Not only coffee lovers enjoy having their own coffee tree in their garden. However, out of a total of around 60 types of coffee, only Coffea arabica is suitable as a source of beans for the production of the popular hot drink; this coffee bush unfolds white, fragrant flowers about three or four years after successful cultivation. Then the typical coffee beans are formed, which are initially green, later red and finally black. A decorative plant that can reach a height of two or three meters, the Coffea arabica plant embellishes any green space.
Table of Contents
site selection
In order for the coffee tree to thrive optimally, the location should be carefully selected. Very bright areas in the garden are suitable during the summer months. However, the plant should never be permanently exposed to the blazing midday sun. The plant thrives particularly well at temperatures between 20 and 25°C. The chosen location should allow sufficient air movement without the coffee tree being exposed to constant drafts.
In principle, the coffee bush can also be cultivated indoors in summer; However, it has proven useful to leave the plant outdoors during this time, since insects pollinate the flowers in the garden. When cultivating indoors, it is necessary to pollinate manually using a brush. As an indoor plant, the Coffea arabica plant prefers a place on the windowsill. The orientation of the window plays an important role here; if the plant is cultivated on the windowsill of a south-facing window, there is a risk of direct sunlight. For this reason, it is good practice to choose a window that faces either east or west. Alternatively, the coffee bush also feels at home in a greenhouse. Does not matter,
Substrate
In addition to the ideal site conditions, a suitable substrate also contributes to the thriving of the plant. In this context, similar properties must be taken into account, which also serve for soils for the cultivation of azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons:
- nutritious
- fumes
- slightly sour
When cultivating the coffee bush, increased permeability of the substrate used plays a special role; it is very important that irrigation water can drain away. For this reason, either perlite or KokoHum can be added to conventional garden soil. Alternatively, it is worth trying compost-based potting soil. It has also proven useful to lay a drainage layer on the bottom of the planter. For this purpose, you can place the Coffea arabica plant on pebbles that lie in a saucer. In this way, the roots are not constantly in contact with the moisture.
Watering, fertilizing, cutting – caring for the coffee bush
The watering is done carefully so that the coffee bush is supplied with sufficient moisture on the one hand and on the other hand it is not over-wetted. During the summer months, watering is pervasive, allowing the entire root area to soak up the liquid. Then wait a few days until the bale has dried well before watering again. In order to achieve a high level of humidity, it has proven useful to additionally spray the plant with water. Standing water must be avoided at all costs. Water that is low in lime, such as rainwater, is particularly suitable for watering the coffee tree.
An additional supply of nutrients through a special fertilizer occurs only during the growth phase and at most until the end of August. The plant is fertilized once a week, giving preference to low-lime fertilizers. Products that are offered in liquid form are particularly suitable.
The coffee bush does not necessarily have to be cut. However, if the plant becomes too large, a targeted pruning is suitable, which is best done in spring. During this measure, numerous cuttings can be obtained, which can be used for propagation. In addition, the plant can be repotted regularly. The best time for this is early spring before the first budding. Then you put the coffee tree in larger vessels.
wintering
As soon as the nights get colder, the Coffea arabica plant has to be prepared for hibernation. Under no circumstances should the plant remain outdoors during the cold season, because the coffee bush is not frost-resistant. With regard to the ideal temperature, the following aspects must be taken into account:
- ideal temperatures: between 15 and 22°C
- at lower temperatures the leaves curl up
- Floor heat: 16°C
During the winter months, a bright location should be sought for the coffee bush. Watering is done very cautiously during this period. The coffee tree is watered just enough to keep the root ball from drying out. However, you have to pay attention to optimal humidity, especially in winter; especially when the plant is near a heater, the plant is particularly at risk. In order to compensate for the hot and dry air from the heating, it has proven useful to additionally spray the coffee tree with water. Again, make sure that the water is preferably soft.
propagation and sowing
Coffee plants can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. However, sowing is often problematic, since only fresh seeds can be used. Older seeds, on the other hand, have difficulties germinating. If the seeds have been stored for more than four weeks, they are no longer viable at all.
Before sowing can take place, the silver skin of the coffee bean must be removed. The seeds are then planted a maximum of one centimeter deep in the ground. Special growing soil or coconut substrates are particularly suitable as a substrate. Care should be taken to ensure that the soil is nutrient-poor. After placing the seeds in the soil, the seeds are watered with lukewarm water. Regular watering should also be ensured in the subsequent period; however, the substrate, which should be quite moist, must not get constantly wet. Re-watering may only take place when the soil has already dried a little. In order for germination to be successful, ideal environmental conditions should be created. This includes above all a lot of light and a lot of heat. It has therefore proven useful
It can also be sufficient to put a plastic bag over the seed. Now the seeds should be watched carefully; as soon as seedlings appear, the location should be brighter and not exposed to direct sunlight. At around 25°C ambient temperature, germination is usually complete within four weeks. As soon as the seedlings have reached a height of about three centimeters, you can remove the cover. During the subsequent separation, only the strongest specimens remain. These will continue to be watered moderately and once a month supplied with nutrients by a liquid fertilizer. Only when the young coffee plants have reached a height of seven to ten centimeters are they transferred to compost soil. Then you can treat the Coffea arabica plant like an adult coffee tree.
Propagation via cuttings
When propagating via cuttings, the shoot tips are always used, but they should not come from a side shoot, so that the growth form is as straight as possible. The shoot should also show slight woody growths on the underside. To prepare the cutting, remove all leaves except those that have just formed on the tip of the shoot. Now the cuttings can be placed in pots with special potting soil. Even when propagating via cuttings, it is necessary to ensure optimal environmental conditions. These include, above all, high humidity and sufficient heat. Overall, you should spend the seed tray in a rather shady location.
pests
Zu den klassischen Schädlingen des Kaffeebaumes gehören Schuldläuse, die anhand ihres charakteristischen Schadbildes leicht zu erkennen sind:
- Schilde auf den Blättern (napfförmig oder deckelförmig)
- krustenartige Beläge
- klebrige Ausscheidungen von Honigtau
Um die Pflanze vor einem Befall zu schützen, lohnt sich vorbeugend der Einsatz natürlicher Feinde, zum Beispiel Marienkäfer oder Schlupfwespen. Bei einem akuten Befall reinigt man die befallenen Pflanzenteile mit einer Zahnbürste, so dass die Schilde abfallen. Darüber hinaus haben sich spezielle Spritzungen bewährt, zum Beispiel auf Basis von Paraffinöl oder Rapsöl.
Auch vor Spinnmilben ist der Kaffeestrauch nicht gefeit. Ist die Pflanze von dem Schädling befallen, sind ab dem Frühjahr zahlreiche helle Pünktchen auf den Blättern zu erkennen – Saugmale, die sich wie Sprenkel über das gesamte Blatt verteilen. Durch die eindringende Luft wirken die Saugstellen silbrig, bevor sie später zu grauen Flecken verschmelzen. Im weiteren Verlauf des Befall rollen sich die Blätter ein und fallen schließlich ab. Bei der Bekämpfung von Spinnmilben kommen ebenfalls Insektizide auf Ölbasis zum Einsatz; als vorbeugende Maßnahme kann sich auch das gezielte Einbringen von natürlichen Feinden wie Laufkäfer, Raubmilben oder Raumwanzen lohnen.
When the spot miner moth attacks the coffee bush, patches of lightening with brown edges can usually be seen on individual parts of the plant. Miner moths also leave serpentine burrows with caterpillars at the wide ends. Affected leaves must always be removed; if necessary, insecticides can also help.
Diseases
Among gardeners, however, it is not the pests that are feared, but coffee rust as a frequently occurring disease. The disease caused by the rust fungus causes typical light yellow spots reminiscent of rust, especially on the leaves of young plants. The leaves become necrotic and die off within a short time. Under the coffee trees are the extensive carpets with the shed leaves. Occurrence can be influenced by the level of nitrogen fertilization. Fungicides that contain the active ingredient triadimefon or consist of various copper compounds also help. The hyperparasite Verticillium hemileiae can also help.
Last but not least, the conditions during the cultivation of the coffee tree can also contribute to the development of disease symptoms. Changes in the leaves in particular can provide information about incorrect care of the plant. If the leaves turn yellow or brown, for example, this can be caused by too much water during the resting phase or by a location that is too dark. If the leaves show discoloration during the summer months, a small amount of evaporation can also be the cause; in addition, an increased water supply and lack of light also play a role. Especially in winter, special plant radiators can help against locations that are too dark, for example spotlights or neon tubes.
Conclusion
Coffee trees in your own garden are a very special highlight for every plant lover. However, some previous knowledge is required for cultivation to be successful; However, once the cultivation has been successful, passionate hobby gardeners can enjoy the decorative plant for a long time, which creates a very special atmosphere in the garden with its aromatic coffee scent.