What if you had a plant at home that produces the fruits for the preparation of the world's most popular drink? I have one, and not just one. I grew it from a seedling - small dark green leaves. And now I'll tell you how you can grow a coffee plant at home too!
Summary for the impatient:
- it is more suitable for beginners growing a coffee tree from a seedling
- Don't forget to give the coffee plant moisture. regular misting of leaves
- protect the coffee plant from drafts, direct sunlight and temperature drops
- Fertilize from spring to autumn and then reduce fertilization for the winter
- be careful of getting too wet, water as soon as the top layer of the substrate dries out
The beginnings of growing a coffee plant in an apartment
Although coffee plants are grown from seeds on a coffee plantation, where they have direct access to viable coffee plant seeds, it is more convenient to use already Germinated seedlings from the garden center . There you will be sure that your coffee plant will grow.
I am bought arabica, officially "Coffea arabica" . It suits me thanks more compact and shorter stature than the robust "Canephora" (or robusta). The color and shape of the leaves also seem more elegant to me in Arabica. And most importantly, once it blooms and then produces fruit - it takes about 4-6 years to do that, I will look forward to much more enjoyable coffee taste than from Robusta coffee beans.
How to grow Arabica coffee at home?
The conditions for growing a coffee tree must mimic its natural climate. Because the coffee tree is a tropical plant, it primarily needs warmth, humidity, and light.
- Light: Indirect, diffused light from an east or west window is ideal.
- Temperature: optimally 18-24°C, can tolerate a short-term drop to 15°C, but be sure to protect it from low temperatures below 10°C and drafts
- Humidity: This is where the most common problem is – giving the coffee plant enough moisture. A humidifier, placing a bowl of water and pebbles near the coffee plant, or, like me, regularly misting the coffee plant with a spray bottle will help.
- Dressing: Be careful not to overwater your coffee plant, but don't let it dry out either. Water as soon as the top 2 cm of the substrate dries out. Only reduce watering in winter.
Coffee tree care: substrate and transplanting
Coffee plants love permeable, slightly acidic soil. That's why when I transplanted the seedlings, I mixed it into a new pot. horticultural substrate, coarse sand and peat in a ratio of 1:1:1 . It is a plant that prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
I transplant every spring for the first three years. Then I will do it every 2 years for the next three years. When transplanting, I choose the pot is always just a little bigger, about 2 cm . And after repotting I always water it properly. As for fertilizing, I only do it from spring to autumn. with a fertilizer rich in nitrogen and potassium . I let the coffee plants rest in peace for the winter.
And you know that Can you also fertilize with coffee grounds ? Just dilute it with water 1:5 and let it sit for a few days. Then water the coffee plants with this coffee "second". Or let the log dry and then add it to the substrate.
Tips for successful home coffee growing
For the winter, keep the coffee plants at a lower temperature of 15-18°C, reduce watering and stop fertilizing. Also, stop misting, as increased humidity in the cold could lead to fungal diseases.
Learn the language of your coffee tree, it will tell you how it is doing. It can give you these signs :
- Yellow leaves: Lack of nutrients, overwatering, or conversely overdrying
- Brown leaf edges: Too much humidity, drafts, or, conversely, too much dry heat
- Falling leaves: Stress from relocation, overflow, or drying out
Home Coffee Farm: FAQ's
How to grow a coffee plant from seeds?
- Seeds need to be soaked in water for 12-24 hours before planting.
- The germination period lasts 2-6 months and the success rate is about 50%, so sow more seeds.
- Keep the substrate moist and the temperature should be around 25-30°C.
How to propagate a coffee plant by cuttings?
- You need healthy cuttings 10-15 cm long with 2-3 pairs of leaves.
- Plant them 3-5 cm deep in a mixture of peat and perlite and a rooting stimulator.
- The optimal temperature for rooting is 22-26 °C with high humidity.
How many berries do you need to harvest to make espresso?
- To make espresso from a home coffee tree, you need to harvest 100 coffee cherries.
- 100 pieces of coffee cherries weigh approximately 200 grams, which is about 30g of green coffee.
- When roasting, coffee loses up to 20% of its original weight, so you get 24g of roasted coffee.
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You'll wait years for your first cup of coffee from your own coffee tree, and it'll be hard to taste. But having a coffee tree at home gives you the opportunity to connect even more with your beloved beverage.
You will enjoy your cup of coffee much more with the sight of growing green bushes that refer to its origin. So, will you start your own home coffee plantation?
