensure optimal conditions to get fast results? What subtleties should be taken into account? Read, learn, implement!

Types of coffee tree, and which ones can be grown at home

The place of origin of all coffee plants is Ethiopia. Only a few types of woody Arabica are suitable for home cultivation:

  • Liberian coffee. The size and type of the crown can be formed by pruning. Wavy size leathery leaves reaches 40 cm. Inflorescences are large, light. The fruits are juicy, large, from light orange to bright scarlet;
  • Dwarf coffee Nana. Without pruning, the tree can reach a height of 90 cm. coffee plant tolerates pruning and pinching tops. Blooms profusely and bears fruit;
  • Arabian coffee. The most popular type of homemade coffee tree in our latitudes. The leaves are dense, leathery, elongated oval in shape with a wavy edge. Inflorescences - large bunches of white flowers, when pollinated, they turn into greenish-olive berries, which turn red over time. Seeds can be collected when the fruit is completely dark and shriveled.

How to plant a coffee tree

A coffee tree of any variety has a deep taproot, which should be considered when choosing a flowerpot. The preferred pot size is from 40 cm deep.

The most suitable type of soil for a coffee tree consists of:

  • 1 part sod, 2 parts crushed peat and 2 parts river sand;
  • Humus, sand and turf from the leaves are mixed in equal proportions. To achieve the required level of acidity, two parts of peat are added.

The bottom of the pot must be lined with drainage, because the plant is sensitive to high moisture content. Pieces of sphagnum moss will be a good addition.


How to choose the right seedling

  • The leaves are dense, shiny, without external damage and spots. Grow in large numbers on branches;
  • The trunk is elastic, solid, with an optimal ratio of height and thickness;
  • In the presence of inflorescences or fruits, it is necessary to inspect for the absence of diseases.

The seedling is quite sensitive to low temperatures. In the cold season, it must be wrapped before transportation.

It is necessary to first determine the type of plant. C.arabica is more suitable for decorative purposes; nana blooms and bears fruit more abundantly, the bush is more compact.

Growing from cuttings


Growing a coffee tree at home is not a problem. The most suitable method for this is propagation by cuttings. The cut part is most suitable for a soil mixture based on marsh-acid crumb, perlite and peat. It is recommended that the mixture be disinfected with a solution of manganese beforehand.

In order to choose the best petiole, you must:

  • On a healthy adult tree, choose a strong branch with four pairs of leaves from the middle of the plant. The branch of the second year of growth is considered the best;
  • The cutting is cut at an angle of 45° sharp knife just behind the first pair of leaves;
  • The bark in the lower part is slightly incised along to stimulate root formation;
  • If desired, you can feed the cutting before planting with a stimulant;
  • The seedling is deepened into the ground by 2-3 cm and covered with a film.

Optimal growing conditions, diffused light and constant spraying guarantee 100% rooting.

The most important advantage of this method is fruiting in the first year of planting.

Growing from seed

A coffee tree from seeds will begin to bear fruit 1-2 years later than cuttings. But this method will give the grower more pleasure and bring great experience. How to plant exotic plant:

  • Deepen the seed into the previously prepared soil by 3-4 cm. The distance between the seeds is 5-7 cm. The seed will germinate faster if it is soaked in a growth stimulator before planting;
  • Make abundant watering and wrap with a film or cover with glass a flowerpot;
  • Every two weeks the film is removed for ventilation and removal of condensate. Produce watering. The first shoots appear a month after planting;
  • When two true leaves appear, the sprout is stopped and planted in a permanent place.

Attention! During planting, it is necessary to scarify the seed, which will significantly speed up its germination. To do this, its shell is slightly damaged, by easy pressing with pliers.

How to grow a coffee tree at home - care rules

Regular care of a coffee tree at home is quite simple. With proper provision, exotic will delight the owner with a beautiful appearance all year round.

Where to put the plant

The preferred location is a window sill, with access to the south side. Location on the north side will significantly slow down the growth of the plant and reduce its ability to reproduce.

Attention! The coffee tree categorically does not tolerate turning the pot. Such actions can provoke shedding of leaves, inflorescences and fruits.

You can not put a flower in the immediate vicinity of the battery, this will lead to shedding.

Transplant and pruning

To properly transplant a tree at home, you need:

  • Do an annual change of soil when the plant reaches 3 years of age. Further - 2-3 times a year;
  • In the absence of a transplant, replace the top layer of soil.

The coffee tree can be pruned to form an attractive, well-shaped crown.

At the age of 8-9, a tree tends to lose its decorative effect. The crown thins, the leaves lose their appearance and shape. Periodic pruning between transplants will prolong the life of the plant and strengthen it.


Lighting and temperature

The tree prefers scattered soft light. When located on the south side, it is worth sticking a newspaper on the window to avoid burning the leaves from direct sunlight. After the formation of the ovary, it is better to lightly shade the plant. In the winter season, you can increase the daylight hours with additional lamps.

The optimal temperature for a coffee tree with proper care:

Avoid lowering the temperature in the room below +15°.

Watering and humidity

The water regime when growing a coffee tree should be approached with particular care, because. The plant is very demanding on moisture. It is necessary to draw up a watering schedule in accordance with periods of vegetative activity:

  1. The dormant period is from October to March. The tree is not moistened or fed. Such measures are necessary in order for the plant to gain strength before flowering and fruiting. It is impossible to allow the top layer of soil to dry out, so it is constantly sprayed.
  2. The period of activity is from March to September. The plant is plentifully watered and sprayed daily. A large number of excess moisture in the container-stand will lead to the necrosis of the root system, so the water must be drained.


top dressing

Regular application of fertilizers increases the fruiting period and the number of inflorescences. Optimal time nutrition for the plant - spring-autumn season. It can be fed with both organic and mineral fertilizers. So, it is recommended to enter in the period:

  • Vegetative activity - nitrogen;
  • Blossoming - multimineral complex;
  • Ovary formation - phosphorus.
  • Before winter dormancy - potassium.

reproduction

During the completion life cycle tree (8-9 years), it is recommended to separate the strongest parts of the plant and propagate by cuttings. New flowers will retain all properties mother plant and will delight the owner for many years.

You can not propagate, but rejuvenate the plant by complete cleaning to the trunk. This method is preferable for use by experienced flower growers.


Growing problems

Among the problems when growing a coffee tree, one can encounter such a nuisance as diseases. For example, coffee rust. main reason - improper care, untimely removal of dead parts, violation of the water regime.

Attention! After acquiring new houseplants of any kind, a quarantine period must be observed to avoid infection. home greenhouse. To do this, keep the newly brought flower in a separate room for at least two weeks, with constant monitoring for the presence of diseases.

The leaves turn black

If the leaves of the coffee tree turn black, the likely cause of such an ailment is non-compliance temperature regime. The black edging on the sheet indicates freezing earthy coma and the presence of drafts at the location of the flowerpot. The way to fix the problem is simple - choose a good place for the flower.

Another reason is soot fungus. It is necessary to remove the affected leaves from the branches and spray with fungicides.

Leaves dry

Do coffee tree leaves dry? Main reason - low humidity air in the room. When growing exotic plants from tropical countries It is recommended to install a household humidifier. Or spray daily.


Leaves may dry out due to low indoor humidity.

Brown spots on leaves

When brown spots on the leaves, it is worth washing the leaves soapy water. This will help destroy possible pests- fungi. They also carry out a sanitary cleaning of the plant from the affected leaves and spray it with an antifungal drug.

Leaves turn yellow

With yellowing of the leaves, simultaneous yellowing of the tree trunk is observed due to bacterial damage. Control measures - stripping the bark and treatment with a drug against bacteria.

Why doesn't the coffee tree bloom?

The coffee tree does not bloom only because of non-compliance with the water or temperature regime, excessive acidity of the soil, and lack of top dressing.

The coffee tree is growing fast enough. With proper care, the first flowers appear 3 years after planting the seeds, 2 after cuttings.

When to expect the harvest

The first period of fruit harvesting from a coffee tree depends on the way it is planted. Flowers grown from seeds bear fruit 3-5 years after planting. Propagation by cuttings gives the desired result for 2-3 years after planting.

It is clear that caring for a coffee tree is a simple but exciting process. The main reward for the grower will be fragrant inflorescences and exotic fruits. And a cup of coffee from our own plantation will surprise any guest!

Each of us loves to please ourselves with a small cup of delicious coffee. Someone prefers tart and strong, someone - sweet, with the addition of milk. Whatever our tastes and preferences, coffee is considered one of the best appetizing and tonic drinks of our time.

Although the homeland of the coffee tree is distant and hot Africa, it can be grown in our rather cool climate. True, in greenhouses or at home. The coffee plant will delight its owner not only with a pleasant rich drink, but also with an exotic appearance that blends harmoniously with the home interior.

What is the effective cultivation of a houseplant coffee? Caring for it, optimal growing conditions, reproduction and transplantation of seedlings - you will find all this in our article.

What varieties are best planted at home? Where should you start? And what is necessary for rapid growth and abundant fruit ripening? Let's find out.

Suitable varieties

In total, there are about a hundred varieties of the coffee tree, and only fifty of them bear fruits suitable for fragrant drink. The Arabica coffee plant is best suited for home cultivation. It is unpretentious in care and bears fruit with edible fragrant grains.

Appearance

The home coffee plant differs from its free-growing relative primarily in height. In apartment conditions, it grows up to one and a half meters and brings about half a kilogram of small, tart grains per season.

The branches of this evergreen tree are flexible and spreading, the leaves are dark green, pointed at both ends. blooms home plant coffee with delicate white or cream inflorescences twice a year - in spring and summer.

For changing small flowers small round fruits come, resembling cherries in their color. Their color range can range from pale pink to burgundy, from yellow to cherry.

Within these unusual berries there is an edible sweetish pulp, as well as several light green grains, which later, after frying, will take on the traditional dark brown color.

How to grow this exotic indoor plant - Arabica coffee (care for which so scares many amateur flower growers)?

There are two ways to propagate it - through seeds and using cuttings.

Preparing seeds for planting

If you decide to grow a homemade arabica coffee plant from seeds, then you can either buy them in specialized stores or extract them from ripe fruits. Required amount grains should be prepared from such a calculation: out of ten seeds, only two or three seedlings grow.

Since the shell of coffee beans is very strong and hard, you need to follow a few simple but important recommendations:

  1. Soak the seeds in cold water for two hours.
  2. Carefully remove or cut the shell.
  3. For five hours, pour the grains with a growth-stimulating solution (“Epin”, “Kornevin”, “Zircon”).

What kind of soil should the seeds be placed in? Let's figure this out together.

Preparation of different types of soil

For better and faster growth of the coffee tree, it is recommended to use loose soil, consisting of several types.

If we are talking about the primary planting of seeds and cuttings, then the composition of the soil should be as follows:

  • Leaf land.
  • River sand.
  • Sod land.

Before planting the grains, the soil substrate must be sterilized in a water bath for five minutes.

Seeds must be planted on the surface of the earth, slightly pressing them down.

If all conditions are met, then in a month and a half the first sprouts will appear. After the appearance of leaves, the young seedling can be transplanted into another soil. What should be its composition?

Land for permanent cultivation coffee tree should combine such components, taken in equal quantities: sour peat, humus, leafy soil, sand, charcoal, moss.

Transplantation of seedlings should be carried out in a pot big size so as not to interfere with the root system to develop and absorb necessary elements. This procedure is recommended to be carried out annually during the first three years of the tree's life. Then it will be possible to transplant it once every three years.

But what if you want to start growing a coffee plant from cuttings?

Preparing seedlings

The very first and important condition- it is necessary to carefully and carefully cut the cutting from an adult tree, and then dip it into the water. When the first roots appear, the coffee shoot can be transplanted into the ground (which is described above), deepening no more than three centimeters.

Planting seedlings is the most reliable way growing coffee, since the survival rate of shoots is almost one hundred percent, and fruiting occurs the very next year.

So the landing is done. Therefore, a completely logical question arises: what conditions must be met in order to grow a healthy and productive tree?

Light and temperature

In order for the plant to take root, it is necessary to observe a certain temperature and light regime. For example, the air in the room should not fall below twenty degrees Celsius, and the pot of coffee should be placed on the windowsill on the sunny side.

Light is very important for a coffee tree, so during the period of cold weather, rains and even ordinary cloudy days, a fluorescent lamp should be directed at the plant.

It is not recommended to turn the tree pot by sunbeams. It will improve it appearance, but will negatively affect fruiting. The coffee tree should be entirely in the light of warm sunlight.

Watering the sprouts

Is there anything else needed for the effective growth of a coffee plant? Care, which will be required in the future, will not take you much time and effort.

First of all, the tree will need high-quality watering. Water for irrigation should be defended and used only in a warm form (a few degrees above the room temperature). Rain or melt water, rich in useful substances and micronutrients.

During the hot period, Arabica coffee is very fond of weekly spraying, similar to rain irrigation. This feeds not only its root system, but also the stem, leaves and even fruits.

Once a month, during watering, you can add a few drops of vinegar or lemon juice, which will make the soil more acidic, and therefore more fertile for the variety we have chosen.

How often should the plant be watered? This must be done as the soil dries out, so that the earth does not dry out. However, in this case, it is important to follow one more detail: the roots of the tree should not be in constant moisture.

Nutritious top dressing of trees

Should I fertilize the coffee plant? Of course, and it is advised to do this regularly, starting in March and ending in September.

Fertilizers are applied once every one to two weeks, which can effectively stimulate the growth, development and fruiting of the coffee tree.

What is included in the concept quality dressings? First of all, it is organic matter (water infusion of mullein or humus), as well as mineral fertilizers(nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium).

There are several ways to feed a plant. useful vitamins and minerals:

  • external method (fertilizer is applied to the leaves);
  • root liquid (necessary substances dissolve in water and pour onto the soil);
  • basal solid (poorly soluble minerals are applied to the surface of the soil, after which, under the influence of regular watering, they penetrate into the ground and feed the tree).

What else should you know about caring for a coffee plant?

Susceptibility to diseases and pests

  • Fungus. To treat the plant, it is recommended to spray it with specialized antifungal drugs.
  • root rot. To heal a tree, you should get rid of the affected roots, and replace the soil in the pot with a new one.
  • Coffee rust, bean drill. In order to get rid of pests, coffee must be processed insecticides. In accordance with preventive measures, this procedure can be carried out every six months.

Benefits of the coffee tree

As you can see, caring for a coffee plant is easy. To do this, it is not necessary to follow any expensive or unusual measures and procedures.

Only a few principles should be taken into account: the tree loves lighting and a variety of soils, it is quite unpretentious and thermophilic. Therefore, with only a little effort and money, you can grow a beautiful, exotic plant in your room that will decorate your home. home interior, pleases the heart pleasant aroma and amazing drink.

According to some studies, the coffee tree is both an effective oxygen extractor and an effective air purifier of harmful chemical compounds (benzene, phenol, trichlorethylene, formaldehyde).

Moreover, the Arabica plant brings great benefits due to its tart, pleasant drink, which has a beneficial effect on the entire human body. Coffee tones and refreshes, invigorates and brings pleasure, improves memory and potency. It is used for medical and cosmetic purposes for anti-cellulite, anti-aging and scrubbing products.

According to some studies, a properly prepared cup of coffee will help prevent such serious and dangerous diseases as diabetes, nervous disorders, and hepatitis.

Of course, it is important not to abuse the drink. One or two servings a day will be enough. Moreover, coffee is contraindicated in children under the age of twelve, pregnant and lactating women, people with cardiovascular diseases.