Coffee tree in nature grows in a tropical climate.
Therefore, it is very important for a coffee tree to grow and maintain it at home, to create similar environmental parameters for it, namely, good lighting, heat, high humidity.
And the selection of the soil here is also important.
Soil / ground for coffee tree
What ground is needed for coffee? (composition)
Coffee tree grows on soils with a weak acid reaction pH 5-5,5.
The following soil composition has proven itself well:
- Sod land - 40%;
- Leaf land - 30%;
- Sand - 20%;
- Peat - 10%.
Saplings up to 4 years can even come up with such a soil composition: turf soil, sand, and leaf earth at a ratio of 1: 1: 2. Such plants are transplanted Once a year.
For adult plants (5-10 years), they also take turf land, humus, leaf soil, sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 3: 0.5. Such a soil mixture is suitable for older plants. They are transplanted 1 time in 3-5 years.
It is recommended to add sphagnum moss to the soil mixture. It will very well enrich the soil, provide it with acidity and will retain moisture.
In the photo below you will see the components of the mixture look like:
Turf ground
Leafy ground
Peat ground
The method of preparation of the mixture
Ground mix should be prepared in advance. Experienced gardeners prepare the soil 2 weeks before transplanting to allow it to settle. Decontamination by steaming or piercing in the oven is recommended.
If it is not possible to make a similar composition of the soil, then choose any Universal soil. An azalea soil mix is even better; it also has an acidity pH equal to 4,5-5,5.
To it must be added 25% of sand and a little coal crumb. You can use several tablets of activated charcoal.
There is information that a young stalk of a coffee tree grows very well in a mixture peat and perlite (this is such a building sand) in a 1: 1 ratio. When planting, this mixture should be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Attention! When planting the soil is not compacted! The earth should be light, loose, soft and not dried out.
Soil enrichment with mineral fertilizers
During the active growing season (spring - summer), feeding is carried out 2 times a month with diluted fertilizer from mullein or chicken manure.
Also, once a month, the soil is fertilized with mineral fertilizers. The most suitable dressing for flowering plants or for roses.
Therefore, 2 - 3 times a month for watering should be acidified (2 - 3 drops of lemon juice per 1 liter of water).
It is very important to remember about drainage in order to prevent an excess of moisture in the soil.
It is important to knowthat when a neutral or alkaline soil reaction slows down the absorption of nutrients by the plant. There will be a delay in the development of the tree, the leaves may turn black (necrosis will occur), the tree will not bloom.
Conclusion
Coffee tree is completely unpretentious in the care at home.
Properly picking up the soil for planting and following the care instructions, you can enjoy for many years beautiful dark green leaves, fragrant white flowers and berries of red or violet-blue.
In slightly acidic soil also grow: Begonia garden, Deciduous Begonia, Siberian Cypress, Pteris Fern, Allamandu, Anthurium Crystal, Garden Balsam, Money Tree and some others.
