Kona Coffee 'Kona typica'

I only have experience with growing coffee in containers in a Northern temperate zone. If you plant coffee in a tropical area, your expe...Read Morerience will differ from mine. See [HYPERLINK@www.ctahr.hawaii.edu] for tropical planting instructions. My growing instructions do not apply to areas near the equator.

Coffea arabica is a strictly tropical plant. It tolerates cool temperatures well, but the first breath of frost can kill the plant. However, it is suitable for growing indoors. This is the only way I can grow coffee trees.

Seeds do not remain viable long term. Sow them within a few months of harvest. I have had the best luck when I plant seeds in June. It takes about two months of warmth and moisture for seeds to sprout. If I plant seeds in early June, I expect to see sprouts by the first of August. I use two liter bottles with the tops cut off and drainage holes punched in the bottom and fill them with a high quality, well drained, commercial potting mix without any moisture control additives.. With consistent warmth (inside my sunroom), I've seen nearly 100% germination. Without consistent warmth (outdoors), the germination rate can be quite low. Sow the seeds and cover them with about a half inch to 3/4 inch (2cm) of soil. Keep consistently moist, but do not let the soil get soggy. I place the containers in full sunlight.

Where I live, the sprouts receive warm temperatures until the end of September. Most have enough strength by this point to withstand the cool temperatures in my sunroom over the winter.

The next Spring, I transplant the seedlings to a 3 gallon (12 liter) tall container (11 inch diameter by 12 inch high, 28 cm diameter by 30 cm high). After all danger of frost has passed, I take the sprouts outdoors for the summer. I bring them inside before the first frost date in my area. Once the saplings grow to about two feet tall (60cm) I transplant them into their permanent containers. These containers are 22 inches (56cm) in diameter by 18 inches (46cm) tall and more or less conical in shape. Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the container. I still use the high quality, fast draining commercial potting mix. I mount my large containers on casters so they are easier to move. Planting coffee in containers naturally dwarfs the plants.

After three to five years, you may start to see flowers. The more sunlight you give the plants, the more flowers you will get, however if you take indoor plants outside, gradually acclimate them to full sunlight or the leaves will sunburn. The plants will tolerate indoor shade year-round, but you won't get many flowers or fruit. Flowers mostly grow on the portions of the side branches that are a year old; very rarely on younger or older twigs. Coffea arabica is self fertile and a good rain or spray with water should pollinate the flowers. I have observed native bees and sometimes honeybees visiting the flowers. The flowers only last two or three days.

It takes about nine months or so for the cherries to ripen. It is important to keep the plants moist but not soggy as the cherries grow and ripen. I water my mature trees two to three times each week (including rainfall). Once the cherries turn a deep red color, they are fully ripe and ready for harvest. I have not yet pruned my producing trees, but I've been told it will make them more productive. My trees yield about a half-pint (1/4 liter) each of dried green coffee beans each year.