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Is it possible to grow coffee at home: advice from those who have already received their first harvest
03.01.2023 04:30
Updated: 13.04.2023 05:33
Many people love coffee as a drink, but few know that you can grow a coffee tree and even harvest your own beans in an ordinary apartment or private house. And it won't require much effort.
This evergreen plant with beautiful glossy leaves will decorate any interior.
In the wild, it is a tall tree or shrub that can reach up to 8 meters. Therefore, its growth will have to be regulated.
Below are some tips based on the experience of those people who not only grew a tree at home, but also managed to get a harvest.
Sowing
Coffee seeds germinate well, so it is easy to grow it yourself, simply by placing the seeds in a moist, loose substrate.
Soil for seedlings or tropical plants will do. For friability, you can add coarse sand or vermiculite.
To prevent the soil from drying out, it is recommended to build a mini-greenhouse over the pot, covering the container with cellophane, glass or a transparent lid. Place the container in a warm place (17-20 degrees).
Seeds take a long time to germinate, sometimes it takes several months. Everything depends on the conditions and age of the seed material.
Coffee beans quickly lose their germination capacity, so it is recommended to sow immediately after the berry has been picked from the tree and the grain has been removed from it.
But it is not always possible to plant fresh seeds. You can "wake up" dry grains by soaking them in warm water (about 50 degrees) for 30 minutes before planting.
Note: coffee tree berries are edible and even tasty.
Care
The coffee tree is not very demanding in care. It does not like drafts, cold, excessive watering, dry air. Caring for it is no different from caring for most indoor plants.
Includes moderate watering, annual replanting for the first 3-4 years, and fertilizing in the summer. Loves a warm shower and well-lit places. In the summer, you can take it outside, having previously accustomed it to the effects of sunlight.
Start with 5 minutes outside, increasing the time spent outdoors over time. While the tree is small, you can pamper it with a warm shower.
Prevention of diseases and pests
If there are many other flowers in the room, diseases and pests, such as spider mites, can migrate from them to the tree. To prevent this from happening, you need to carry out preventive treatments from diseases and pests from time to time. Biological insecticides and fungicides, which can be bought in flower or gardening stores, cope well with this task.
Trimming
The plant tolerates pruning well. It is advisable to form the crown from the 3rd year of life, adjust the height according to your own preferences. Someone wants a beautiful flower on the windowsill, and someone a tree whose crown touches the ceiling.
Coffee begins to bear fruit when it reaches a height of 1.5 meters. Do not forget that the tree grows in a limited space, so to get a good harvest it needs regular feeding.
