Coffee tree at home breeding and care. Care for arabica coffee plant in indoor conditions

Virtually everyone loves strong, invigorating coffee. But, to our deepest regret, coffee is not grown in our country - so we have only two opportunities to drink real, fresh coffee: either go to a country where coffee is produced (countries in Africa and Asia), or ... grow coffee tree at home ! Yes, yes, do not be surprised - it is possible, and it will not be difficult. And besides, it looks very nice and looks like a lemon tree - the same leathery, large and smooth leaves are dark green in color, and the height rarely exceeds 1.5 meters. In the axils of the leaves are flowers that resemble jasmine (albeit slightly larger) and smell good. Then from these flowers ripen the size of a cherry, but not round, but slightly elongated: first green, then red, and at the end black-blue. Moreover, on a single branch can coexist as flowers and green fruits, and red, as red - and black and blue. The fact is that coffee fruits can ripen and not at the same time. After ripening, they can be plucked, roasted, ground - and enjoy the aroma of fresh, natural coffee "from your own garden." How to bring yourself and your family such an exotic pleasure?

Some facts from the history of coffee

Now the Arabic (Arabica group) is rightfully recognized as the best coffee. And this is no accident - the fact is that according to legend, a coffee drink appeared in the XII-XIII centuries in Arabia, thanks to one Arab mullah. Once he saw that the goats, after eating the leaves and berries of the coffee tree, become active, agitated and agile. Mulla decided to try to give the infusion of coffee beans to his students - so that they have more strength and energy to pray. Infusion acted - and after that other people began to drink coffee in order to give themselves cheerfulness. By the 17th century, coffee became widespread in Asia, Europe and America. He became an indispensable component of various ceremonies, a sign of hospitality (for example, among the Bedouins, when a guest was poured four sips of coffee into a cup, which meant: “Drink and leave”). Coffee houses began to be built in the East, and soon they became more popular than mosques! After that, in some places, coffee shops were banned, but this did not turn people away from coffee: in Europe, coffee first appeared in Italy, then spread to England and other countries. It also sought to limit the number of cafes, for example, the English King Charles II called the coffee houses "rebel schools" and ordered to close about 3,000 of them, but public opinion forced him to abandon his venture.

Nowadays, coffee is mainly grown in Latin America, and it is widely represented in Java and Mocha grades. The best grade is Robusta grown in Central Africa, which is frost-resistant and has a harsh taste. This type of coffee is usually used to make instant coffee. Liberian coffee is grown mainly in Africa and does not import abroad, so it is extremely difficult to find it in stores.

The apartment is usually grown Arabian coffee, in rare cases - Liberian or Brazilian.

Coffee trees breed in two ways: cuttings and seeds. Those who cultivate coffee at home, disagree on which method of reproduction is better - so you can reserve this choice. One has only to know that the seeds of ordinary coffee purchased in a store are not suitable for planting a coffee tree: seeds during storage lose their germination very quickly. In addition, fruiting coffee tree grown from seed will not be earlier than 3-4 years after planting. If you decide to plant your coffee tree with the help of grafting - you will start to bear fruit earlier, though the truth will grow longer.

Where to get cuttings or suitable seeds? The fact is that the cuttings need to be taken from the middle part of the crown of the coffee tree, which is already bearing fruit. And the seeds must be taken from freshly ripened fruits, from which the pulp was removed - and it is better to plant the seeds immediately, without leaving them "for later." Therefore, it is only necessary to take cuttings or seeds from friends who already have their own coffee tree - because you will hardly find the materials you need in a regular store for summer residents.

If you decide to plant a coffee tree with a cutting, you must comply with a number of conditions:

If you plant several cuttings side by side, their leaves should not cover each other;

It is necessary to cut the stalk diagonally with two pairs of leaves, and the lower segment of the branch, which remains under the leaves, must be scratched with a needle so that the cutting will take root faster;

To stimulate growth and rooting, before planting, a quarter of a heteroauxin tablet must be dissolved in 0.5 liter of water and placed in this solution at the end of the cutting for 4 hours, then apply charcoal powder to the lower section of the cutting;

It is better to plant the cutting in a mixture of top sifted peat and perlite with the addition of a weak solution of potassium permanganate; you can also use ordinary ground containing high peat and organic (manure) and inorganic (mineral) fertilizers;

After planting the cutting, it must be watered with the same weak solution of potassium permanganate;

After planting the seedling, it is advisable to build a mini-greenhouse, as coffee trees love heat, after which you should not forget to regularly ventilate and spray the cuttings themselves - the first bud in this case will be awakened after a month and a half;

The temperature at the roots should be maintained at 25-27 degrees;

The graft should be transplanted not earlier than a new pair of leaves is formed;

If buds appear on rooted cuttings - you should not remove them - they will not inhibit the development of the coffee tree itself.

If you decide to plant coffee tree seeds, do not forget about the following important things:

For planting, it is necessary to take well-ripened fruits with two seeds - then you will have a better chance that the coffee tree will really grow;

Before planting, the pulp-free coffee seeds must be washed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate;

The soil in which you will plant the seeds, you need to prepare another two weeks before planting: Steam the turf ground and mix it with sand and sifted peat (ratio 1: 2: 2);

After cleansing and washing with potassium permanganate, the seeds are laid flat on the prepared soil at a distance of about 3 cm from each other and pressed into the ground by about 1 cm;

After this, the seeds are watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and covered with a sheet of glass;

The sowing pot must be placed in a warm place with a constant temperature of about 20 degrees and watered in moderate quantities - then in 1-1.5 months shoots will appear;

Crops need to be ventilated daily, cleaned and turned over the glass, and after the emergence of airing shoots should be even more;

Seedlings can be transplanted after 2-3 pairs of leaves appear on them;

Seedlings should be transplanted one by one into different pots of a small size, after which it is necessary to put them in the shade, and when the seedlings take root, put them on a bright place with a constant inflow of fresh air;

The seedling becomes a tree gradually - first brown spots appear on the green bark, then they grow larger and merge with each other, after which they brighten and the bark acquires its typical color;

Formation of the crown as such in coffee trees grown from seeds does not occur: first, they grow as a single table, and in the second year new branches grow from the new buds, and it is desirable to cut too long side shoots so that the crown is more lush.

As for the transplantation of coffee trees, young, not yet fruit-bearing trees should be transplanted annually, and those that already bear fruit - once every 3-4 years. And do it better in the spring.

Before transplanting, it is necessary to lay drainage on the bottom of the new pot, carefully remove the rotted roots from the seedlings - and prepare the soil. In general, an already established coffee tree is not demanding in the composition of the soil, the only condition is a weakly acidic pH (about 5-5.5). Such a soil is ideal for transplanting Arabian coffee trees: 40% is sod land, 30% is leaf earth; 20% - river sand; 10% - high peat.

Coffee tree care

The coffee tree is a rather unpretentious plant. All he needs is light, warmth and moderate watering. In the summer and autumn - that is, in the cool season - the coffee tree is recommended temperature conditions in the region of 16-22 degrees, frequent and abundant watering in summer and moderate - in winter, as with too abundant watering the roots can simply rot. Lighting is a very important moment for good growth of your coffee tree, so try to put a pot of coffee in the lighted and sunny areas of the apartment. However, one detail needs to be taken into account - too much sun is not very good, especially for young saplings, since this leads to yellowing and wrinkling of tender leaves.

In order for your coffee tree to grow and develop, it must be in a bright, well-ventilated room with an average temperature of 20-25 degrees (the lowest limit is 16 degrees in winter). But despite the fact that the temperature of the sucker for the coffee tree is too low, it should also not be in the winter near the heating devices - as they dry out the air, which can have a detrimental effect on your tree, because it loves the humid atmosphere very much!

As for feeding, coffee trees are very fond of salts of nitrogen and potassium (3 g of potassium salts and 5 g of ammonium nitrate per 1 liter of water). Top dressing is best done at the end of spring — throughout the summer — in a period of particularly rapid growth. In addition, you can add organic fertilizer in this dressing.

The rest period as such in a coffee tree is almost not pronounced - but, nevertheless, it begins in winter and is manifested in the need for moderate watering and keeping the tree in a bright place at a low (16-20 degrees) temperature.

Some features of growing coffee trees at home

As the leaves of the coffee tree, you can learn a lot about its needs. For example, if he does not have enough moisture in the air - the leaves will probably begin to dry out. If the acidity of the soil in which the coffee tree grows is reduced, the leaves will lose their color. If a coffee tree feels an overabundance of sun, it is just like a person, gets a “sunburn”: the leaves turn yellow and brown spots appear on them. If you slightly overdo it with watering the tree - the leaves may begin to rot and fall off. If the water with which you water this plant is very hard, brown spots will appear on the leaves and they may curl. You can soften the water with the help of simple water softening tablets, which can be bought in the household chemical department or in the store for summer residents. There is another tool - just soak a small bag of peat in 3 liters of water.

The main pests for coffee trees are scale insects, spider mites and soot fungi, which appear on the leaves of a plant if it gets into too low a temperature (10-12 degrees). Sooty mushroom can lead to the death of the coffee tree.

To make coffee from home-grown grains, you need to collect them, free them from the pulp and dry them outdoors. After that, put them on a regular frying pan, fry until brown, grind in a coffee grinder - and you can make coffee (at the rate of 1 tablespoon coffee per cup of boiling water)! You can simply pour boiled water over ground coffee and let it brew for about an hour.

By the way, home-grown coffee trees bear fruit quite a bit - you can hardly get more than 500g of grains. But in the end, even this amount of coffee grown by yourself can be very valuable and will give you an unforgettable taste and aroma. A very nice tree will be a good decoration of your apartment.

There are coffee seeds and an irresistible desire to grow a coffee tree at home. How to plant a coffee bean? What soil is needed? Optimal germination conditions. The nuances of growing seedlings. In this case, consultation of experienced flower growers and instructions in pictures with a detailed explanation of each stage of coffee growing will be useful.

How to choose and where to buy coffee seeds?

So, if you only plan to buy seeds for planting, you need to know a few nuances about the seed:

coffee seeds very quickly lose their germination. A month after the grain was removed from the tree, its germination decreases by 50%, another half a month and germination decreases by 90%;
buy seeds better from breeders and it is desirable that the grain was surrounded by pulp. Only in this case, you can vouch for the good germination of seed;
the germination of coffee tree seeds until the formation of the first pair of these leaves should be carried out in high humidity conditions. Otherwise, the dense shell of the kernel on the sprout, which only started the root, will not open and the cotyledons (the first pair of artificial leaves) will be damaged. This will adversely affect the development of the plant;
if you buy coffee seeds for planting in a store, their packaging date should not exceed 1.5 monthand at the time of purchase of seed. Only then can we hope for the germination of at least one grain.

Where to get coffee tree seeds? The best option is the owner of the tree, who no more than 1 month ago took the crop from his plant. Coffee seeds should be stored in the pulp. The second option is to buy in the online store, where professional seed material is sold. Grains must be fresh and unpacked no later than 1.5 months after removal from the tree. But the seeds from flower shops must be treated with growth stimulants.

Preparation for planting coffee seeds in the pulp is very simple: the pulp is removed from the grains. The seeds themselves can be soaked with a growth stimulator or aloe juice, but you can not do this, since such seed seeds are excellent. Grains are immersed in the soil at 1.5-2 cm, watered and placed in a hothouse. It is not recommended to use for planting coffee beans with immature berries (green berries). They do not germinate, but simply rot in the soil.

If you buy coffee seeds for planting in a regular flower shop, they will be dry and without pulp. The sowing material bag very rarely indicates the date of removal of the coffee crop and packaging. That is why you need to hope for the good faith of the seller who does not slip the expired goods. But even if the seeds of the coffee tree in the store are fresh, with them before sowing you need to perform the following manipulations.

So, how to prepare coffee seeds for planting? Preparation takes place in several stages.:

remove parchment wrapperthat surrounds the seed. Sclerification increases the percentage of seed germination. Remove the parchment shell without damaging the grain can, if the seed material is soaked for 2 hours in warm water;
mandatory treatment with growth promoters. This may be cycron, epin, or any other similar drug. Soak for at least 8 hours. If there are no growth stimulants on hand, you can use a solution of potassium permanganate (manganese). The solution is prepared pale color. Even before sowing, coffee beans are soaked for 8 hours in aloe juice;
for processing and increasing the percentage of germination of coffee beans is recommended to soak in a solution of hydrogen peroxide. The first 10 minutes the concentration of the solution should be within 3%. After the above time, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is reduced to 1-0,5%. In this solution, coffee beans before sowing should be a day.

Quality coffee seeds suitable for planting, regardless of the variety, will have a white or milky white shade. If the coffee grains are brown, green, they are either damaged by the disease, or very old, or covered with mold. They will not germinate.

The photo below shows an example of Arabica Nana coffee seeds.

How to plant a coffee bean?

After processing, the seeds of the coffee tree can be planted. Experts recommend sprouting coffee beans in a weakly acidic soil, a mixture of vermiculite and peat moss. Some growers keep the seed on wet cotton pads until a sprout appears. As practice shows, the latter method is not effective. The explanation is simple: even fresh grains germinate 40-60 days. In too humid environments, they can mold, which has a negative effect on germination.

What soil can I use for sowing coffee tree grains? Planting seed can be in the following soil mixture: sod land, peat, sand in a ratio of 2: 2: 1. In a similar soil, the plant will develop before the first pick. A mixture of vermiculite and peat moss is also used. Such a mixture holds moisture for a long time, which is necessary for the successful development of the embryo. However, after germination, the grain of coffee is transferred to the usual soil. Prerequisite: the land can not be tamped. It should always be loose.

Temperature for the germination of coffee beans. The optimum temperature for successful coffee germination lies within +25 ... + 30 degrees. However, such greenhouse conditions are difficult to create in a regular apartment, especially in winter. Experts recommend not to lower the temperature below +21 ... + 25 degrees at home. If the temperature is below +21 degrees, the coffee beans will not germinate.

Humidity. A high level of humidity is the key to successful cultivation of coffee tree from seeds. That is why we need a greenhouse.

So, step by step instructions about growing coffee from seeds at home with pictures.

You can pre-germinate grains on wet, wadded disks in greenhouse conditions.

1 step. Prepare a greenhouse. This may be a food tray with a transparent lid or a box, which is then covered with a transparent plastic wrap. The prepared grain is placed in the ground. How to plant coffee from seeds? Seeds laid out on the surface of the earth, you can dig them into the ground 1-1.5 cm flat side down.

If the seeds are grown not on the surface of the soil, but at a depth of 1-1.5 cm, you should not constantly pick it up and look at what is with them. In this way, either the sprout or the root can be damaged.

2 step. Grains sprinkled with soil. The earth is slightly tamped. Once again, everything is watered. Important!!! The soil in the greenhouse, where coffee is grown from seeds, must be constantly wet. In a humid environment, the hard shell softens and the sprout is easier to get out. Next, the greenhouse is covered. It is placed in a warm place where the temperature does not fall below +23 degrees. The higher the ambient temperature, the greater the likelihood of germination of coffee seeds.

The subsequent successful cultivation of coffee from seeds depends on the proper care of the greenhouse and seedlings. Thus, the greenhouse must be ventilated, remove condensate from the inner surface. The soil should not be dry. It is recommended to add epine or root to the water for irrigation 1 time per week.

When will coffee seeds germinate? Fresh seeds germinate in the period 40-60 days after planting. Sprouting from old seeds can be expected up to six months. Sometimes you can watch the embryo of the coffee tree from the seed. This happens if the seeds are very old or the seed beds themselves are damaged. In such cases, it is not necessary to wait for healthy shoots.

The photo below shows an example of a healthy grain of coffee tree that has already sprouted. Here you can expect a positive result and the development of a healthy plant.

How to sprout coffee seeds?

How does coffee tree seed germinate? Initially, the grain releases the spine, then it rises above the ground. You can see that the root of a young plant from a healthy seed durable. Shoots of coffee tree for a long time can not get rid of the shell grain. It covers cotyledons or the so-called first pair of pseudo-leaflets.

In some cases, coffee seeds give two roots, therefore, from this grain will develop two full plants. Caring for such "twins" does not differ from the care of ordinary shoots. The only difference is the early "twin" picks. Otherwise they will interfere with each other’s development. To plant such shoots need to carefully, as their root system will be intertwined with each other.

Should I remove the cotyledons from the sprout of the coffee tree or wait for them to unfold? It is not recommended to remove cotyledons from a sprout of coffee, as it is possible to damage the leaves themselves. The latter are responsible for the successful development of the young plant. As practice shows, those seedlings from which flower growers took cotyledons and damaged all the leaves, developed more slowly than those whose cotyledons revealed themselves.

How to remove cotyledons from coffee sprout? It is impossible to do this mechanically. Experts recommend increasing the level of humidity in the greenhouse, where the seeds of the coffee tree sprouted. In a humid environment, the dense shell will become soft and the leaves of coffee will easily be able to free themselves from it. How to increase the humidity in the greenhouse. In addition to the usual irrigation of the soil, it is necessary to carry out regular spraying, up to wetting of the dense seedlings seedling shell.

Shoots of coffee tree kept in the greenhouse until the formation of the second pair of these leaves. Then the young plant is gradually accustomed to normal humidity. To do this, open the greenhouse and every day increase the time of ventilation. Remove the greenhouse completely possible when the leaves of the plant cease to wither from the normal humidity.

Shoots of coffee tree need sunlight, and therefore they are placed on the windows to the east or west side of the house, but not under direct sunlight. The length of light for a plant should be 12-14 hours. With a lack of natural lighting arrange artificial lighting.

Comfortable temperature for coffee from seeds at home is +23 ... + 25 degrees. The temperature of about 30 degrees is needed only during the germination of seeds. The soil in the pot where the tree grows must be constantly wet. Picks are performed in the stage of two pairs of these leaves.

Among the room gardeners there are many who want to grow some exotic plant in their apartment. Coffee lovers dream to have their own evergreen tree, which will not only decorate the interior and will please with green wavy foliage, but will also reward coffee beans.

It may seem that at home this is impossible to achieve. In fact, coffee tree maintenance is easy, and compliance with the necessary conditions will allow to achieve the desired result.

Of all the variety of natural types of coffee for growing at home or in the office, two are suitable.:

Coffea arabica - Arabian coffee;
Coffea liberica - Liberian coffee.

The most popular among fans of indoor plants enjoys arabian coffee, which in its natural habitat grows to 3-5 m, and at home does not exceed 1.5-2.0 m. If the dimensions of the room allow it and the rules for caring for the plant are observed, the height of the tree can reach 3 meters. In standard apartments this is hardly possible, but in an office or a winter garden it is quite possible.

Temperature and lighting

Coffee - a southern resident, but direct sunlight is contraindicated for him. Otherwise, beautiful shiny leaves may suffer, their edges will dry out and the plant will lose its decorative effect. Considered optimal conditions of detention:

Abundant ambient lighting (east or west window).
When placed on the south, southeast or southwest side dawn in the midday hours in summer and in early spring.
Fresh air and regular airing.
No drafts - air flow during ventilation should not fall on the coffee tree.
Content in the spring and summer at a temperature of 22-26 ° C.
Lowering the temperature in winter to 16-18 ° C.

Temperatures below 15 ° C will cause the plant to drop buds and foliage, and air colder than 12 ° C may be detrimental to the tree. In the heating season, the flower pot should not be near the heating devices..

The coffee tree can also be located on the north side, but in this case the growth process will be delayed, and it will not be possible to wait for flowering, especially grains, without sufficient sunlight.

Watering and moisture

Coffee is poured moderately, but regularly. The topsoil dried up by 1-3 cm is a signal for the next watering. Use only distilled soft water. Hard water with a high salt content is unfavorable for the plant - the coffee tree will start to ache over time.

Coffee prefers moist air. Provide the desired humidity (60-70%) by using a humidifier. In many sources, it is advised to place a flower pot on a tray with pebbles filled with water. Such a measure will not be able to provide the necessary moisture, since for high-quality moisturizing, you need to evaporate at least 1.5-2 liters per day.

Regular spraying of purified or boiled water, whose temperature is a couple of degrees above room temperature, can help maintain optimal humidity. In the summer, a warm shower is very helpful.

Soil and feeding

For coffee, only acidic soil is suitable, in a neutral soil the plant will wither and ache. To make an optimal soil mix, the following components are needed.:

sour peat - 2 parts;
leaf earth - 1 part;
humus - 1 part;
coarse sand - 1 part.

To the mixture obtained, add charcoal and sphagnum moss, finely chopped.

During the period of active growth (April-October), the coffee tree needs feeding. Every two weeks the plant is fed complex compounds containing nitrogen and potassium. Liquid fertilizers for azaleas are best suited, but granular substances can also be used. For example, dissolve 10 g of ammonium nitrate and 6 g of potassium salt in 2 liters of water.

They fertilize coffee only after the next watering - it is impossible to pour the dressing into dry soil, otherwise the roots can get burned. Supporters of organic fertilizers can pour a dry mullein into the pot.

Peculiarities of home care

In summer, the plant is watered more often; in winter, the amount of moisture is reduced, allowing the ground to dry in a pot in half. During the rest period (November-February), the coffee tree is not fed.

If all the optimal conditions are maintained, the coffee tree may bloom closer to the third year of life. Its beautiful fragrant white or pale cream flowers eventually give way to fruit. Fruits are originally green, but gradually turn red. and in appearance they resemble ripe cherries.

Formation and trimming of the crown

Young plant need to pinch, removing the growth point. Then get a beautiful copy of the copyright. An adult plant does not like to interfere with natural development and does not need special pruning. It is necessary to remove dried shoots and shorten too long branches.spoiling the look of the wood.

Diseases and pests

Coffee is rarely attacked by pests. When insects are found on the leaves and shoots, the plants are treated with modern insecticidal preparations.

Mostly coffee suffers due to lack of food. This is manifested by blackening or lightening the leaves depending on the missing trace element. In this case, the plant must be fed complex fertilizer.

Transfer

Replant young plantlets annually, using the recommended mixture for planting. When the tree is 3 years old, transplantation is carried out once every 2 years.

All conditions must be met during the transplant.:

A new pot is chosen 3-5 cm wider than the previous one.giving preference to deep tanks.
At the bottom of the new pot stack pebble or expanded clay drainage layerthen a small layer of earth.
The coffee tree is removed from the old pot, taking care not to damage the earthen room. It is better to replant after the next watering.and - then the earth will not fall down from the roots.
The plant is put in a new pot and voids fall asleep soil mixture.
Water and put the plant in a slightly shaded place to adapt.

Adult massive specimens are not transplanted, and every year they replace the top layer of soil.

Problems growing at home

Owners of coffee trees may encounter some difficulties in growing. Coffee does not tolerate neighborhoods with other indoor cultures.and. To achieve success, you need to choose a room that is free of any "green" inhabitants.

Yellowed or falling leaves indicate problems with watering - an excess or lack of moisture equally adversely affect the decorativeness of the plant.

A pot with a tree can not be rearranged or rotated. As a result of a small rotation, even the coffee can drop foliage by 20–30 degrees, and the flowering specimen can buds.

Conditions for normal growing season

In order for a coffee tree to develop normally, you need to follow all the rules of care listed above. Maintaining optimum temperature, adequate lighting, proper watering and regular feeding during the growing season will lead to the active growth of coffee, which, under good conditions, grows rather quickly.

Growing from seed

Coffee seeds can be purchased at flower shops or garden centers. The shell of the coffee seeds is hard, therefore, to speed up germination, they need to be scarified — cut or incise. Then soak for 12-24 hours in a growth stimulator such as "Zircon" or "Kornevin." If such drugs are not at hand, you can do with plain water.

The seeds are buried 1-3 cm in loose soil and put the pot in a sunny place, where temperature does not fall below 20-24 ° C. The pot is covered with glass or a transparent jar to create a greenhouse effect, sometimes remembering to air. Land in a pot should always be slightly wet.

Soaked seeds will germinate in about 1-1.5 months; dry seeds will “sit” in the ground for a month longer.

Cuttings

Cutting is more preferable as a method of propagation of coffee, as in this case, you can quickly get a fruiting specimen. If friends and acquaintances have a coffee tree, you can cut a stalk from it and root it:

For rooting use loose substrateconsisting of sand, leaf and sod land in the same proportions.
Cuttings in the moistened soil and cover with a transparent cap to create a greenhouse effect.
Put cuttings in a well-lit place and maintain a temperature of 25-27 ° C.
Daily air for 10-15 minutestaking off the cap.
Watered as needed.

After rooting, the cuttings are placed in separate pots.

How to grow from grains

To grow coffee from roasted beans sold in stores is, of course, impossible. However, you can buy green grains that have not undergone heat treatment, and try to germinate them in the manner described above. Although the possibility of sprouting shop grain is minimal.

Conclusion

Coffee tree at home is not a myth, but a reality. Waiting for coffee beans in our latitudes is difficult, but possible. Under favorable conditions, it will be possible to collect up to 0.5 kg of seeds from an adult tree.however, this will require good care and patience.

The content of the article:

Coffee (Coffea) is also commonly called the Coffee Tree, its learned botanical community ranked among the genus of evergreens belonging to the tribe Coffee (Cofeeae) and included in the Maren family (Rubiaceae). Basically, this representative of the flora in the wild grows on the territory of the African continent and Asia, where the tropical climate prevails, in the same place they cultivate coffee plantations everywhere. However, the real homeland of coffee is considered to be the land of Ethiopia, from where this plant and naturally drink from it, began its journey around the world. First, he came to Iran, and only then to the states of Europe. In total, you can count up to 90 varieties of the coffee family with fragrant fruits - seeds, which people used to call grains.

Most of the varieties of coffee are large shrubs or small trees, the height of which rarely exceeds 8 m. If we talk about indoor cultivation, here you should use only the shrub representatives of this genus. The leaf plates of a coffee tree are usually large in size, their surface is leathery, the color is saturated green. It is for such a green leaf mass that coffee trees are valued for home cultivation. Since the bush form quickly grows in height and width, they are successfully grown indoors. Of all the known varieties, it is the stunted arabica species that possesses such characteristics, but the Robusta simply does not fit in the rooms. Such a plant of arabica can be formed in the form of a real tree with a woody stem and a beautifully decorated crown.

In the process of flowering on the plant, small buds are formed that have white color petals with a strong tropical aroma. From them are collected inflorescences in the form of a false umbrella, resembling a bunch. Buds usually grow on annual shoots and in the inflorescence they can be counted from 8 to 16 units. Each flower has both male and female reproductive organs - these are stamens and pistils, and thanks to this content, the coffee tree is self-pollinating. And again, since arabica is capable of such self-pollination, it is recommended to cultivate it indoors, since a cross process is necessary for robusta.

After flowering, the most important ripening takes place, for which coffee is bred - the seeds. The ripening of the berries takes 3–4 months. When the ripening process is completed, the fruits are ellipsoid-shaped berries, painted in bright red or burgundy color schemes. Inside the fruit is from one to three grains. Each berry has such a short pedicel that it seems sedentary right on the shoot. The peel of the fruit hard and dense. The seeds are surrounded by pulp with a sweet-sour taste, the color of the seed material is predominantly yellowish-green with a gray-wool, before it is processed. The length of a seed can vary in the range of 8–13 mm. And even in the conditions of indoor cultivation, you can pamper yourself with freshly picked coffee beans.

Coffee trees fruit in the third year from planting, but the most abundant harvest can be obtained only in 6–7 years of cultivation. But preferably still greenhouse or greenhouse cultivation of coffee.

Agrotechnics when growing coffee at home

Lighting for a coffee tree should be good, but scattered, as direct sunlight will damage the foliage. Therefore, the side on which the pot of coffee will be placed may have an east, west, southeast, or southwest location. But on the southern direction of the windows will have to make a small shadow with light curtains or curtains. In the summer, you can take the plant to fresh air, but at the same time take care of the desired level of light. However, such movements do not at all like the plant, although they have a great effect on the condition of the crown, but there will not be many flowers and fruits.
Growing temperature Coffee should be kept constant throughout the year at a level no higher than 25 degrees, and only in the autumn-winter period it is reduced gradually to 15–16 units and not lower.
Air humidity. The plant loves moisture with adequate parameters. That is, on hot summer days you can arrange a coffee tree with warm shower baths, but not during the flowering period. The same is done when heating devices work during the winter period. When the plants are still young, to increase their growth every 2–3 days (in the heat of the day) they should be sprayed with a soft and warm water with a spray bottle.
Watering a coffee tree they spend it regularly, but, like many plants, it doesn’t like the substrate gulf, however, it’s impossible to allow the soil to dry in a pot - it’s still a tropical representative of the flora. In the summer, the soil should be moistened 2-3 times a week, and with the arrival of autumn and winter, this procedure will be required only once for 7 days. Water is used only soft and warm, slightly above room temperature - 23-26 degrees.
Coffee fertilizer are brought in the form of mineral and organic preparations. Most often fertilize the plant in spring and summer. Feeding alternate. When there is a build-up of hardwood mass, it is recommended to use drugs with a high nitrogen content. During the flowering period, a full mineral complex should be used, and phosphorus is necessary for fruit ripening. With the arrival of autumn and all winter fertilizers, the coffee tree is not disturbed. Some growers are advised to apply dressing for plants from the family of pink. Coffee also miraculously responds to the addition of a dry mullein to the surface of the soil in the pot. If cross-pollination is required, due to the absence of bees in the house and the wind, this is done manually. At the same time, the flowers are easily shaken, or the buds are driven by a soft bristle.
Coffee tree transplant. For several years in a row, transplants for coffee are needed annually, as soon as spring arrives, but the plant has not yet begun to actively develop. For adults, the pot is changed once every 2–3 years. Since the root system has sufficiently developed volumes, the pot should also be corresponding, the diameter of the container should be increased by 2–4 cm. A drainage layer is piled on the bottom.
Substrate Used for tropical plants. The acidity of the soil is low, and it must also be rich in phosphorus and organic matter. You can mix garden soil, peat, humus soil and coarse sand (the proportions are equal). Also, a handful of wood ash is poured in there for balance.

If the coffee tree is very stretched, then it is only then subjected to pruning.

How to propagate a coffee tree?

Get a new plant with coffee beans, you can sowing seeds or cuttings.

When propagating by seeds, it should be remembered that the material that is intended for beverages - will not work. Fruits must be fully ripe and fresh. And this method does not guarantee the preservation of all properties of the parent instance. If there are ripe home-made coffee berries, then it is necessary to carefully remove the seeds, clearing them from the pulp. Then they are washed in a solution of potassium permanganate. The substrate is prepared 14 days before planting and is made up of sod soil, peat and river sand, some ash can be mixed in. All mixed up and left to "go." The seeds are placed on the ground with the groove down and only slightly press into the substrate no more than 1 cm. Then the crops are well moistened and the container is covered with a transparent lid, a piece of glass or a plastic bag. Contain a container in a bright place, but without the direct rays of the sun. The temperature is maintained at about 25 degrees, you need high humidity, but at the same time daily ventilation. Then sprouts can be expected in a month.

As soon as a pair of true leaves appear, they pick a pictogram into new pots with a diameter of 7 cm. If the stem began to woody and crack, this is a normal process. Sometimes there is even a brown color or spots on the trunk, but this soon passes. The next time the pot is changed after a month, increasing by size. Such a plant will have only one stem, and then skeletal twigs are formed. The coffee will start blooming after 2 years from planting, and berries will appear only in the 4th year.

When cutting, cut the blanks of the branches in the spring period from the crown of the adult specimen, only the middle part of them is used. Escape need to choose last year's growth. The length of the cutting is 10–15 cm. It is placed in a growth stimulator for a day. Then they carry out a landing in a peat-sand mixture, not too deep in the upright position. Shelter in the form of a glass jar or plastic bag is required. Rooting place is needed without direct light streams and with a temperature of about 25 degrees. Daily airing and periodic spraying is required.

After forty days, you can see on the pinwheel cuttings of the kidney - rooting is normal. When a couple of new leaves appear on the branch, it is possible to transplant into a new larger pot with more fertile soil. In the new tank, drainage is needed, the place is bright, but without direct UV flux and periodic spraying.

Difficulties in the cultivation of home coffee and solutions

Almost all parts of the plant (some more less than others) contain caffeine, which serves as a kind of plant protection against pests. However, occasionally there is a defeat with a shield, a spider mite, a black fungus, and also a bean brewer or coffee rust cannot fail to give rest. The treatment is carried out with an appropriate insecticidal preparation.

If the heat drops to 10–12 degrees in winter, the foliage will blacken on the edge, and then the whole surface will become like this and the coffee tree will die.

Despite the fact that there are many varieties, some species are cultivated precisely for the production of fragrant seeds (colloquially, they are called grains), which then, after roasting and boiling, turn into a beloved by many drink - coffee. The most popular in this regard are two types: coffee trees of the Arabian and Congolese varieties. From the first arabica is obtained, and the latter, respectively, become robusta. Also, occasionally, to obtain grains, species of Cameroonian and Bengali coffee are grown.

The whole history of coffee began from the territory of the Middle East and has its roots in ancient times and the first civilizations of those localities. Although so far scientists have not come to a common opinion.

There is a version that the first tonic effect of coffee beans was noticed by the Oromo tribes - the ancestors of the Ethiopian nations. Only here there is no evidence that they knew about coffee in the lands of Africa until the XVII century - no.

There is a true, unproved and unconfirmed legend, that the shepherd of the Ethiopian people, Kaldim, around 850, was the first to see the effect of coffee beans. It was as if he noticed a strange excitement that enveloped his goats, feeding on some strange fruits of the bush. The shepherd decided to taste these nondescript berries - but they turned out to be completely tasteless and bitter, Kaldim spat out them in frustrated feelings. Apparently, a couple of berries fell into a kindled fire, and a divine scent floated over it. Then a drink was prepared from roasted berries, which is still popular all over the world to this day.

The cheerfulness that comes from drinking a coffee drink is provided by caffeine, of which there is up to 2%, as well as organic acids, carbohydrates, fats, as well as proteins, amino acids and minerals. But the excellent taste of coffee give chlorogenic acid and multiple ether-like compounds that appear in the process of roasting grains. The physical effect on the body is due to the alkaloid - caffeine.

Types of coffee

Arabian Coffee (Coffea arabica)Also referred to as the Arabian Coffee Tree. The most common type, it is called Arabica. The native habitat is in the river valleys located in the Kefa region of southwestern Ethiopia. There most often you can find wild thickets of this plant at altitudes of 1600–2000 meters above sea level. This species is widely cultivated in Latin America, as well as in the lands of Indonesia, India and Brazil. It is noticed that at absolute altitude lower than 1200–1500 meters, coffee trees of this variety cannot grow, because they do not tolerate tropical heat and shading by other representatives of the flora. In those areas, it is customary to replace it with the Congolese coffee variety (Coffea Canephora), and the amount of precipitation should be greater than 1,300 mm per year. An evergreen plant can be either a shrub or a tree with a height of about 5 m (sometimes 8–10 m). The length of the taproot is no more than 45 cm, it is short and durable. At the trunk of the bark of a greenish-gray color scheme, crawling. Branches have wilted and sprawling outlines, long and flexible. The leaf plates are entire, lumpy, slightly wavy, oppositely arranged, 5–20 cm in length with a width of up to 1.5–5 cm. Petioles are short, hanging. The flowers of both sexes, white with a fragrant aroma, gather in an inflorescence of 3–6 buds. They can self-pollinate, either wind or insects do it. The shape of the fruit is oval-elliptical or almost spherical. They are a berry that, when ripe, reaches 1.5 cm. The color is yellow or dark red. Full maturity occurs after 9 months from the flowering process. The rind is dense, the seeds are paired with a greenish-gray color scheme. On the one hand, their contours are oval, and on the other there is a deep groove on a flat-convex surface.
Congolese Coffee (Coffea canephora) everywhere referred to as Robusta or Robusta Coffee (Coffea robesta). It is translated as "strong", as it is highly resistant to pests and diseases, as well as high yields. It can usually be both a shrub and a small tree, varying in height from 2 to 10 m. The plant is quite durable. The taproot is shortish, and the overgrowing roots are located in large numbers in the layer of the substrate at a depth of 15 cm. The branches grow in a vertical and horizontal surface (they are fruit) after they die off in a natural order. On Arabica, they remain, and it is possible to remove them by trimming. The leaf plates are entire, with a slight waviness, arranged in the opposite order, they can grow by 5–32 cm in length with a width of about 2–8 cm. The petioles are short, often hanging. The flowers are distinguished by oboepole, whitish, often they are decorated with a cream-brown star-shaped pattern, possess a fragrant aroma. 3-6 units are collected in the inflorescence. Differ in self-sterility and can be pollinated only by the wind. The fruit is a rounded berry, when ripe, it will reach 0.8–1.5 cm in length. It is painted in a dark red tone, and can fully mature 10–11 months after flowering. The rind is very dense, the seeds are cast with a greenish-gray color scheme, they sit in pairs. Like Arabica with a longitudinal groove on the one hand, and the other has a convexity and smoothness.

The main secrets of growing coffee at home in the following video:

Despite the fact that this evergreen plant prefers the tropics, it does not impose any special requirements on the growing conditions. How to grow coffee at home, is it possible to harvest the berries on the windowsill, and not on the coffee plantation?

Breeding methods coffee tree

Is it possible to grow at home? The most affordable method of propagation of coffee tree can be considered unroasted grains sold under the brand "green coffee". You can ask for fresh seeds from friends who plant this exotic plant at home. Coffee seeds are sold in specialized flower shops (including via the Internet) - they have much more chances to ascend than the seeds from the package. Another convenient option is coffee seedlings aged 3-4 months.

Is it possible to grow coffee at home? The experience of lovers of exotic plants confirms this possibility. First of all, disinfect the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. If you use dried grains, be sure to soak them for a day. Then lay them in a nutrient soil (flat side down) and sprinkle with a centimeter layer of earth. Leave a distance of about 3 cm between the seeds. Water the earth with warm settled water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate, cover with glass or film (remove the shelter every 3-4 days to ventilate). The pips will turn in a couple of months. Seed sprouts in different pots, when there will be 2-3 leaves. Flowering coffee tree occurs in the third or fourth year of life, so you have to be patient.

The coffee tree looks extremely beautiful on the windowsill. He has large leaves (up to 15 cm in length). They are painted in bright green color. Flowers are fragrant, white, beautiful.

Selection of soil for growing coffee tree

How to grow coffee from grain at home? As already mentioned, the coffee tree does not impose serious requirements. For the cultivation is ideal ready acidic soil intended for azaleas (you can buy it in the flower shop). If land acquisition is not included in your plans, then prepare a substrate of steamed sod land, clean river sand and sifted peat (1: 2: 2). At the bottom of the pot must be laid drainage.

Coffee tree care

How to grow coffee from seeds? It is imperative to provide seedlings with the right care. It is necessary to maintain optimum soil moisture (it should be especially carefully monitored during the flowering period of the tree). The plant is recommended to be fed with complex fertilizers for flowering plants (the norm is indicated on the package). Iron plays a special role in the development of the coffee tree. Bone meal (20 g / 1 kg of soil) can also serve as a top dressing.

The plant loves the sun, but in summer it can die from direct sunlight (bringing it to the balcony or to the street, you need to provide light partial shade).

During the first year, the coffee tree gives an increase of about 15-20 cm. The next year, skeletal branches grow. The crown of the plant is formed independently. You should not actively intervene in this process (pruning is recommended if the plant takes up a lot of space, you need to adjust the long side branches).

In the first years of life, a tree should be transplanted annually in pots, increasing their diameter by 5 cm. If you do not follow this rule, then you can not wait for flowering. After taking into fruition, transplantation is recommended once every 3-4 years.

The rules of care include spraying the plant with warm water and removing dust from the leaves (use a wet sponge).

In winter, watering is limited. The plant still needs light, but can easily withstand a temperature drop of up to + 16 ... + 18 ° C (this is the optimum temperature for a cold period).

Growing coffee at home is easy. Despite its tropical origin, the plant does not impose increased requirements. You can easily settle an exotic tree on your window sill.