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| Coffee can't grow well in hot climates. |
The process that every cup of coffee undergoes through to end up on our tables is seen as an art by many people. It’s a long, carefully crafted practice that begins with growing trees and harvesting the gifts of nature. Today, coffee has been transformed into a worldwide industry that has distanced us from those very first steps. Now, we barely think about the way beans are produced. Fortunately, coffee trees are not only perfect for satisfying our caffeine cravings whenever we want by growing our own coffee beans, but they also make for some wonderful plants for our garden, and it’s an excellent way to connect with our roots.
However, coffee can’t grow in all climate conditions, and although it’s a fairly easy plant to tend to, there are some details that should be taken into account if you want your tree to be strong and healthy. Are you ready to grow your own coffee and enjoy the benefits of your efforts and hard work? We’re sure that those cups will be like nothing you’ve ever tasted before. Follow these tips and give it a go!
Climate conditions
As you might already know, coffee never does well in hot, dry areas. They need very specific amounts of water and sunshine to grow healthy. Temperatures between 21°C and 22°C, 1,800 hours of sunshine annually, and a yearly rainfall between 1,500 and 2,000 mm are perfect for arabica seeds. In case there isn’t enough water, or there’s too much sunlight, you can plant coffee under shade trees to make up for the lack of humidity.
When it comes to the soils, they should stay moist and have good drainage. You can set it on a water-filled pebble tray to keep the humidity. Use organic potting soil that’s rich in nutrients as well. When the winter comes, you need to keep your plants from freezing temperatures. They won’t need as much water as in the summer. Coffee trees love the shade, so make sure to provide an indirect source of morning light.
Seeds
Seedlings that are planted in small pots or bags will have development problems in their roots. Use 17 cm x 23 cm as the ideal size at first. Once it’s grown and its roots have spread, you can move it to a 30 cm pot. You can use nitrogen to help it keep growing. If you want your tree to keep going up, tall and strong, then move it to an even larger pot.
You also need to make sure that your seeds are fresh. They shouldn’t be older than 3 months old. Fresh seeds should germinate in 2.5 months, but old seeds can take as long as 6 months. It is advisable to pre-germinate the seeds. For this, soak the coffee seeds in water for 24 hours. Then sow the seeds in damp sand. You can also place the seeds between moist coffee sacks, which should be watered twice a day and drained well.
Daily care
A happy coffee plant can grow up to 6 feet tall. Provide enough space for the plant and fertilize it once every two to three months in the spring and summer. It can take around 3 or 5 years for the plant to fully mature and start producing coffee berries. Unless you take really good care of all conditions in which the plant grows, you shouldn’t expect high-quality coffee. It’s possible to do it, but you need to take it seriously.
Water the tree twice per week in what is known as a full watering and a half watering. In a half watering, simply add some water to the soil and allow it to drain. In a full watering, add water, allow it to drain, and then add water with fertilizer and allow it to drain once more. Arabica coffee pollinates itself, so you don’t need to worry about that.
In any case, coffee plants produce a very sweet aroma and good shade that will give a great touch to your yard or garden. If you can grow more than just one, then you might be able to produce your own coffee and go as organic as you can when it comes to your coffee consumption. Have you ever tried to grow your own coffee trees? Tell us about it at That Coffee Roasters!
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