Coffee grows in the form of small trees. This is an evergreen plant with hard grain-like fruits (the photo shows that they ripen like berries). They can be of different colors - from burgundy to dark brown.
The coffee tree grows only in warm countries. It has several species, but even more are hybrid varieties that have become more widespread. Some can be grown at home.
General information about the coffee tree
Ethiopia is considered the birthplace of coffee. The plant is an evergreen. The height of trees in natural conditions reaches 10 m, and on plantations - 2.5 m. The branches are shortened to facilitate care and harvesting.
For cultivation at home, plants up to 1 m high are used. Coffee blooms from mid-spring to mid-autumn.
Beneficial features
Grains contain vitamins:
- IN 1;
- AT 2;
- RR.
The seeds contain macro- and microelements:
- iron;
- potassium;
- phosphorus;
- sodium;
- calcium;
- magnesium.
The seeds contain iron, potassium and phosphorus.
Caffeine benefits the body. It relieves headaches. The substance tones the brain, having a stimulating effect. Caffeine helps with nervous exhaustion and increased fatigue.
Tree structure
You can recognize the plant in the photo by its spreading branches. The berries located on them resemble bunches of grapes.
Fruit
The oblong or spherical fruit is called a cherry. After flowering ends, ripening lasts up to 8 months.
The cherry turns a bright red color. It contains from 1 to 3 seeds. The size of the berry does not exceed 1.5 cm.
Root system
The structure of the root system is taproot. The depth of germination depends on the type of coffee. Robusta roots have a depth of no more than 2 m. Arabica grows at 2.5-3 m.
Flowers
The white flowers have a scent reminiscent of jasmine. The presence of male and female characteristics allows self-pollination. Inflorescences are arranged in bunches.
The flowers of the coffee tree have a strong aroma.
Crown
The height of the crown depends on the type of coffee. In the Congolese variety, it does not exceed 2 m. In Arabica, the crown height reaches 6 m. The branches of the tree are inclined to the ground.
Leaves
The leaves have a glossy surface. Their lifespan ranges from 3 to 5 years. The oval leaves reach 20 cm in length and 5 cm in width. The venation is pinnately uneven, reticulate.
The benefits and harms of coffee
Coffee is a wonderful, invigorating drink. It’s wonderful to wake up in the morning and feel its enchanting aroma.
What harm is there from coffee?
The debate about whether there is more benefit or harm in coffee has been going on ever since people learned about it. Some prove that coffee excites, increases muscle tone, stimulates physical activity, clarifies thoughts, and improves mood. And this list goes on and on.
Opponents of coffee claim that it increases blood pressure and cholesterol. However, it has been proven that if you pass the brewed drink through a paper filter or napkin, coffee becomes safe. A paper filter removes kahweol and cafestol from the drink, substances that increase cholesterol levels in the blood. Whether coffee is harmful or healthy is up to everyone to decide for themselves.
Important! If you decide to brew a cup of coffee from grown beans, remember that it will be much stronger and there will be more caffeine in such a drink.
As for the coffee tree in your home, we can safely say that it will only benefit you.
What are the benefits of coffee?
The plant cleanses the air well and saturates it with oxygen. Its beautiful appearance lifts your spirits, and by inhaling the aroma of flowers you can practice aromatherapy.
Popular varieties
Scientists count more than 100 types of coffee. Plantation owners often cultivate Arabian and Congolese varieties. Hybrids of these varieties are also grown.
Arabian
The Arabian variety has become widespread. It blooms 2 times a year. Under natural conditions, Arabica reaches 7-8 m in height.
For home breeding, a dwarf variety is used, the height of which does not exceed 0.8 m.
Congolese
Congolese coffee is called Robusta, which means “strong”, “strong”. The variety is resistant to diseases and pests. Robusta is easy to care for and has high yields. The Congolese variety has a higher caffeine content. But its taste is lower than that of other varieties. Robusta is added to coffee blends.
Congolese coffee is easy to care for.
Liberian
The variety was discovered in Liberia. The first plantation appeared in 1864. Coffee was first planted in the Philippines. He was then transported to Indonesia. Here, the Liberian variety replaced the Arabica, which was destroyed by bad weather conditions. The grains have a strong aroma, but have a weak taste. For this reason they are used in mixtures. The caffeine content of the Liberian variety is reduced.
Classification
Types and varieties of coffee are different concepts. The first refers to the plants themselves (“mother”), which were used to create new trees with different characteristics. A variety is a hybrid obtained through selection. This concept is also used to refer to a product that is presented on the market.
| Main types of coffee | Description |
| Arabica | This type is not only the most common, but also considered the best. The coffee turns out very tasty, with a pleasant aroma. However, the tree is capricious and grows only in a warm, favorable climate. Can withstand slight temperature changes. Arabica beans are long, smooth, and have a low amount of caffeine. The drink is slightly sour. |
| Robusta | Beans of this type contain a large amount of caffeine, and the drink is bitter. Robusta is most often added to various mixtures to make them stronger. The grains are small, with a dividing groove and small spots. |
| Liberica | Rarely used for export. Coffee is most often consumed in the country where it is grown. The main plantations of this species are located in Africa. Liberica is not for everyone. This coffee has a slightly spicy and bitter taste. Therefore, the drink is rarely drunk in its pure form; it is often added to other mixtures. This gives them an unusual taste and pleasant aroma. |
| Excelsa | This is the rarest type of tree. It can grow up to 20 m. The grains are collected manually. This species has excellent taste and rich aroma. |
There are more than 30 dozen varieties of coffee. Their main difference is taste. Arabica and Brazilian coffee are in greatest demand.
Features of growing at home
When growing coffee at home, they pay attention not only to the frequency of watering, the quality of fertilizer, but also to the choice of location. The window sill is only suitable for seedlings. The growing tree needs to be transplanted into a tub. It is unacceptable to leave the pot near heating devices. The sun's rays should not fall on it.
Coffee does not tolerate movement well, so you need to move it away from its usual place gradually. For example, the potty is placed on a chair next to the window. It is left there for several days. Then the chair must be moved 2 steps. Here he remains for another 2-3 days, etc.
The first harvest should not be eaten or used for making drinks. It is advisable to use the seeds for growing trees.
Placement nuances
The tropical origin of the plant does not mean that it must be placed in a south-facing window under the scorching sun. In excessively hot conditions, the tree runs the risk of not blooming. It is better to protect the plant from direct rays, but organize the lighting carefully.
If the location of the room faces north or west, then the flower is placed on the windowsill. In rooms facing south and east, the pot is removed from the window opening up to 1.5 m.
Be sure to remember that the coffee bush should not change its location. Turn the pot with the “pet” once every five years. To make the formation of the bush symmetrical, it is permissible to install a mirror next to the plant that will not reflect direct sunlight.
Planting a coffee tree
Coffee trees are suitable for spacious apartments and country houses. If several plants are in the same room, a distance of at least 1 m is established between plants.
Choosing a pot
The choice of pot depends on the diameter of the root system. Large containers should not be used. In such a pot, putrefactive processes and acidification of the soil are observed. The container in which the plant is planted should exceed the diameter of the root system by no more than 5 cm.
The size of the plant's root system affects the choice of pot.
Priming
Slightly acidic clay soil is suitable for coffee trees. It is advisable to purchase a ready-made substrate. You can prepare the soil yourself by mixing river sand, peat, humus and garden soil. The components are combined in equal proportions. The soil intended for planting azaleas and gardenias is also used as a substrate for coffee.
Plant care tips
Coffee is considered a capricious plant, sensitive to improper care. But if the necessary conditions are met, the tree bears fruit for many years.
Temperature
It is advisable that the temperature in the room where the seedlings are located does not exceed +25ºC. In winter, the thermometer should not fall below +12ºC. If the room temperature is above +25ºC, you need to ensure that the humidity does not fall below 65%.
Lighting
The plant is not a light-loving plant. The pot is placed on the north or west window. If a tree located in the shade does not bloom, it is worth moving it to a room facing the sunny side.
The coffee tree is not light-loving.
Watering
In the warm season, the tree is watered up to 3 times a week. In early spring, late autumn and winter, it is enough to moisten the soil once every 7 days. It is necessary to increase the frequency of watering at the first signs of wilting, which is indicated by dryness and yellowing of the leaves.
Feeding and fertilizer
Coffee requires several types of fertilizers. In spring, plants need nitrogen fertilizing. In the summer months, monosubstituted potassium phosphate should be added to the soil. In late autumn and winter, fertilizers are not applied. Watering during this period is reduced to once every 10 days.
Regardless of the time of year, the soil can be fertilized with citric acid. To prepare the fertilizer, dissolve 1 g of the substance in 1 liter of water. Citric acid can be used no more than once a month.
Transfer
Trees under 3 years old need replanting, which is carried out every year. Old soil and a small amount of fresh soil are poured into the pot. It is advisable to replant in the same place where the plant is permanently located. This will help coffee adapt to new conditions faster. After transplantation, the leaves are moistened with a spray bottle for 1-1.5 weeks.
Replantation is carried out every year.
Trimming
Standard trees do not need pruning. After shortening, the branches stop growing. If the owner intends to shape the crown, it is necessary to wait until the tree reaches a height of 0.5-0.7 m.
Possible problems
Due to lack of moisture, the edges of the leaves darken and dry out. Then you need to spray the plant again or turn on the humidifier. From excessive watering, the foliage turns yellow, rots and falls off. Therefore, you need to reduce the amount of moisture or moisten the soil less often.
Other options:
- When the crown begins to turn yellow, this may indicate the appearance of root rot. Replanting with root treatment is needed.
- Brown spots indicate nitrogen deficiency. It needs to be replenished with fertilizers.
- If the leaves of a young tree turn yellow, but green veins remain, this indicates low acidity of the soil. Then you can add sphagnum moss to it.
- When holes appear in the leaves, these can be burns. Especially if the tree is in direct sunlight. Then it needs to be moved to a shaded place.
- Leaves fall in winter due to insufficient lighting. You need to turn on an additional lamp for several hours.
- The tree will grow slowly if you do not fertilize it regularly. The situation can be corrected by providing fertilizing in the required quantity.
- Leaves have yellow spots and wrinkle. This is a sign of potassium deficiency or the result of watering with hard water. It is necessary to apply the necessary fertilizer and use only settled water for irrigation.
- To get rid of brown or purple spots that appear when there is a deficiency of phosphorus in the soil, you need to apply fertilizer or replant the tree in citrus soil.
- A young tree may have leaves that are light yellow and small if it lacks iron. It is necessary to add the necessary fertilizer to the soil.
- If the tree becomes sick after transplantation due to exposed roots, then the pot is placed under a plastic bag. Water only once a week and spray daily. Feeding is temporarily stopped. Every 4 days, spray with “Epin” (2 drops of the drug are needed for 0.2 liters of water).
Among the pests, a tree can be affected by spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Then the plant is treated with insecticides.
The drug Fitoverm is usually used. Take 5 ml/0.5 l of water. The infected tree is sprayed twice, every 7-10 days.
If you are planning a trip, then in order to avoid the death of the tree, you need to prepare it. Remove all flowers and fruits so that it requires less moisture.
The tops of new shoots are pinched to stop their growth. Just before leaving, the tree is placed on a wet foam mat, which is first placed in a container of water. The drainage hole is loosely plugged with a piece of foam rubber.
If possible, you can buy it and connect it while the automatic watering device is unavailable.
Coffee grows both on plantations, in greenhouses, greenhouses, and at home (the photo shows dwarf trees). The plant is unpretentious in care. The main thing is to maintain temperature conditions, proper watering and fertilizing. At home, the tree rarely gets sick, and the risk of pest damage is reduced.
Is it possible to leave it while on vacation?
It is permissible to leave a houseplant without care during a business trip or vacation. However, the tree must be provided with a regular supply of moisture. You can buy a device for automatic watering. It will supply the soil with water for 14-20 days.
During the growing season, coffee requires more liquid. For this reason, it is worth removing the fruits and inflorescences.
An increase in moisture consumption is also observed during the growth of young shoots. To stop their development, you need to pinch the tops.
Products.
At the end of the 17th century. The Dutch introduced the coffee tree to Java, thereby laying the foundation for the East Indian coffee trade. Nowadays the coffee tree is also grown in many countries of the Western Hemisphere. There are between four and five billion coffee trees in South America; most of them are the offspring of seedlings brought to the island of Martinique at the beginning of the 18th century. the Frenchman Declier, specially sent there for this purpose by Louis XIV. Dekliye was so zealous about his mission that he saved most of the trip on water - just so that the plants would survive. From Martinique, seedlings came to French Guiana, and in 1722 to the Brazilian state of Pará. At the end of the 18th century. The Belgian monk Molke brought coffee seedlings to Rio de Janeiro.
The coffee tree is grown in almost all tropical and subtropical countries. The largest producers are Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mexico, Guatemala and India.
Reproduction methods
In addition to seeds, cuttings and the root system of coffee can be used for propagation. The first method is suitable for beginners. The second 2 are recommended for experienced gardeners.
Seeds
Fresh grains should be used. You can mix river sand with leaf soil. The soil must be sterilized. To do this, just keep it over steam for 15 minutes. Before planting, seeds are left in warm water for 2-2.5 hours. Then you need to make small cuts on them. This will soften the hard shell.
The coffee tree reproduces by seeds.
The seeds are only laid on the surface of the substrate. When buried in the ground they begin to rot. After planting, the seeds are watered and covered with plastic wrap. Ventilation is carried out 2-3 times a week. The film is removed for 2 hours. The first shoots sprout no earlier than after 6-8 weeks. Seedlings can be planted when the first leaves appear. Coffee will begin to bear fruit only after 3-4 years.
Vegetatively
For propagation, part of the root system is separated. It is necessary to choose a plant from 4-5 years old. Trees younger or older than this age may die when part of the root is separated. It is advisable to use this method in late autumn or early spring, when the movement of juices in the plant slows down. The detached part of the root is transplanted into a separate pot.
By cuttings
The length of the cuttings must be at least 8 cm. Each of them has 2 buds. The cuttings are planted in a container with loose soil, transferred to a warm room (with a temperature of 27ºC), and covered with plastic wrap. The soil is moistened with a spray bottle and ventilated daily for 2 hours. Replanting is possible when the coffee takes root.
Harvest Frequency
Coffee grows for the first 3-4 years after planting without flowering. Then the first ovaries appear (the photo shows how beautiful the flowering plantations are). But the fruits do not always ripen after the first flowering. More often the berries appear the second time.
The first full harvest can be obtained from a five-year-old tree. The fruits ripen from 8 to 11 months. The harvest is harvested once a year, but in the equatorial climate - three times. Maximum fruiting is observed from 8 to 16 years of tree life.
Disease and pest control
Trees often suffer from pests such as mealybugs, sooty fungus, scale insects and spider mites. Poor quality care leads to illness. In coffee there are:
- Leaf rotting. The problem is caused by overwatering. But if the leaves turn yellow and dry, the amount of liquid should be increased.
- The appearance of brown spots. This sign indicates a lack of nitrogen or phosphorus in the soil.
- The appearance of holes in the leaves. If pests are absent, perforation indicates sunburn.
- Slow growth. It is worth increasing the amount of fertilizers. The reason for slow growth may be lack of lighting.
- Yellowing of leaves. The roots should be checked for rotting. If green veins remain on yellow leaves, the soil has low acidity.
Prevention methods
To prevent the appearance of parasites, it is necessary to monitor the humidity of the room. Avoid dryness and drafts. At the same time, you also need to be wary of excess moisture. If cobwebs or white coating appear on the leaves, remove them with a soft sponge and a weak soap solution. The fertilizer used must contain all the necessary components. It is necessary to monitor the quality of the soil.
Buying a coffee tree in a store: what to look for
Arabian and Congolese varieties are more suitable for growing at home. It is advisable to buy mature coffee, the health of which can be assessed by the trunk. It is always thick and hard, but at the same time quite flexible. You need to pay attention to the leaves. They should be dark green, shiny, without visible damage.
A newly purchased tree must be isolated from other indoor plants for 3-4 weeks to avoid the transmission of parasites and diseases if present. Darkening or yellowing of leaves is not necessarily a sign of health problems. The cause of damage to greenery can be a change in environment or excess feeding.
Self-cultivation
Coffee grows (the photo shows adult dwarf varieties) at home in approximately the same way as in nature and does not create any special problems. The main thing is to follow the basic rules of care. In spring and summer, the plant is left at home and taken out to the balcony for the winter.
The photo shows how a coffee tree grows at home.
It is necessary to maintain air humidity above average, and during short sunny days equip with additional lighting.
The tree should be watered only with settled water. Twice a month you need to fertilize. Once every 3 years, the coffee tree is transferred to a larger pot. The plant must be protected from winds and drafts, avoid excessive watering, and in winter keep away from radiators and heating devices. For propagation, the method of growing from berries, seeds or cuttings is chosen.
