coffee plant

[sbb]

i have a coffee plant from the sydney aromafest last year
dont know what the beans are ?????? :P
tell me what will make it big and strong

[g00se]

Re: coffee plant

ssb, I think the trees dont really start cropping until their about 3yrs old. So I guess its just a matter of waiting...

[Thundergod]

Re: coffee plant

The guy that sold me mine said they might start to crop after 12 months but only a few berries.

Each crop will gradually increase in number and after about 3 or 4 years they should be cropping well.

Whether hes right about the 12 months remains to be seen.

[grendel]

Re: coffee plant

Coffee plants like well drained soil and a fairly neutral PH balance. They like feeding and compost helps here but youll need to watch that the compost doesnt make the soil too acidic - apply lime to balance the PH.

We have fairly alkaline soils in our part of WA so I can use compost without the need to add lime.

Coffee grows best out of the wind - so somewhere sheltered - even under the canopies of other trees is good.

[Rolley]

Re: coffee plant

Ive had a few trees for a about a year and a half now, theyre fruiting at the moment, not ripe yet though.. Unfortunately, mealy bugs have totally infested half the branches (i tried a few things but nothing really worked 100%).. so when they do crop youll have to think about pest control.
The current crop is small - theyre in a half shade half sun position, minimal wind.. for you being down south, youll really have to keep them away from frosts if possible - thatll be a ruiner. Ive read different things about caring for the trees - living in the tropics make it easier though because if you want you can leave it to the natural rain and weather cycles (i fertalise all my fruit trees once a year too though!).. mulch is always good of course too, not sure if you can get cane mulch down there but that stuff is awsome ; )
Rolley

[sbb]

Re: coffee plant

cool just got home from work
and loving your replies on my coffee tree
i have a good compost bin did not try the lime yet
i will get on to it

[Rolley]

Re: coffee plant

thats good to hear!
dont just put the lime on, make sure you test the PH if youre going to do that.. you can buy little cheap ph soil testing kits from nurseries and stuff.

[Rolley]

Re: coffee plant

Oh, you might wana suss out my old post for interest..
Ill post again in this thread http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1171156527 when my beans ripen up and i try to process some.

[sbb]

Re: coffee plant

ohh ok sounds good i will go and have a look at
flowerpower this weekend

mmmmmm do you think i am mad i am so psyched about having
my own tree and roasting / drinking my own beans woo hooo

[Rolley]

Re: coffee plant

hah no, i dont think youre mad! but.. i have my own trees too so maybe others will think WE are mad. hah. nahhhhh!!

[Thundergod]

Re: coffee plant

I read, and posted recently, that a 1:19 ratio espresso to water makes a good bug repellant.

[sbb]

Re: coffee plant

if you did a mild garlic and warm water mix to repel bugs would you get
garlic beans ...................... ian is thinking