Cultivating your own Arabica coffee plant at home: A possible solution to never-ending bean purchases
Most people start their day with a stimulating cup of black coffee. Buying coffee beans can often feel like a never-ending cycle, especially when new brands disappoint us. That's what makes cultivating your own coffee so appealing. All you need to do is purchase an exotic plant and provide the right conditions. One particular species, the Arabica coffee plant, can even be grown in an apartment.
Growing Coffee at Home
There's no need to set up a complete coffee plantation from scratch. The first few years are for nurturing your plant and testing different techniques that will encourage your coffee plant to bloom. But before that, you need to start with the basics, which is the seeding. You have two options: purchase a pre-made seedling or use special seeds. If you choose the latter option, don't delay in planting; the seeds lose their germination potential quite fast. Once you have a tiny seedling, you can start taking care of it properly.
Begin by optimizing your home's temperature, which should be around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. Position the plant in a bright spot, but shield it from direct sunlight. The coffee tree thrives in a humid environment and needs frequent watering, so consider placing it near a humidifier or a water tank, like an aquarium. This is particularly crucial in winter when dry air could cause the soil to lose its moisture quickly.
How to Make Your Coffee Plant Blossom?
The substrate or the medium in which the plant grows is one of the most crucial factors that guarantee blossoming. A poor mix will inhibit root development, thus blocking any chance of growth. The soil must be really fertile, permeable, and slightly acidic. You can create your own mix or use ready-to-use packages suitable for citrus cultivation, which are widely available in garden stores.
The coffee tree has a tendency to grow upwards, so if you wish to restrict its height, remember to prune the top so the tree can extend its branches sideways. After 3-4 years, it will be ready to bloom. To turn these flowers into fruits, however, you would need to ensure pollination. In the wild, this is done by insects. However, indoors, you might need to assist. Use a small brush and touch it to the flower’s chalice. Make sure to spread the pollen across all the buds and then patiently wait for nature to take over.
