It is not necessary to be a florist with experience to grow a coffee tree at home. It is enough just to want. But, if you have undertaken the cultivation of such an exotic plant, believe me, the reward for all the labors will not only be the surprise and admiration of others. But also the harvest! And give his coffee tree can up to half a kilo of grains per year.
Exotics in the room
Despite the numerous plants of the genus of coffee, only half yields a crop of grains. For cultivation at home, only a few species are recommended, one of which is the Arabian tree. It is considered in the room culture as an "easy" plant. In general, coffee is a small evergreen tree. And only under good conditions and care can grow up to 1.5 meters. However, in the first years of life, it may seem that it will be small: an average increase of 15-20 cm. But over time, it begins an independent abundant branching, even without cropping. The coffee tree blossoms usually in spring and summer. But nevertheless its main advantage is berries. In form they resemble a small cherry, have a sweetish, absolutely edible flesh, and inside there are two light-green grains. The color of the berries, depending on the type of coffee, can be from pale pink and dark cherry to yellow. The first fruits begin to bore in September, and in November-December become glossy and suitable for use. Only this plant is short-lived. By the age of 10, it begins to age, lose decorativeness, the branches become weak and little leaves become. In this case, you can, of course, rejuvenate the coffee tree by cutting the crown 8 to 10 cm from the ground and forming a new one. But it is better to grow a young coffee tree.
Conditions for growth
As for all plants, for the coffee tree the main conditions for good growth and development are proper lighting, watering, top dressing and timely transplantation.
Lighting
The coffee tree is photophilous, which is why it needs to be placed on the southern window sill at home. Lack of light will lead to poor growth of the plant and its yield. He does not like the coffee tree to change its position relative to the falling rays. And then you have to choose. You need a thick, beautiful, evenly spreading crown, turning the plant, you will get it. And if the harvest - then it is better not to touch the coffee tree. A little different lighting is needed for a young plant. Well it will feel itself at the diffused solar beams and a high room temperature. Such conditions should be tried to create. Especially in the winter, when it's cold and there is not much light. During this period the plant will continue to grow only on the south side, where the light is greater and the temperature is 16-18 ° C, not lower than 14 ° C. In summer the plant perfectly tolerates a temperature of 22 - 24 ° C.
Watering
The coffee tree is unpretentious in watering. But this does not mean that it is not watered at all. On the contrary, they do it regularly, and in the summer - especially abundantly. In a hot time, do not forget to spray. And from spring to autumn, except for the flowering period, once a week they arrange a warm shower. Just do not forget that the water should be soft, settled, without lime. And necessarily slightly above room temperature. Another procedure that is desirable to be performed once a month is watering the plant with water diluted with 2-3 drops of vinegar or several crystals of citric acid. This will help maintain the weak acidity of the soil, so necessary for the plant.
Additional fertilizing
Spring and summer are the time of active growth and development of the coffee tree. Therefore, fertilizing in this period is simply necessary. Do them every 7 to 10 days. And most importantly, alternate water infusion Mullein, in a ratio of 1:10, and a full mineral fertilizer with microelements. Only depending on the pores of the year, increase the content of some element, and reduce the content of others. So, in the spring there is a large dose of nitrogen, in summer, when forming fruits, - phosphorus, in autumn - potassium. But in winter the plant is fed and does not need at all.
Transfer
Going to grow this plant, you need to remember that he has a well developed root system, so the pot should be taken high. To transplant the tree you need to once every two years in a container 2 to 3 cm more than the previous one. A young plant - every spring. Coffee tree needs clay, rich in organic and phosphorus, and also necessarily weakly acidic, air-and moisture-permeable soil. A mixture of garden soil, humus, peaty sour peat and river sand in proportions of 2: 1: 1: 2 is a good match. But if the plant is still very young, the amount of turf ground should be reduced. Also a good mixture will be a mixture of 4 parts of turf ground, 2 leaves, 1 part humus and 1 sand. And there must be good drainage at the bottom of the tank.
Trimming
Coffee tree is one of those plants, in an independent life of which it is extremely rare to interfere. For example, do not bother him with pruning. It can be carried out only when the bush becomes very large, and it will not have enough space for normal growth and development. Or you can periodically remove the side dried leaves from the very stalk of the covering sheet.
Reproduction
If you do not want to buy a plant in the store, you can take a grain, plant it, take care of it, and the coffee tree will grow. So often this plant is bred. The problem is only one thing: the germination of coffee seeds over time greatly decreases. The maximum period of their "life" is a year. This should be remembered, since out of a hundred grains, even in a few months, only a few will rise. But the plant, derived in this way, does not need to specially form the crown, but it will begin to bear fruit only for the third year and may not preserve the maternal properties.
Seeds are formed, of course, in the berries of a tree. Fruits are removed only fully ripe. The grains are cleaned of pulp and mucus, washed with water and soaked for half an hour in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Without delaying the case in a long box (otherwise the seeds lose their germination), you need to prepare a loose permeable substrate from leafy ground and washed river sand. Then it must be sterilized: hold it over boiling water for 5-10 minutes. On its surface, flatten the seeds. At this time, it is necessary to strictly observe the temperature regime, at least 20 ° C, and water abundantly. Shoots, if done correctly, should appear in a month and a half. As soon as several pairs of real leaves form on the shoots, the seedlings of the coffee tree are planted.
You can propagate this plant in another way - cuttings. But it is used very rarely, since cuttings poorly form roots. But there are also good sides: the coffee tree will begin to bear fruit the next year and will preserve all the maternal properties. True, it will slowly develop and form its own crown. With vegetative reproduction from last year's shoot, cut the stem with two nodes. Then it is lowered for several hours into a solution of heteroauxin (1 tablet per liter) and planted in a substrate consisting of a mixture of the 1st part of peat and the first sand, deepen by 2 to 3 cm. And as soon as new leaves appear, the plant caught on.
The most common problems
Always look closely at the coffee tree, otherwise you will not notice how the leaves begin to dry out, the fruits fall off, and the tree itself dies. This can be caused by pests or diseases, but most often by improper care. The coffee tree usually suffers from this crown. For example, the leaves began to discolor, the cause is not acid soil. Or their tips dry, for sure the room is too dry air, and the tree just does not have enough moisture. But if they turned yellow and brown spots appeared on them, you must necessarily plant the plant - it received sunburn. With too much watering, the leaves will begin to rot and fall off. Growing a coffee tree at home, observe the proper care. Look closely at the plant more often, and boast of your own growing coffee.