How does a coffee tree propagate at home? Coffee, or coffee tree Arabica coffee flower care at home.

Many people may think that Arabica coffee is... indoor plant, the care of which can only be carried out by specialists. However, this exotic southern plant can increasingly be found on home windowsills. Growing a coffee tree has its own characteristics, one of which is that the first harvest can only be harvested several years after planting. However, this flower can become beautiful on its own. decorative decoration apartment or office.

What does coffee look like?

Arabica coffee (coffea arabica) - perennial shrub or a compact tree belonging to the Rubiaceae family. Its homeland is Africa and Asia, but it is grown under cultural and domestic conditions in many countries. The tree can reach 1.5 m in height. Coffee has a thick, lush crown, leaves are rich green, oblong-pointed, up to 15 cm long. They are located oppositely on flexible, slightly branching shoots. The surface of the leaves is glossy, with well-defined veins. The root system of the Arabica coffee plant is branched, with a long central root.

Flowers and fruits are especially decorative. The flowers of the coffee tree are star-shaped, reminiscent of jasmine, the petals are white, with a strong pleasant aroma, collected in inflorescences of 3-6 pieces. The buds begin to bloom in the spring. The plant fades quickly, after 1-2 days. After six months, fruits are formed in their place, shaped like oblong cherries. They are usually red or black. Each cherry contains 2 coffee beans.

Growing coffee will require the organization of certain conditions. However, the effort expended will be more than repaid due to the decorativeness of the bush. First of all, coffee is a solitary tree; it does not tolerate other plants around it. Therefore, you need to either allocate a separate window sill for it, or place a single cabinet for the plant not far from the window. At the same time, the flower does not like frequent movements, so the place should be permanent. And it’s better if there is a lot of free space around. In addition, the plant should not be rotated, especially during flowering, as the buds may fall off.

Arabica coffee at home, as well as in natural conditions, is very demanding of light. It is best if it is bright, but diffused lighting without direct sun rays. South and east windows - perfect option.

In the warm season, coffee trees also do well outdoors - on the balcony, on summer cottage. However, you need to provide them with light shelter from the sun to ultra-violet rays did not burn the crown.

IN winter time the plant needs additional lighting halogen or fluorescent lamps.

If the lighting in the apartment is weak, then a coffee tree may not bloom or bear fruit.

Temperature is also very important. Since coffee comes from the tropics, it does not tolerate cold weather. Minimum temperature the room should not be below 20°C, especially in winter. Optimal temperature— +22…+24ºC. In winter, it is better to keep the plant away from heating sources to avoid drying out and falling leaves.

The coffee tree loves fresh air, so it is advisable to ventilate the room more often.

To successfully care for coffee, it is important to water the tree properly. It is very demanding of moisture, especially during the period of growth, flowering and fruit formation:

• You can’t water a flower with tap water; it needs to sit for at least 1-2 days;
• the plant does not like lime, this also needs to be taken into account when watering;
• moisten the soil in the pot only with water room temperature or 2-3ºC higher - both in winter and summer;
• If there is liquid left in the pan after watering, it must be removed.

The earth ball in the pot should always remain moist. The amount of water is increased in proportion to the increase in temperature in the room. Water regularly, but make sure that the water does not stagnate. The soil should never be allowed to dry out completely.

In winter, watering is reduced, but care is taken to ensure that the tree does not lack water.

Indoor coffee loves spraying warm water. Moreover, this can be done daily, especially in the warm season. It is better to spray in the morning or evening hours. In winter, the plant does not need this procedure, but if the foliage is dusty, you can wipe the leaves with a damp sponge.

Have a beneficial effect mineral supplements. They usually begin at the beginning of the growing season - in the spring - and are carried out until the flower bears fruit. It is recommended to fertilize 2 times a month with complex mineral fertilizer. You can feed with nitrogen and potassium salts at the rate of 3 g of potassium salt and 5 g of ammonium nitrate per 1 liter of water. The optimal rate for an adult plant is 1 liter per feeding time. You can combine mineral salts with organic matter (slurry), but the result must be observed. With the onset of autumn, feeding is stopped.

Reproduction and transplantation

At home, Arabica coffee is propagated by seeds and cuttings. It is believed that the first method is more productive, since shoots taken from an adult plant are prone to poor root formation. Experts say that reproduction can be done at any time of the year.

The main feature of propagation by seeds is that they must be of exceptional freshness. It is believed that seeds that have just been picked from the tree have the greatest germination rate. They are immediately planted in the ground. The maximum shelf life for seed material is 1 year. Every year the germination rate gets worse.

Coffee seeds are green coffee beans. They can be purchased at the store or picked from a fruit-bearing tree. Each seed has a very dense skin, which makes germination difficult. To speed up the emergence of seedlings, grains can be:

• soak in a very weak solution of acetic acid for 24 hours;
• lightly cut the peel around the perimeter with a sharp knife;
• Lightly tap the seed with a hammer so that the skin bursts a little.

After these procedures, it is imperative to soak the seeds in a stimulating solution, for example Heteroauxin.

Sowing is done in small containers filled with a nutrient mixture. Coffee prefers acidic soils rich in humus. The soil for sowing consists of light turf soil - 1 part, leaf soil- 0.5 parts and coarse river sand- 1 part. Each seed is immersed in the substrate to a depth of no more than 2 cm. The soil is moistened and covered with glass or film. The soil temperature for germination must be at least 20ºC. It is better to keep such greenhouses on the sunny side of the window, and provide additional lighting in winter. Crops are periodically moistened and ventilated. With proper care, young coffee sprouts should emerge within a month.

As soon as the plants get stronger, they are planted in pots with a diameter of 5-7 cm with the same soil composition. This usually happens 10-12 months after seedlings appear. As soon as the roots of young trees are well entwined with an earthen ball, they need to be transferred to permanent pots with the composition of the earthen mixture: turf, leaf, sand in a ratio of 1:1:1. It is allowed to use a mixture for azaleas.

Propagation by cuttings has its own characteristics. Cuttings 10-15 cm long are cut from an adult plant obliquely. In this case, each one must have at least 2 internodes. The distance to the lower bud is 2 cm. Leaves on cuttings are shortened by half to avoid moisture loss.

The cuttings are placed in a nutrient substrate consisting of peat and coarse river sand. It is better to bake it for 1 hour in the oven to destroy bacteria and pests. Each shoot is buried 1-1.5 cm into the soil, the soil is lightly compacted, watered and covered. glass jar or film to create greenhouse conditions. The temperature in such a container should not be lower than +25…+27ºC.

Greenhouses should be periodically ventilated and moistened. Root formation usually occurs within 4-5 weeks. As soon as new shoots appear on the plants, we can assume that the tree has taken root. After the development of 3-4 young leaves, the plants are transplanted into permanent pots with standard soil and placed in a permanent place.

Interestingly, after propagation by cuttings, coffee can bloom in the first year. However, these buds should be removed, as they weaken the bush and will interfere with the proper development of the crown.

Transfer

Young plants are replanted every year, 3-4 year old plants - once every 2 years, and tubs - as needed. Pots need to be tall because coffee has a deep central root. You definitely need to take care of good drainage- pour a layer of expanded clay on the bottom of the container or broken bricks. Add 1 part of humus to the standard composition of the substrate.

When replanting, it is better not to disturb the root structure, but to transfer the lump completely, adding soil to the sides and top, lightly compacting it.

If it is not possible to replant the plant completely, you need to remove a few centimeters of the top layer of soil and add soil.

Experts advise replanting before the start of the growing season - in early spring.

Specifics of growing a coffee tree

The coffee tree grows very quickly and, with proper care, can reach a height of 1.2-1.5 m in 2-3 years. This is the barrier for the plant when it begins to bloom and bear fruit. It is important to wait patiently for this particular period, carefully caring for the tree. To form a crown, young shoots can be pinched and dry shoots can be removed immediately. At proper cultivation a few years after planting, it will be possible not only to admire the lush crown and flowers, but also to collect up to 0.5 kg of aromatic grains per year.

The Arabica coffee tree is a member of the Rubiaceae family. In nature it is amazing plant found in the tropics of Asia and Africa. Coffee was brought to Europe in the 17th century thanks to an Italian doctor, but it can also be grown in room conditions.

In home collections exotic tree with dark green glossy oval leaves, with pointed edges, still rare. But gradually it appears among flower growers in “greenhouses”.

Breeding experience shows that, even with proper care, it produces a coffee harvest.

The plant is self-pollinating. The coffee tree blooms in spring, 4 years after planting. Inflorescences appear in the leaf axils, consisting of 5 star-shaped flowers with a spicy “oriental” aroma. Flowering time is 2-3 days, but the bush is not sprayed at the time of flowering.

In order for the plant to bloom, you cannot rotate it relative to the light source. The leaves are directed in one direction.

Planting and propagation at home

The coffee tree is purchased at a flower shop. It is 60 - 80 cm high. Having a not very branched root system, it develops in a flower pot.

Maybe a coffee tree grow from grains. The shell is removed from the unroasted grain, the grain is washed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and planted in the ground to a depth of 1 cm, flat side down. When the seedling grows to 7-10 cm, it is transplanted. But this way for home breeding is not effective.

It's easier to choose a growing path from Arabica cuttings. To do this, cut a branch from the crown of an adult plant. In order for it to take root, you need to mark the branch for a day in a growth stimulator, and then plant it in a pot, deepening it by 2-3 buds.

A greenhouse is created from an inverted plastic bottle with holes pierced in it for ventilation. After a month and a half, the first buds appear, but you need to transplant the plant into a permanent pot when 2-3 leaves appear.

Soil features and pot selection

The plant should be planted in tall pot with drainage. The root system of the bush develops downward. The soil should be light, water- and breathable and acidic. Flower shops have ready-made soils for madder.

Lighting and temperature

Loves moderate temperatures. In summer time 22-25°С, in winter not lower than 15°C.

The coffee tree should not winter period feel the cold through the bottom of the pot, which is on the windowsill. He's being pushed to wooden stand or on a grate, and create a layer of air between the window sill and the pot.

Prefers to grow in permanent place, therefore it is recommended to exclude rearrangements from place to place. This is a light-loving plant. If you do not provide sufficient lighting, growth will slow down and fruiting will be delayed.

Florists who grow tropical plants, make the mistake of placing it in direct sunlight.

In nature, the coffee tree grows under the canopy of trees that provide shade for it. Therefore, the coffee bush is given a bright place in the apartment with sufficient air access (no draft).

Watering and humidity

As the top layer of soil dries, the coffee tree is watered with water at room temperature that has stood for a couple of days. Tap water containing limestone impurities is harmful to roots.

The settled water is sometimes acidified by adding lemon crystals to the water. The regularity of watering is determined by the type. In summer, watering is abundant, but excess water is removed from the pan.

In winter, watering is reduced. The plant loves regular spraying. Do not spray only during flowering.

Feeding and pruning

Feed in spring nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, for growth and for flowering. Regular feeding with liquid mineral fertilizers once every 6 weeks in summer.

By the second year of life, the coffee tree grows side shoots, growing evenly to the sides. tree doesn't like pruning, it's stressful for him.

More ovaries form on longer branches. It is recommended to only trim dried branches.

Coffee bush pests

Plants that are not properly cared for are affected by pests and, as a result, get sick. If the leaves turn yellow, sticky discharge and spots appear on them, it is affected scale insect. Wipe the leaves with tobacco infusion or soapy water.

Spider mite settles in back side leaf and sucks out the juice. The leaves turn yellow and fall off. Spider mites appear when high temperature and low air humidity. The infected plant is treated with insecticidal soap.

Soap is made at home. To do this, take: 1 liter of water, 1 tablespoon of dishwashing detergent, 2 drops of iodine. The resulting solution is sprayed onto both the plant and the soil underneath it.

As a preventive measure, the flower is washed alternately very quickly with cold and hot water.

The soil is covered with cellophane during the procedure.

Remember these 4 “ifs” to keep your plant looking healthy.

• If soil acidity insufficient, the leaves of the bush lose their shine and become discolored
• if he doesn't receive air flow, the leaves turn yellow and dry out
• If room humidity is excessive, the leaves are rotting
• If hard water, rusty spots appear on the sheet.

The life of a coffee tree is not too long, 8 - 10 years. “As it ages,” it loses its decorativeness. It is recommended to cut the crown of the tree at a height of 8-10 cm and form a new coffee tree from the resulting shoots.

Lovers of growing flowers are constantly looking for new ones. exotic plants. Renew your flower garden with an attractive decorative Arabica coffee tree. Despite the plant's fastidiousness to care and special microclimate, it is possible to grow coffee at home.

The Arabica coffee houseplant looks like a small branched bush with dark green leaves (see photo). The coffee tree has a symmetrical crown with oval leaves that visually resemble a glossy finish. The flowers are white or bright pastel in color, somewhat reminiscent of a jasmine flower. Arabica coffee houseplant after planting, receiving compassionate care, in 2-3 years it can bring the first harvest of up to 300-500 varieties of berries.

If coffee is grown not for decorative purposes, but to make a drink from beans, you should carefully approach the specifics of soil preparation, watering and creating special conditions for growth. You will need to recreate a special warm microclimate- similarity to the conditions of the plant’s natural habitat (hot tropics of Asia and Africa).

Reproduction

An indoor coffee plant is grown from special Arabica beans or by replanting parts of a mature tree. The method with cuttings gives a quick visual result, but for acquisition planting material You will need to visit a specialized store. The method has advantages - after a year you can get the first fruits of green grains. The planting method is quite simple: the cuttings are kept in a special solution for up to 3 hours, and then they are planted in prepared soil at a shallow depth (3-5 cm).

You can grow a coffee tree by planting Arabica seeds. This is a more labor-intensive process - careful care begins from the sprout itself, and the formation of the crown of the tree is done manually. Step-by-step technology:

• prepare the soil from the necessary components;
• rinse Arabica beans with a warm solution of low concentration potassium permanganate;
• plant the seeds 1 cm deep into the soil (with the grain facing down);
• moisten the soil with the remaining solution and cover with polymer film.

The plant needs warmth and light. The most convenient place for a potty is the south sunny side Houses. You will need to ventilate the soil daily, remove the film or glass for 20-30 minutes.

Transfer

After planting, the first coffee sprouts are expected to appear in a month. When the crown is formed and the first leaves appear, you can plant the cuttings in separate pots (with a capacity of at least 0.5 liters).

A one-year-old coffee tree needs to be replanted. This is necessary to increase the volume of the pot for the growing root system. At the same time, fertilization and replacement of the top soil ball are carried out.

Care during flowering and ripening

When planted at home, the first Arabica coffee flower will appear in the second year of the plant’s “life.” Flowering is very short-lived - only 2-3 days. Accompanied by a pleasant aroma emanating from white flowers. During this period, the plant self-pollinates, and then the green grains begin to ripen throughout the year. Only red ripe fruits can be used to prepare the drink.

Features of seeds

A ripe berry consists of pulp and two grains, suitable for planting in the soil. The coffee plant is very demanding environment. Common varieties used for planting:

• Maragogyp;
• Abbisinka;
• Bourbon;
• Mundo novo.

Maragodzhip has a distinctive feature. Among all varieties of coffee, its grains are “giant” in size. Suitable for planting in any soil. The peculiarity of the variety is that it acquires a different aroma and taste when grown in different (composition) soil.

For all varieties there is a certain natural condition- only plants grown at an altitude of 1-2 kilometers above sea level bear fruit.

Soil Features

Arabica coffee grows at home in slightly acidic soil. The soil is purchased in specialized stores or prepared independently. At home, mix a loose composition, which includes:

• river silt and sand;
• dry moss, peat and charcoal;
• a layer of earth with “leaf” humus.

Homemade soil is mixed in equal proportions and sterilized for several minutes in a water bath. The planting container is selected with a reserve for the future root system. There are perforated holes at the bottom of the pot for effective drainage of liquid.

Arabica coffee: care at home

For proper growth of a coffee tree, you will need careful care and a special microclimate. Indoor Arabica needs:

• in a warm 24-hour temperature;
• in regular watering;
• feeding with fertilizers;
• good lighting.

The plant must be sprayed periodically to protect it from diseases and possible pests.

1. Watering

The intensity of watering depends on the active (April - October) and passive growth periods. Starting in March, they begin to monitor soil moisture conditions daily. During flowering, the leaves are additionally sprayed. Water is used filtered, without lime and chlorine impurities. To maintain soil acidity, add a couple of drops of vinegar to the water.

2. Recharge

Starting from April - home tree Arabica coffee is fed monthly with complex fertilizers. The special powder mass includes a mineral complex consisting of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus additives. Fertilizers in liquid form are applied little by little - 1-2 times a month.

3. Temperature and lighting

It is recommended to keep a pot with a coffee tree on a window, but not near a radiator or next to a stove. Dry air negatively affects plant growth. Abundance of sunlight, stable temperature (20-25 degrees) and humidity - ideal conditions for ripening Arabica berries.

4. Diseases and pests

Sometimes the coffee plant is damaged by pests from neighboring flowers: “whitefly” or scale insects. Arabica coffee leaves show brown or yellow spots. As a result, the leaves wither and fall off. The fight is carried out by spraying with chemicals.

Often, a home coffee plant withers due to poor care, but it is recommended to keep the pot with the tree away from other indoor flowers.

5. Difficulties you may encounter

Flower growers are often worried about the question: am I doing everything right? There are no traces of pests on the leaves, special conditions contents of the coffee tree - complied with! The crown is formed, regular watering and feeding are carried out, but the formation of the plant trunk is “wrong”. There is no need to worry - this is due to a lignification process that is visually unusual and characteristic of Arabica wood.

The coffee plant does not like to be moved or disturbed by its environment. The tree is pruned after three years, and replanted once a year. The first harvest is not recommended to be used for food - for the production of a drink, but used for growing new plants.

Conclusion

Growing coffee indoors is a labor-intensive, careful process that involves special care behind a tree. Create a special microclimate for the plant, regularly water and fertilize the soil. In a couple of years, homemade Arabica will bear fruit in required quantity, and you can enjoy an exotic coffee drink.

Exotic coffee tree. The main obstacle to this is the erroneous belief that growing and caring for it will require very significant effort and investment, but in fact this statement is not true, because coffee is a plant that can be easily grown at home.

Despite the fact that its history began in Africa, it has been cultivated almost all over the world, the only exception being areas with a cold climate unsuitable for coffee. It will be enough to organize comprehensive care for it, and in a few years you will be able to please yourself with a drink prepared not only with your own hands, but also from aromatic grains grown at home.

Coffee - a house plant

The coffee tree is a bush with a seven-fold crown and dark green leaves, the glossy coating of which provides the plant with a unique shine. The flowers are white, visually similar to jasmine. A coffee plant at home, if properly cared for, can produce an annual harvest of up to 0.5 kg of green beans. When growing, you must definitely take into account that if you expect to receive in the future aromatic drink, you should try to provide the plant with conditions that are ideal for growth and correspond to the hot climate of the tropics.

When choosing seeds that could be used for planting, keep in mind that not all seeds will produce the expected increase in grains when grown, and if it is important for you to see the finished result in the form of sprouting sprouts with your own eyes as quickly as possible, it is better to give preference to the most popular variety Arabica coffee. It is this variety that occupies a leading position on most coffee plantations and perfectly adapts to growing at home, without requiring special care.

Since the Arabica coffee plant is the most suitable variety for germination, you should know its most common varieties:

• Abyssinian.
• Mundo novo.
• Bourbon is the most productive variety, brought by the French to Reunion Island.
• Maragogipe - differs from other Arabica varieties by the largest coffee beans, being essentially a mutant coffee. It easily adapts to any type of soil, but also acquires its taste and aromatic characteristics. This variety cannot be considered popular, since it is not characterized by high yield. That is why its grains will be very difficult to find for planting.

Reproduction

Essentially, coffee is a plant that can only be grown in two ways:

• By germination - the shell of the coffee bean is quite hard, and it is often difficult for the sprout to overcome it in order to germinate, especially when it comes to beans purchased in regular store and almost lost the ability to grow. Keep in mind that even several planted packages of coffee may not give you a single sprout, because even out of hundreds of seeds that you personally remove from the plant, only a few will sprout in a few months. To speed up the process, cut off the shell small area or purchase a special liquid from a specialized flower shop that will dissolve it within a certain period of time.
• Vegetatively is the simplest way of growing, the only difficulty of which is acquiring the cutting itself, after planting it, you will see rapid growth within a year. In addition, in the case of a ready-made sprout, you don’t have to worry about creating a beautiful crown, but when growing from grains, you will have to work hard on it. Such a shoot begins to bear fruit within 1-1.5 years, but it must be taken into account that in the absence proper care the plant is more than short-lived.

Coffee is a houseplant, caring for which is not difficult due to its unpretentiousness. Don't count on significant growth rates in the early years. The maximum you can count on is an increase in size by 10-20 cm, but this is already a lot. Subsequently, the plant begins the process of rapid branching. In this case, you do not even need to carry out additional pruning procedures. Keep in mind that it is better not to use the first harvest as a drink, but to try to sprout new shoots from it, because, firstly, this way you will not worry too much about the fact that the only coffee plant may die, and secondly, the harvest will be so small that it is enough for only 1-2 cups of drink.

Features of seeds

When planting a coffee plant, the care of which is not difficult, be prepared for the fact that the growing process will be a very painstaking task. First of all, this concerns not only the growth rate, but also the temperature conditions in which the pot with the plant should be kept.

Immediately after planting them in the ground, the pot with grains must be placed in a sunny place, constantly maintaining a temperature of at least 20 degrees. Thanks to this, you will provide the sprouts with an additional incentive to grow as quickly as possible.

Keep in mind that coffee is a plant that does not like outside interference too much. Pruning should be done as little as possible. It is best to do this procedure only if the size of the bush has become much larger than you expected. Also, do not worry that during the flowering period the natural growth does not occur. ordinary plants pollination process and, as a result, you will not get the expected harvest, because the berries are formed as a result of the self-pollination process.

If you plan to use a ripe berry for further planting, you will need to remove the pulp and rinse it with water. After which, they will need to be soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for approximately 30 minutes and planting should begin as quickly as possible.

Soil Features

The most popular question among people who are planning to grow home plant coffee: "How to care?" First of all, pay attention to the soil in which you are going to plant. Optimal suitable option is a mixed type of soil with the addition of a mass of various elements that enhance its natural acidity.

The stages of soil preparation differ from the stage in which the plant is growing:

Please note that if you are landing vegetative way(from the shoot), the cut cutting will need to be placed in a special solution for 1-2 hours. All required components must be purchased at a flower shop in advance, and only after that planting should be done in the ground with a depth of no more than 3 cm. Moreover, as soon as the plant has its first new leaves, it will be necessary to carry out a replanting procedure similar to that required for sprouts grown directly from seeds.

Flowers and berries

Coffee is a plant that, as a rule, blooms only in the warmest times of the year. For the first time, a germinated plant blooms only after 3-4 years from the time of planting. During this period, small bright white flowers are formed in the leaf axils, which, when blooming, have a pleasant aroma. Flowering time usually does not exceed 2-3 days, however, the fruits will ripen much longer. During this period, coffee should not be sprayed under any circumstances, as in this way you can completely ruin the reproduction process.

After a certain period of time, small, round fruits begin to set in their place. Green colour. As they ripen, the color of the fruit changes to a rich red, due to which they begin to visually resemble cherries. Each resulting fruit contains only two grains, which, in fact, are “coffee” in the sense that most people are familiar with. The period of full fruit ripening for a plant grown at home varies within one year. After which you can begin to directly collect and use the grains.

Coffee plant - how to care

When planting, be sure to keep in mind that this plant is extremely light-loving. At the same time, if in the hot climate of the tropics it must be shaded, then in apartment conditions, on the contrary, it needs to be provided with adequate lighting, in the absence of which the plant will not only grow poorly, but also long time will not bear fruit. It is best if for the winter the coffee is moved to the warmest southern side of the house, but even in this case, one should not forget that the critical temperature mark for this plant is 15 degrees and it is highly not recommended to allow it to drop. Therefore, on particularly cold and cloudy days, it will be necessary to turn on fluorescent lamps in the immediate vicinity of the plant, which will provide it with vital light and warmth.

Coffee is a rather capricious plant; it grows best provided that the lighting to which it gets used does not change its trajectory. Therefore, by turning the plant, you will only achieve beautiful leaves, but you will lose the long-awaited harvest. However, you should not place the coffee in direct sunlight or place the pot on the north side, where the lighting is weakest.

In the hot season, coffee must be regularly moistened (as the top layer dries) using settled water, the temperature of which in no case should be below room temperature. Also, special attention should be paid to the leaves, which also need to be sprayed regularly (except during the flowering period).

Remember that if you need to move the pot to a new location, for the first time the plant must be carefully wrapped in gauze, which will create the usual diffused light and help it optimally quickly adapt to the new lighting. Moreover, all that it needs to grow is timely transplants, which can be handled by any person, even those who do not have the proper experience in the process of floriculture, but who are familiar with the basic requirements regarding care.

Watering

Watering this plant must be given Special attention. The water you use should not contain limestone impurities that have a detrimental effect on the soil. In addition, coffee requires constant support of special acidity in the soil, to ensure which it is necessary to add a few drops of vinegar or crystals to the settled water prepared for irrigation. citric acid. Despite the fact that the plant loves moisture, it should not be allowed to increase its content in the air.

As a natural feeding, it is necessary to use mineral liquid fertilizers at least once every 1.5 months, thanks to which you will get rapid growth of new shoots and provide the plant with all the necessary nutrients.

Nutrition

Regardless of regular feeding in the spring, during the period when flowers are expected to appear, this plant It is imperative to increase the content of nitrogen and phosphorus in the feed composition as much as possible. The main source can be ordinary horn shavings or. In addition, do not forget that it is impossible to determine without special instruments whether the soil has sufficient acidity, so in order to provide the plant with optimal nutrition, be sure to consult a flower shop about purchasing the most suitable fertilizer. If for some reason you do not have enough money to purchase it during the replanting period, use ordinary, finely chopped moss, which can be found in large quantities in forest areas.

If, thanks to the correct use of fertilizers, the plant has begun to grow rapidly upward, and you are moving precisely towards increasing its bushiness, carefully pinch out the side shoots, and if a certain part of them has dried out, carefully cut them off at the base of the petiole of the covering leaf.

Difficulties you may encounter

When caring for a plant such as coffee, be sure to keep in mind that if it is not sufficiently cared for, the leaves may lose their dark green, glossy hue and become discolored. Coffee leaves begin to rapidly turn yellow and subsequently dry out completely if the plant does not receive a sufficient supply fresh air. In addition, if the humidity in the room is excessive, a rotting process will begin to occur on the leaves, after which the plant will need a large number of time to fully recover.

In addition, it would be a good idea to take some advice from a coffee growing specialist in the field of protecting leaves from the most common pests:

• Spider mite.
• Scale insects.

This is the only way you can be completely confident that your plant will be able to fully develop at home and over time will delight you with fragrant fruits.

The genus Coffee or Coffee trees includes about 40 species of plants of the Rubiaceae family. This evergreen shrubs and trees with shiny leathery leaves up to 5 m high. They bloom with white fragrant flowers collected in brushes, their aroma is reminiscent of jasmine. After flowering, bright red berries are formed, which rarely ripen at home.

Most popular in indoor floriculture species - Arabica Coffee or Arabian Coffee flower. This plant produces ¾ of the world's coffee products. Other types of coffee trees differ in the shape and size of the foliage, as well as the color of the fruit. Among them, the most common are: Congolese, Liberian, narrow-leaf, brush and tall coffee. But they are practically never found as indoor plants.

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How to care for a houseplant Coffee at home

The Arabica coffee tree adapts well to apartment conditions. It feels best on windows facing south, southwest or southeast. The air temperature should be from +15 to +20 °C. Until the age of two years, diffused light is needed, since direct sunlight retards the development of coffee. Even on plantations, this plant is planted in the shade of other trees.

The coffee tree grows very slowly and only in spring and summer. Blooms at the age of 3-4 years. To speed up the fruiting period, you can graft a branch from a flowering specimen onto a young seedling, as is done with citrus fruits. They do this during the warm season.

During the period of bud formation, the coffee is placed in the most illuminated area in the room, and after the fruit is set, it is removed to its original place. The flower lasts for one day, but then the next one opens next to it, resulting in flowering that can last from spring to autumn. Flowering coffee tree at home In rare cases, coffee blooms in winter. It is not recommended to rotate the Arabica Coffee houseplant to ensure uniform foliage growth at this time. The berries ripen within a year; during this period you can harvest about 1 kg of harvest.

Watering and fertilizers. Warm, settled water is used for irrigation. Some gardeners recommend acidifying it a little by adding a few drops lemon juice. Watering for coffee requires moderate watering. The plant is calm about drying out the earthen clod, but in summer it is advisable to water it as the top layer of soil is added, and in winter - about once a week. The lack of moisture is immediately noticeable by the loss of turgor in the leaves. In summer, the soil can be mulched to help it retain water better.

The indoor plant Coffee tree loves spraying; it is advisable to do it in the evening. It would be useful to periodically add leaf fertilizers and growth stimulants to the water: Zircon.

Coffee has virtually no dormant period, so it can be fertilized all year round, approximately once every 10 days in summer and every 20 days in winter. What this plant needs most is nitrogen, the best source of which is manure. It can be applied immediately when the coffee tree needs replanting.

Replanting a coffee tree

Young plants need to be replanted every year in the spring. From the age of 3 years: once every 2-3 years. It is best to use the transshipment method to avoid damaging the roots. The new coffee container should be no more than 5 cm wider than the previous one. Too large volume will cause increased seedling growth and inhibit flowering. In addition, the risk of flooding the plant will increase.

The soil is selected with a slightly acidic reaction (pH about 5). Commercial soil is suitable for azaleas, saintpaulias, and hydrangeas. You can also prepare the substrate yourself by mixing one part each of sand and turf soil with two parts leaf soil. For plants older than 4 years, one part of peat and humus is added to the composition.
Transplanting a coffee tree at home You need to put thick layer drainage, and on top - a layer. Then it is poured new soil so as not to cause burns to the root system, and a seedling is placed on it. Before transplanting, the roots need to be inspected and rotten and dry ones removed. After this, the soil is poured on the sides and on top, it needs to be pressed a little and spilled with settled warm water.

Attention: the root collar must not be buried! It is better to raise it a few centimeters. With subsequent waterings, the coffee will deepen on its own. If after transplantation the roots are top layer the soils will be exposed, they can be mulched or a fresh layer of substrate can be added. After waiting a few days, the surface needs to be carefully loosened.

Possible diseases of indoor coffee

Houseplant The coffee tree rarely gets sick or is damaged by pests, however, there are several common problems when growing it. They are mainly associated with a lack of microelements in the soil:

• At nitrogen deficiency the plant develops slowly, new leaves are small, and the lower ones acquire a yellowish tint. In case of a similar problem, it is recommended to feed the coffee with a solution of rotted manure, which is diluted in a ratio of 1 to 15. It is also useful to spray the leaves with a solution of urea (1 g per liter of water).
• Phosphorus deficiency is reflected in the fruits. They become deformed and fall off. Leaves may also curl. This is treated by adding superphosphate, which dissolves in hot water.
• When there is little potassium in the soil, new leaves grow deformed and may become covered with brown spots. You can try adding an ash solution to the soil (1 tablespoon per liter of water).

Why can Arabica coffee leaves dry out?

Another problem is the so-called leaf necrosis, which begins with browning of the edges. sheet plate. The spots then spread throughout the leaf and it falls off.

Possible causes of necrosis:

• Incorrect watering. Necrosis may be associated with excess humidity or prolonged drying of the earthen coma.
• Sudden changes in temperature and drafts: hypothermia, overheating in the sun or use cold water for watering.
• Nutritional deficiencies, including potassium.

Coffee tree propagation

Cuttings

For cuttings, cut off a stem with two pairs of leaves and plant it in a loose substrate, for example, a mixture of perlite and peat. It is necessary to disinfect the soil in advance with a pink solution of potassium permanganate. The cuttings are treated with stimulants and planted to a depth of 2 cm so that the leaf petioles below are under the ground. Cover the top of the container with a bag, making small holes in it, and place it in a place inaccessible to direct sunlight. The temperature for rooting is needed at least +25 °C, but not higher than +30 °C. Remove the bag when the cuttings begin to grow.

Propagation by seeds

The coffee tree can be grown from seeds. The soil for this is the same as for transplanting an adult plant. It is spilled with a pink solution of potassium permanganate. The seeds are treated with the same solution for several hours. Then you need to stratify the seeds in a hot way, that is, put them in water with a temperature of up to 60 ° C, and wait until the water cools down to room temperature. After which you can start sowing. The seeds are laid flat down, watered and covered with film. The temperature for germination is the same as for rooting cuttings - you can use bottom heating.

Where to buy a houseplant Arabica Coffee

Small coffee seedlings are often sold in large hardware stores in the department with indoor plants or ordered on flower websites. Large sizes can be purchased at centers that specialize in gardening and landscape design.

Watch a video about growing a coffee tree at home: