Secrets of home care for the Coffee tree: how it blooms, how to feed, how to transplant and much more. Indoor coffee tree care

growing in wild environment up to five meters, with glossy dark green leaves and white fragrant flowers that appear in the third or fourth year of growth, in place of which green berries are formed, a bit reminiscent of cherries. When ripe, they acquire a dark red color. We are talking about a coffee tree cultivated throughout the tropical regions, which you can grow yourself. It's just that you'll have to be patient. It grows extremely slowly, and will please with the first fruits, at least in six years. But in any case, the house is also no exception. Undoubtedly, it will add elegance and some exoticism to the atmosphere of the house.

The right soil is the first important indicator. Most experts recommend light soil for planting cacti, it drains well. In addition to it, 20% volcanic material is known to be mixed in and the closest replacement for the volcanic soil that the coffee tree prefers. Plant care cannot be called any special, it is quite unpretentious, but the most essential aspect is watering. The soil must be kept moist, but not soggy.

Water after watering should be well absorbed into the soil. To do this, it is better to put the pot with the plant in the place of the drain, leaving it for a few minutes to allow excess water to drain. Approximately 1/3 cup water room temperature poured near the root of the plant. The leaves are the first to signal how good it feels. Does it have enough heat and light, watering and fertilizers. If something is wrong, they will begin to grow brown and sag. In addition, from time to time they need to be wiped with a damp cloth. During the dark and cold months, plants will need

Coffee tree: plant care in summer

If in winter period it is enough to water the plant every two to three days, then in the summer it requires more moisture. As a rule, in summer the plant is taken out into the open air, but protected from bright sunlight and watered every day. In theory, the coffee tree survives cold weather, but at temperatures below 12 degrees it can die.

After five to six years of growth, white or pink flowers, reminiscent of their appearance and aroma of jasmine. The fruit does not require any flower pollination to ripen, only for better yield results, the plant should be fed with fertilizer. Every two weeks - from March to October, then once a month - from November to February.

Inside the ripe fruit are two beans, for which, in fact, the coffee tree is grown. Caring for the plant as a whole can be described as simple, but it must be correct.

Like any other plant, there are diseases. If we talk about coffee grown on an industrial scale, then each part of the plant culture suffers from "its" predators. Roots are attacked by nematodes, a borer burrows through the trunk, and leaves are devoured by caterpillars of more than 100 species of butterflies and moths.

Coffee tree: diseases when growing a plant at home

The main danger is whiteflies. As soon as pests are detected, it is necessary to spray soapy water on the plant for two weeks.

Of the two main types coffee tree- "Arabica" and "Robusta", "Arabica" is more valued because "Robusta" is more bitter in taste and less fragrant. Perhaps, it is for these reasons that Arabica is grown more all over the world. In addition, Robusta contains about forty to fifty percent more caffeine than Arabica and is commonly used in coffee blends.

Surprisingly, coffee grows not only on the African continent and in other warm countries: many do not suspect that it is possible to cultivate a coffee tree at home from a small grain that turned the history of mankind.

A window sill plantation will delight you with its fragrant flowering and fruits in a few years, if you take care of a tropical plant without neglecting the little things. AT vivo shrubs reach a height of 6 meters, at home - no more than two.

History of the coffee tree

A common legend about an Ethiopian shepherd who accidentally discovered coffee thickets was loved by the inhabitants of the planet. But there is no direct evidence of the existence of both the goatherd and the territory where everything happened. Some researchers consider the legend a fictional fairy tale, but Ethiopia is recognized as the birthplace of the coffee tree, from where the plant spread to Egypt, Yemen, the Near and Middle East, and later to Italy, Indonesia, and America.

AT industrial scale coffee trees are bred from germinated beans. During the year they are kept in pots, and then transplanted into the fields. The entire cycle takes no more than two years. Shrubs bloom their fragrant jasmine-like buds for only a few days.

The state of East Africa, where the birthplace of the coffee tree is located, sends coffee to many countries of the world. The main exports are to the USA, Europe, Japan, Saudi Arabia.

Types of coffee trees

Almost 120 names of the coffee tree are known, but their variations continue to be discovered today. All this is happening around the African continent. For commercial purposes, only two types are of interest:

• Arabian;
• Congolese

Obtained from seeds famous varieties:

• - coffee tree at home is the most common;
• - are used mainly in mixtures with Arabica because of the increased bitterness of the fruit.

Only a small percentage of them is occupied by an unpopular variety -. The repulsive smell is the reason for the unpopularity, it is consumed where coffee grows in its natural environment. It is characterized by a sharp aroma and low caffeine content, so it is used as an additive to more delicate varieties to enhance bitterness. The most recognized species is Arabica, which is of commercial interest due to its rich, deep taste and smell. Plantations are bred in East Africa and Central America.

One shrub brings a crop of up to three kilograms per year. The crop is actively harvested for 15 years, although the plant can please with an abundance of berries for more than five decades. Long ago developed practical advice how to grow a coffee tree at home. By adhering to simple requirements, you can enjoy a cup of coffee from your own plantation from the windowsill. To see how a mysterious tree grows, blooms and bears fruit is within the power of every greenhouse lover, and growing at home does not cause supernatural trouble.

How to care for coffee crops

An indoor tree is unpretentious when bred at home, but it needs:

• uniform watering;
• scattered light;
• maximum moisture

The tree does not tolerate cold, but is easily propagated vegetatively and by seeds. A graceful and elegant appearance of a bush in a pot is given by dark glossy leaves and white flowers, similar to a fragile and sophisticated jasmine with a charming smell. Caring for a coffee tree is almost the same as caring for other flowers.

For the home, florists advise choosing a variety of Arabica, but avoiding some rare exotic species, because there is a risk of being left not only without the desired fruits, but also not waiting for the plant to sprout.

Soil and drainage

Like any houseplant, coffee trees need good drainage. It is known that only the Arabica tree, with proper care, is best grafted. In order for the roots to "breathe", expanded clay is used, but ordinary sand is more often used. 2.5 cm of the natural mixture is poured into the bottom of the pot, not placed on top a large number of drainage. The land is distributed, but not compacted. The soil for the coffee tree should be airy.

When transplanting a sprout, it is removed from the transport pot, trying not to damage the roots. It is placed in the center of the vessel. Add earth and upper layer lightly tamped down. After planting, the stalk is watered abundantly. After a while, the soil for the coffee tree settles, and another breathable layer of earth is added to it.

AT winter time when the air is overdried by the heating system, additional manipulations are required in caring for the tree. Decorative pebbles are poured into the pallet and poured into them, creating an auxiliary moistening system. The home tree is placed on top: it will be provided with a favorable atmosphere.

In order for the coffee tree at home to thank in the future with flowering and fruits, it needs to provide slightly acidic soil with good drainage. ready mix for coffee, azaleas or hydrangeas are sold in stores, and grains germinate well in such soil. You can prepare yourself loose earth, where uniformly combine:

• sand;
• leaf humus;
• peat;
• charcoal

The prepared soil is sterilized in a water bath for 5 minutes. Now they sell seeds, and they are excessively hard, so they must be soaked before planting. Use solutions containing potassium or immerse in plain water. After being placed in the soil, the grains sprout in 40–45 days. After a few more months at the room coffee plant the first 2-3 leaves appear, and after that the bush begins to grow rapidly. To form an attractive crown, a single shoot from the seed must be pruned. As a result, the growth point is removed, and the trunk begins to bush. Everyone will agree that the loose house tree much prettier than a thin branch with a few leaves on the sides.

Coffee from a stalk

The easiest way to grow will allow you to bear fruit faster. For planting an indoor coffee tree, half-lignified cuttings with a length of 10 cm or more with 2–3 nodes are used. The lower cut is made oblique and the cutting is planted to a depth of no more than 2 cm. A greenhouse is formed or covered with transparent polyethylene. Be sure to moisten the ground and regularly ventilate. Strengthening occurs after about 30-40 days, after which the seedling must be transplanted into a separate container. Coffee grown from cuttings blooms and gives the first fruits in 2-3 years.

Tree made from coffee beans

On plantations, seeds are sown shortly after harvest, knowing that the berries lose their germination capacity at lightning speed, so it is difficult to grow a tree from grain at home: fresh fruits are needed. Pickers choose fully ripe berries: black and shriveled. They are cleaned, and each grain is carefully filed. Seeds purchased in the distribution network are soaked in warm water or a stimulant solution for a day. To do this, use "Epin", "Kornevin", "Zircon".

Seeds are planted in a peat-sand mixture with the flat side down, in a shallow vessel 1.5–2 cm deep. The container is covered with a film, placed warm at a temperature of 28–30 degrees. Seedlings hatch after 30-40 days, but they can rise later, after which the film is removed. Sprouts with two leaves dive into small pots and put in a well-lit place. Coffee trees grown from seeds bear fruit in 3-4 years.

Lighting and temperature conditions

The tropical plant Arabica is accustomed to warmth and sunlight. AT summer period it is necessary to maintain the temperature at least 23–25 0 C, and in cold weather - at least 15 0 C. But a heat-loving tree does not tolerate direct rays, and when it stands next to heating devices, it sheds leaves. Creating conditions for coffee trees, caring for them includes important points:

• it cannot be moved;
• turn

Install in a place where there will be a stable temperature and humidity. Otherwise, apart from foliage, the tree will give nothing. But if it is necessary to move the pot, then the bush is covered with gauze for several days for soft adaptation to new conditions, and only after that they are placed in another place.

Flowering and fruiting

AT natural conditions coffee blossoms all year round. On one branch, you can observe both flowers and ripe fruits of the coffee tree. Arabica is a self-pollinating plant. Beans ripen for a long time for 9 months. They go from green to almost black.

Caring for a coffee tree at home

The correct maintenance of the coffee tree when growing at home allows you to harvest the first crop in 3-4 years.

Watering

The intensive growth of Arabica begins in March and ends in October. In winter, it reduces its activity and, therefore, watering should be limited. But in summer, the owners constantly moisten the soil, and the leaves are regularly sprayed. Experienced florists when caring for an indoor coffee tree, it is recommended to moisten the soil moderately, without creating a waterlogged root system, which may cause it to die. During heating time, air humidity in apartments usually decreases, but, reducing watering, it is necessary to spray the tree more often, excluding the flowering period.

top dressing

Most fruit tropical plants are not at all intended for growing at home, but there are exceptions among them. In order for coffee to begin to bloom and bear fruit, it needs to grow more than 1.5 m long, and to obtain good harvest, in the spring and summer, regular top dressing is required.

For the coffee tree, fertilizers are used, which include:

• potassium;
• nitrogen;
• phosphorus.

The exception is mixtures with a lot of calcium salts.

It is necessary to feed the earth with a liquid solution no more than 1 time per month, and with a solid solution - during a period of intensive growth.

Diseases and pests of the coffee tree

It happens that some pests sit on coffee. The plant often has such a phenomenon as variegation on the leaves or darkening of their tips. More often, a similar feature can be seen in winter due to lack of light, but if the picture appears in summer, then you need to pay attention to the wrong side of the sheet and whether there is spider mite. Even indoors, plants are not protected from uninvited guests. The reasons for their appearance may be:

• low-quality infected substrate;
• rotting waste;
• plant residues in the window sill greenhouse;
• dirty inventory;
• scissors;
• buckets;
• measuring instruments

Insects can enter through the vent, doors, crevices, etc.

The chemical market today is rich in various pest control products. Fitoverm, for example, is used to destroy several species at once. However, it is better not to bring up the accumulation of pesticides, but to do prevention. First of all, comply with the conditions;

• keep the premises clean;
• protect the coffee tree from pets;
• rinse tools thoroughly with hydrogen peroxide

Directly for the coffee tree, experts recommend using various immunostimulants. They are found in almost all fertilizer manufacturers and have a beneficial effect on the plant as a whole. A fruitful shrub becomes stronger and more resistant to climate change and disease.

When strengthening the trunk during its lignification, spots are observed Brown. Merging with each other, the darkened areas make the trunk evenly colored for a while, after which it brightens.

Good idea for a gift. It can grow in the shade, but the green mass is growing rapidly, and the bush does not bear fruit afterwards. Coffee loves a lot of light, and when exposed to direct rays, the plant looks messy due to leaf burn. In winter, it is moved to a cool place, but the temperature should not fall below 15 degrees. Water carefully, with excessive moisture appear dark spots on the leaves. This means that the number of watering sessions must be reduced. Dried tips signal low air humidity. In winter, the tree is not fed, and soil nutrition in summer is chosen with a minimum amount of calcium salts.

It may seem to many that Arabica coffee is a houseplant, the care of which can only be done 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 be harvested only a few years after planting. However, this flower in itself can become beautiful. decorative ornament 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 in cultural and domestic conditions in many countries. In height, the tree can reach 1.5 m. Coffee has a thick, lush crown, leaves of saturated green color, 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. root system Arabica coffee plants are 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 blooms quickly, in 1-2 days. Six months later, 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 organizing some conditions. However, the effort expended will pay off with a vengeance 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 to it, or put a single cabinet for the plant near the window. At the same time, the flower does not like frequent movements, so the place should be permanent. And it is better if there is a lot of free space around. In addition, the plant must 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 on light. It is best if it is bright, but diffused lighting without direct sunlight. South and East windows perfect option.

In the warm season, coffee trees feel good in the open air - on the balcony, on suburban area. However, you need to provide them with light shelter from the sun in order to ultra-violet rays did not burn the crown.

In winter, the plant needs additional illumination with halogen or fluorescent lamps.

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

Temperature regime 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. Optimum temperature— +22…+24ºC. In winter, it is better to keep the plant away from sources of heating in order to avoid drying and falling leaves.

coffee tree loves Fresh air, so it is desirable to ventilate the room more often.

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

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

An earthen ball in a 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. Never allow the soil to completely dry out.

In winter, watering is reduced, but they make sure that the tree does not lack water.

Room coffee is very fond of spraying warm water. And you can do it every day, especially in the warm season. It is better to spray in the morning or evening hours. In winter, the plant does not need a procedure, but if the foliage is dusty, then you can wipe the leaves with a damp sponge.

Have a beneficial effect mineral supplements. Usually they start at the beginning of the growing season - in the spring - and spend until the flower bears fruit. It is recommended top dressing 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 ammonium nitrate for 1 liter of water. Optimal rate for an adult plant - 1 liter per 1 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 transplant

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 breeding 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 taken from the tree have the highest germination. They are immediately planted in the ground. Deadline storage for seed material- 1 year. Every year it gets worse and worse.

Coffee seeds are its green beans. They can be purchased at the store or taken from a fruiting tree. Each seed has a very dense skin, which makes it difficult to germinate. To speed up the emergence of seedlings, grains can be:

• stand in a very weak solution acetic acid during the day;
• lightly cut the skin sharp knife along the perimeter;
• lightly tap the seed with a hammer - so that the skin bursts a little.

After these procedures, it is imperative to keep the seeds in a stimulant solution, such as Heteroauxin.

Sowing is carried out in small containers filled with a nutrient mixture. Coffee prefers acidic soils rich in humus. Land for sowing consists of light soddy soil - 1 part, leafy soil - 0.5 parts and large 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 sunny side windows, and additionally illuminate in winter. Crops are periodically moistened and ventilated. At proper care in a month, sprouts of young coffee should hatch.

As soon as the plants get stronger, they dive into pots with a diameter of 5-7 cm with the same composition of the earth. This usually happens 10-12 months after seedlings have appeared. 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 earth mixture: sod, 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 obliquely from an adult plant. In this case, each should have at least 2 internodes. The distance to the lower kidney is 2 cm. The leaves on the cuttings are shortened by half to avoid moisture loss.

The cuttings are placed in a nutrient substrate consisting of peat and coarse-grained river sand. It is better to ignite it for 1 hour in the oven to destroy bacteria and pests. Each shoot is buried in the soil by 1-1.5 cm, the ground is lightly tamped, 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 the plants have new shoots, 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 exposed to 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 transplanted every year, 3-4-year-olds - 1 time in 2 years, and tubers - as needed. The pots should be tall because the coffee has a deep central root. Be sure to take care of good drainage - pour a layer of expanded clay on the bottom of the tank or broken brick. 1 part of humus is added to the standard composition of the substrate.

When transplanting, it is better not to disturb the root structure, but to transfer the lump completely, pouring soil from the side and top, slightly tamping it.

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

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

The 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 patiently wait 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 fragrant grains per year.

Now on the windowsills of the most ordinary apartments quite exotic plants can be found. Such crops are not very rare now, but trying to grow them on your own is a very interesting and exciting activity. The most common exotic indoor plants include laurel, lemon Tree and other types of citrus. Also, many of our fellow citizens are fond of growing coffee trees. And it is very disappointing when a plant grown with such difficulty begins to wither. Let's talk on this "Popular about Health" page about what diseases of the coffee tree are possible at home, and find out how to treat them.

How to treat diseases of the coffee tree?

Basically, in the coffee tree at home, diseases most often occur from improper care. Most often, owners of coffee trees are faced with the problem of yellowing leaves on their pet. Sometimes a similar phenomenon indicates a disturbed health of the plant's root system. It may begin to rot due to excessive watering, or, conversely, dry out due to lack of moisture. In any situation, you must try to normalize watering.

So, in order for the plant to be healthy, you need to water it when the soil in the pot dries out by three centimeters. Watering should be quite plentiful. At a time, you need to pour so much water into the flower so that the earth gets wet to the very bottom. Further, watering should be carried out again only if necessary - after the same drying of the soil by three centimeters. At the same time, it is worth using exclusively soft settled water for irrigation. Even to prevent yellowing of the leaves, it is worth carrying out periodic spraying of the tree.

Yellowing of the leaves of the coffee tree can occur with a lack of sunlight. This plant is best grown on a southern windowsill, but it should be shaded. Also, window sills located on the southwest or southeast side will be a good option. In the cold season, it will not be superfluous to organize the illumination of the plant using fluorescent lamp.

Sometimes the leaves of the coffee tree turn very yellow after transplantation if it was not done correctly. So, flower growers strongly do not recommend carrying out this procedure with a complete replacement of the soil. If the age of the plant has exceeded two or three years, you just need to transfer it to a pot a little bigger size or replace the top layer of the earth. If an error has already occurred during the transplant, you should organize a coffee tree makeshift greenhouse. Take pretty big package and cover the plant with it so that the polyethylene does not touch the leaves. At the same time, reduce watering to a minimum, but carry out frequent spraying - once a day. In the spray liquid, add a couple of drops of epin to one glass of water or four drops of cyclone per liter of water. Also, water with this solution of cyclone once a week. After the plant begins to give new foliage, and the old one stops turning yellow, it can be considered recovered.

Sometimes the coffee tree gets sick so that its leaves become dry and blackened. This situation is possible when using hard water for irrigation. At the same time, the soil begins to accumulate salt, which negatively affects the health of the root system. In such a situation, it is better to change the top layer of soil in the pot to a new one and carry out further moistening only using a soft boiled water.

Even blackening of the leaves of a coffee tree can be observed when it is exposed to several adverse factors, among which there may be overflow or overdrying of the soil, a lack of light (especially in cold weather). brown spots plants appear on the foliage when the roots are overheated (when the plant stands in the bright sun in summer). In such a situation, shading and abundant watering should be organized for him.

Old leaves on a coffee tree may well turn black and fall off, which can be considered as a variant of the norm.

The coffee tree rarely gets sick. But sometimes it can suffer from fungal and bacterial attacks.
For example, if a lot of black spots appear on the leaves, after which they begin to crumble, the plant may have been struck. fungal disease. Fungi are also to blame if a rusty coating is observed on the foliage. It is quite difficult to cope with such diseases, but with a quick reaction, the plant can be saved. To process it, you need to use special antifungal agents from the nearest flower shop, also suitable Bordeaux liquid, and copper sulfate. They are used for spraying.

If any damage is found on the trunk of the plant, it is necessary to immediately treat them with a solution blue vitriol. After all, such a violation of integrity is the entrance gate for pathogens.

If the plant suffers from excessive watering, its roots may be affected. root rot. In such a situation, the tree should be transplanted into new soil, cutting damaged areas roots and treating them with potassium permanganate. After that, it is necessary to organize a greenhouse for the plant - as indicated above.

With proper care, the coffee tree rarely gets sick and pleases its owners with an attractive appearance.

The coffee tree is exotic plant. It is very thermophilic and is grown at home as an ornamental. On the open ground do not grow coffee. The tree at home grows no more than 2 m in height. With proper care, you can collect from it a small amount of fruits and grains, but coffee plantations cannot be grown. Despite the exotic, grow room view coffee tree is not as difficult as it seems at first glance.

Indoor coffee tree: description

The coffee tree belongs to the Rubiaceae family. Africa is considered the birthplace of this plant, but coffee also grows well in the territory. South America, in Cuba. The plant is very thermophilic, evergreen.

The coffee tree, which is considered expensive and troublesome to care for, actually grows well in apartment conditions (if you choose dwarf varieties), and care is required no more than for any other indoor plant. As a rule, only small domestic trees are grown in Russia for decorative purposes.

Subject to the rules, they bear fruit, but in very small quantities.

The history of coffee goes back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Even then, the coffee drink was popular and is considered mandatory at many ceremonies.

Features of the structure of the plant:

• The home coffee tree looks like a small shrub with dense, dark green, leathery leaves that are slightly wavy along the edges.
• The leaves are arranged in tiers.
• The flowers of the tree are small, white, collected in small inflorescences resembling an umbrella.
• The coffee fruit is not large green berry. When the fruit ripens, the berry turns bright red. Inside the berry are 2 seeds about 1 cm in size.
• The coffee tree does not bloom immediately. Depending on the variety, you need to wait from 2 to 6 years.

All parts of the coffee tree contain caffeine, which helps repel pests. It is believed that the coffee tree helps to purify the air from heavy metals, nourishes the energy of a person, helps to strengthen the nervous system.

Can be grown at home the following types coffee trees:

• Arabian coffee. This is a favorite variety of many flower growers. The plant reaches a height of no more than 2 m. The leaves are slightly elongated, the flowers are white, small and very fragrant. May bloom several times a year. The fruit is small, red, inside 2-3 seeds. This variety has several varieties. The species called Nana is especially small and suitable for apartments.
• Liberian coffee. This variety is larger, taller with big leaves(up to 40 cm). Because of its size, it is not often grown indoors. The flowers are white, the fruits are yellowish-red with large seeds.
• Robusta. Low grade. The leaves are bright green, with veins and a small fluff. Flowers white, fragrant.

Caring for a coffee tree is not much different from the standard care of any other houseplant. Flowering of the coffee tree may be delayed if the care is not correct.

To show off your own coffee beans, you need to try to provide the plant with the most comfortable conditions:

• Lighting. Coffee loves a lot of light, but not direct rays, but diffused light. In winter, it is necessary to provide the plant with additional artificial lighting. The bright sun can damage a young plant, and a lack of light leads to slower growth, lack of flowering and fruiting.
• Temperature. Coffee is a heat-loving plant, but the plant does not like heat and stuffiness. Optimal conditions for cultivation is the air temperature not higher than 24 degrees. In winter, the plant needs to be allowed to rest, it slows down its growth, so it is advisable to reduce the temperature to 15 degrees. More low temperatures are not recommended, as coffee tolerates cold worse than heat.
• . Water the plant as needed. The soil in the pot should always be slightly damp, but not muddy or dry. In summer, water more often, the water should be soft, at room temperature. In winter, watering is reduced, but the tree is still periodically watered so that the soil does not dry out.
• Humidity. The coffee tree loves moist air. To maintain a sufficient level of humidity, you can use humidifiers, a tray of water, regular spraying. It is also necessary to wipe the leaves from dust regularly. With a lack of moisture, the tips of the leaves begin to dry out and curl up.
• . Coffee needs top dressing in spring and summer, when the period is active growth and flowering. You can feed the plant during this period every 2 weeks. As a top dressing suitable complex mineral fertilizer. For best result it is recommended to alternate and . From the second half of autumn until the next spring, it is not necessary to feed the plant.
• Transfer. The coffee tree grows well, so in young age it needs to be transplanted every year, choosing a larger pot. It is undesirable to disturb adult plants unnecessarily.

Landing and transfer: terms and rules

Growing a coffee tree is no more difficult than a lemon tree, if you know the basic rules and features. The easiest way to grow a tree from coffee bean(of course, not fried). The plant needs to be transplanted regularly as it grows.

Compliance with the rules of landing and transplantation is guaranteed good growth and survival of the tree:

• You can find a coffee bean in a store (gardening) or ask the owner of this tree for a seed.
• The coffee seed has a very dense shell, so the grain must be soaked in a solution of hydrochloric acid or just filed a little to destroy the shell, otherwise the seed will not germinate.
• Also, the grain is soaked in a growth stimulator. Similar drug can be found in stores or ordered online.
• When planting, the soil should be slightly moist, loose. The seed does not go deep into the soil. A pot with a planted seed is placed on the windowsill in the brightest place. Greenhouse conditions you can not create, coffee rises well. The temperature should be above 20 degrees.
• Soil for planting and transplanting plants can be purchased at a specialized store or made independently. The coffee tree loves acidic soils with peat, sand, and humus in equal proportions. You can add some crushed charcoal.

More convenient way reproduction, as the stalk gives roots faster, grows in width and begins to bloom earlier. Cuttings are cut from the selected mature tree. Each cutting must be at least 8 cm long and have 2 buds. Each cutting is planted in a separate container with a prepared moistened substrate. They need to be put in a warm place (temperature not lower than 27 degrees) with sufficient humidity, or covered with a film that needs to be opened periodically.

When the cuttings take root, they can be planted in permanent pots. The pot is better to choose a little more, as the plant grows strongly. When transplanting, prepare a fresh substrate (slightly damp) in a larger pot. The soil in the old pot needs to be moistened, slightly loosen the ground and carefully pull out the plant along with earthy clod. The tree is placed in a new pot, sprinkled with soil. You can water a little. Don't forget about drainage.

Diseases and pests: control and prevention

There are some peculiarities of caring for a coffee tree. It can get sick from improper care more often than from pests, since caffeine repels many insects.

For example, a coffee tree does not like to be disturbed, moved and rearranged - a change in rotation can lead to leaf fall.

Most often, the following diseases and pests occur in the coffee tree:

The coffee tree can be infected from others indoor plants, so they need to be inspected regularly for spots and larvae. With proper care, the likelihood of disease is minimized.

More information can be found in the video: