Ever tried Coffee?

I know you did not.

IT IS OKAY.

Remain calm and in control, I will tell you all you need to know..

Write this down. The only person you can trust is yourself.

You may have an urge to have a conversation with the shelves at Wholefoods but they do not know. I tried.

The best coffee you could ever try is the one you grew.

First. The plants are gorgeous.

Second. You will kill it if you do not do what I tell you.

4 KEY THINGS.

DIRT.

In their natural habitat they grow on Moderately Acidic Soils in Filtered Sun and plenty of moisture.

Gary’s Best Acid Mix (Laguna Hills Nursery) is by far the most superior potting soil you can plant it in. It contains ZERO compost or shredded wood. Tropical plants love moisture and you have to ensure the soil is consistently moist. If your choice is compost and you decide to keep it consistently moist it will rot away and facilitate the successful demise of your plant’ s root system. Choose wisely. There is not much choice on the market.

PLACEMENT.

The climate in Southern California Varies greatly. Just know that 40-50F at night is too cold for a Coffee Plant. Place your tree against the South Facing Wall. If you do not have a South facing wall you will have to build a wall. AGAINST the wall is the key here. Shelter it from the wind.

Freeze protection Plant Cover and ground Cover Blanket (if the plant is in ground) is what I get for plants that are exposed to temperatures below 50F and may not survive. This goes for most tropical plants, Bananas, Mangoes, Lychee. If you are in Zone 10, like in Los Angeles, you should be fine with just building a wall;). For example, planting Zone 9b (where it gets as low as 40F in winter Months) will most certainly kill your unprotected tropical plants over the winter.

You may choose to bring your plant inside, but I would suggest “training” your plants for whats coming for the rest of their lives. Some will appreciate it, some will give up. I have not lost any of the Coffee Plants over the winter in Los Angeles.

WATER. WATER. WATER. PLANTS LIKE WATER.

Just like you do. Make sure it is not hot or warm water. Warmer water has very little air in it. Plant’s roots need oxygen to breathe. Cool water has more air molecules. Always use the nozzle when watering your trees to aerate your water.

FERTILIZER.

I use Osmocote smart release when I first get the plant started. However, after that I apply fertilizers only occasionally. Coffee grow on mineral rich soil, to provide the resemblance of this I use Whole Gardener’s Simply Micros Organic Fertilizer. Down to Earth is also one of the best well rounded fertilizer brand. Aged Chicken Manures remain my favorite for all the fertilizing I choose to do.

If you have clay soils, you are blessed to have fertile soil, which is rich in mineral content. There is less air in Clay and it is more alkaline. Break it up with pumice, sand, charcoal and peat moss if you are planting in ground in clay soils. And Simply Sulfur, Soil Acidifier. Do not mix in the compost into clay you will ruin the chances for your tropical plants forever.

It is recommended to fertilize your potted plants more than you would when the plants are in the ground. The minerals leach out of the pot and do not remain in the soil as they would otherwise.

ADMIRE IT.

Plants like being looked at. Trust me. Give it a long stare.

AND WATER.