Growing Coffee Trees a Project

Koffee_Kosmo · December 2011

I have started a project to sprout some green coffee beans
The beans were given to me from a farm located in the Northern NSW area

So far I have placed the green beans in a container with enough water that barely covers them [see photo one]

After a couple of days (today in fact) I observed that one bean has sprouted [see photo 2 & 3]
One will also observe that some beans have a bright green tinge starting to envelop them

As more beans spout I will then transfer them to soil and post my progress again

KK

GaryatGala · December 2011

Mine has not sprouted yet. I wonder how long beans can keep for germination before it's no good? Had mine sitting around for 5 months sealed before attempting to germinate them in spring time. How long did it take before yours started sprouting KK? Gary at G

Koffee_Kosmo · December 2011

on 1323317571:

Mine has not sprouted yet. I wonder how long beans can keep for germination before it's no good? Had mine sitting around for 5 months sealed before attempting to germinate them in spring time. How long did it take before yours started sprouting KK? Gary at G

The beans that I used came from Coffee Prince and would be over a year old or closer to 2 years old Gary, the first bean that sprouted was 4 days in water I have been told that one can also use water soaked cotton wool to germinate seeds I also have a Styrofoam box - one normally used for grapes, to plant the spouted beans already prepared KK

GaryatGala · December 2011

Great to know AM. I'll sit tight for the time being and wait. Will provide feedback based on the mediterranean climate here if it all works through the growing period. Got another set of beans i can germinate in cotton wool KK. Will try that. Gary at G

sidoney · December 2011

That sounds like fun! I like plants. I wonder if there are any that would grow around Sydney.

Koffee_Kosmo · December 2011

on 1323386733:

That sounds like fun! I like plants. I wonder if there are any that would grow around Sydney.

Yes they will Crema member Thundergod has a few trees growing in Sydney and currently cultivating KK

sidoney · December 2011

Thanks! We already have citrus, stone fruit and more here. I'll have to find a spot that would suit it.

Koffee_Kosmo · December 2011

on 1323388057:

Thanks! We already have citrus, stone fruit and more here. I'll have to find a spot that would suit it.

They like it amongst other trees similar to a rain forest KK

Koffee_Kosmo · April 2013

I have 2 surviving coffee trees of three ( one died ) They have been in small pots for a year or so Time to upgrade them to a new home I purchased some Garden Go / Easy Go tubs on wheels - these are to help a gardener move light stuff around However I decided to modify them and turn them into mobile pots for the Coffee trees Each holds 3 potting mix bags - The potting mix I selected has slow release fertiliser mixed in Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Koffee_Kosmo · April 2013

Continuing on I placed some rocks on the bottom to assist in drainage and give the EasyGo some bottom weight stability Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Koffee_Kosmo · April 2013

The freshly planted coffee trees in new deep pots that can be moved at the gardeners discretion [attachimg=1] Ohh The potting mix I used Attachment not found.

sholayer · April 2013

KK The trees are looking great, A note about a photo just above - you installed geofabric "to assist in ant control". I know nothing about ants etc but spoke to a horticultural advisor when I realised I had a problem with my tree. I have a 5 yo growing inside and it sometimes gets hit with mealy bug, ants are very useful in controlling this, they actually run around the tree eating the mealy bug. Do you have any ideas for budgies? - my new budgie is shredding the lovely new growth. :pan Chris

Koffee_Kosmo · April 2013

Hiya Chris The ants can still climb up the side of the pots, no one can stop that I just don't want them to get an easy ride :angel: For your budgie I suggest you see a vet However we have a lovebird peach face and it loves to shred newspaper and he also likes to shred his cloth cage covers as well Here is an updated photo of the coffee trees after the repotting Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Koffee_Kosmo · May 2013

A quick photo update New shoots sprouting on the coffee trees since repotting them Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Lacehim · June 2013

Nice KK. I have one planted in the yard, and some baby ones have sprouted around it (I tipped a few handfuls of unwanted black cherries on there for mulch), and I have one in a pot at the front door which is looking good. I scored a food processor with a plastic blade for $5 at the school fete today so I can finally process the 600gm of home grown beans that I've already processed last year. I just need to remove the parchment and they are ready to roast!

I got these beans from a neighbour who has 2/3 mature trees. Also I read that leaving the parchment on the beans is actually better for them during storage, and they can last a lot longer!

A few days ago I roasted a very small batch that only came from my trees in my yard (over 2 years may I add). Can't wait to try them! They roasted very well in the KKTO, and must only be around 75gm.

askthecoffeeguy · June 2013

my parents in law on the sunny coast have a mature tree about 3m high in their backyard which gives off many kgs of fruit each year - never got around to harvesting it though!

Lacehim · June 2013

on 1371029562:

my parents in law on the sunny coast have a mature tree about 3m high in their backyard which gives off many kgs of fruit each year - never got around to harvesting it though!

If they let me know when they are red and ready for picking I can easily pop over to take them off their hands!

RichardM · June 2013

Lacehim: my maturing trees are doing well, but the one you gave me is up to 8 leaves now. I probably should put it outside.

derrilex · July 2013

I'll jump on the back of KK's thread and map the progress of my plants. I started by soaking the beans as per KK until a little sprout came out. Then Potted them out into seedling trays. See what happens. I've planted about 30 Yirg seeds and 20 Pshite seeds.

Lacehim · July 2013

I'm going to try some tree in my aquaponics set up when I get it running. Should be interesting. The bigger tree I have out the front has some cherries on it, but it's about to have a massive flowering! Should be interesting.

Koffee_Kosmo · July 2013

I am sure you will have a high success rate Deririex Just two weeks ago I collected some tree dried cherries from locally grown coffee trees I also have some K7 beans from Notrern NSW At about our Queensland spring I will try again the process of soak and plant out Attachment not found.

derrilex · July 2013

All good KK. Lacehim, I have a hippy mate down here who is right into all the permaculture and aquaponics stuff. He is also the local newsagent so he gets all the cool mags to read. He comes up with all sorts of things I wouldn't have thought of. Signs of a man with too much time on his hands :D :D

Lacehim · August 2013

Only got 12 beans off both trees this year. Maybe more on the way, but a bit disappointing.

Koffee_Kosmo · August 2013

on 1376698891:

Only got 12 beans off both trees this year. Maybe more on the way, but a bit disappointing.

The larger the soil area the larger the crop Also lots of organic fertiliser is needed when in pots Try mixing some charcoal and sugar cane mulch with seaweed fertiliser in the soil and a good cover of sugarcane mulch on top to prevent the soil from drying out KK

Koffee_Kosmo · November 2013

An update After repotting in large planter tubs the coffee trees have grown approx 300 mm (12") Probably need to fertilise soon but at present they are looking very healthy Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Lacehim · November 2013

Mine has flowered in spectacular fashion. I've never seen so many. My dward tree out the back doesn't get anywhere near as many. Cherries are starting to form now!

I might actually get a decent crop this time! Fingers crossed.

Lacehim · November 2013

My big coffee tree is doing amazingly well. It flowered and flowered, and now it's set to produce an amazing crop by the look of the branches. Check it out!

This was a full size from Bunnings I think planted in a big pot. I give it some worm castings and worm wee, and abit of fertiliser now and again and the dwarf our the back in doing well too. It's planted in the ground, but gets more shade, so it's not as big.

Koffee_Kosmo · November 2013

That is one healthy plant that will probably produce about a kilogram of beans for you to roast KK

Lacehim · November 2013

It does seem to like it there. Gets the morning sun and in the shade in the arvo. It did get a bit neglected while I was away, but I think someone was turning the water off, but it's now on a timer and I took the tap handle off!

It gets plenty of water! I'm thinking of trialing a coffee plant in my aquaponics set up set up in a pot, with continuous flow. Considering the growth I've got over the 2 weeks with the veggies it's worth a try!

derrilex · November 2013

Provided the roots don't mind being that wet they should do well I reckon. I'm just about to plant out some germinated seeds. See what happens this time

Koffee_Kosmo · January 2014

An upgrade of sorts Since replanting to larger pots the trees have grown very fast They are now my height and just yesterday I noticed 3 new flowers on one tree I have been fertilising them due to this fast growth spirt Some photos The very first coffee flowers :thumb: Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

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