Plants are one of the main sources of food for man and living beings, through them fruits are obtained that are processed and transformed into ideal products for consumption, such is the case of coffee, a drink present in everyday life of the man. In the following article we will learn about the main characteristics of the coffee plant, a type of plant species with a beautiful structure and a fruit that is highly sought after and consumed by all of humanity.
coffee plant
Plants are part of the development of society, they have been used in various environments for special decorations, allowing man to have a special bond with nature anywhere, in addition to being responsible for being present on the five continents in different genera, species and types that allow their adaptation to the diverse climatic conditions that make up the planet earth; highlighting the fact that they are responsible for carrying out the essential biochemical processes for the maintenance of life.
In the development of this article we will learn a little more about the coffee plant, it is a type of plant that belongs to the Rubiaceae family of the plantae kingdom. Known by the names of Cafetos and Coffea, being a genus that has several taxonomies and are native to the Asian continent and subtropical Africa, spreading throughout the world due to the expansion of the colonies, becoming very popular.
It is a type of bush that belongs to the evergreen, it is cultivated intensively due to its seeds that are ground and roasted until obtaining coffee that after being treated by various processes is used as a stimulating drink that has become very popular all over the world. the world, to the point of being part of cultures, traditions and routine habits of people, therefore, at present, coffee is a relevant factor from the social and even economic sphere since for some regions it represents a source of income relevant allowing it to be part of the global market.
Features
The name coffee originates from the Italian caffé which comes from the Ethiopian region that was previously known as Kaffa or Caffa, where the monks who inhabited that area drank infusions from the Coffea plant to stay alert and awake. It is a type of bush that can grow with a straight trunk that reaches up to 10 meters in height and there are even species of 15 meters; In the case of being cultivated, it only maintains a height of up to 4,5 meters.
Its structure is slender with elegant dark green or deep brown stems and branches. Its leaves have an elliptical shape with an intense greenish color. They come to flower between the third and fourth year after being planted, producing fragrant flowers, white and axillary. The main attraction of this type of silver is its fruit, which is shaped like a drupe (fleshy and fibrous) that can appear fifteen weeks after obtaining the first flowering, beginning to develop at the twelfth week and the solid matter after several months. , the energy of this plant to form this fruit is produced from photosynthesis.
There is a variety of species of coffee plants, the best known being the Coffea Arabica, considered the oldest in agricultural terms and it is native to Ethiopia or Yemen, it is capable of self-fertilizing and reproducing by itself. Other known species is the Coffea Robusta, originally from West Africa, it is currently found on that continent but also in Brazil, it is very popular in Latin American regions and is the most widespread worldwide.
Care
The coffee plant is widely seen in the wild in forests and large vegetable expanses, having great beauty for its elegant structure and its colorful fruit, due to this it is sought after for agricultural cultivation and seen in gardens, highlighting the fact that it is a plant demanding care, mainly because they need to be located at high latitudes, so they seek to recreate the natural environment in which they reproduce regularly.
The beauty of the coffee plant is highlighted by its thin and prolific stems, in addition to having very striking leaves of intense green color, these characteristics offer the plant a natural shine that is very seen in summer times, also in its Blooming season offers fragrant white flowers shaped like stars. Next we will highlight the basic care for the coffee plant:
Light and Heat
Light is considered a fundamental element for all living organisms on planet earth, it intervenes in endless processes that allow the development of life as it is known today. In this case, its role in plants stands out, where it intervenes in important biochemical processes such as photosynthesis, responsible for providing oxygen to the entire planet earth, vital for the maintenance of life in all living beings.
The coffee plant needs specific care related to light and heat, because it will give it health and proper development for the plant. At this point it is ideal to have an appropriate location for the plant that is bright enough but does not impact the coffee plant directly, as it can burn or dehydrate it. Another condition to consider is to avoid areas with strong drafts, as they can break the plant or inhibit it.
Temperature is the symbol of comfort for plants, it allows the adaptation of the same to the place where it is located and the lush and healthy growth. In this case, the ideal is to maintain a relatively high temperature between 24 to 29 degrees Celsius, it should be noted that it is a cold plant so it is very sensitive to low temperatures, it is recommended never to expose it to less than 15 degrees Celsius.
Substrates
The substrates correspond to the soil or solid surface where all the plants that are distributed on planet earth are responsible for growing. The soil is the terrestrial surface that is composed of a variety of components that allow the development of plant species, it is considered as the container of plants that offers support for their development, it is also where the roots that are responsible for transport the nutrients and minerals necessary for its effective growth.
The coffee plant needs a large supply of nutrients and minerals for vigorous and prominent growth, so it is necessary to use substrates rich in elemental components, a relevant aspect in the development of crops and maintenance of the species in gardens. It is recommended to apply a balanced mixture between garden peat, sand and organic substrate; Acting as a component rich in minerals for the effective development of the plant, guano compost (bird droppings) is also usually added as a nutritional substance.
Fertilizer
Together with the substrates, organic and inorganic substances must be considered that allow the strengthening of the plant, in this case the fertilizer stands out as a component that is responsible for providing the necessary nutrients to be able to replenish the absence of the same in the soil, in addition that are easily assimilated by plant species. The essence of a fertilizer is to improve the quality of the product obtained, increase the nutritional value of the soil and stimulate the growth of the plant species.
The coffee plant is a type of species that cannot be neglected and continuous care is necessary, highlighting the fact that it has a high demand for nutrients to be able to grow correctly, reducing the amount of minerals in the soil in which it is found. cultivated, so it is recommended to apply fertilizers that strengthen the substrates, whether in large areas or in small gardens.
Allowing to maintain a vigorous color in the leaves of the plants, it is recommended that it be applied every fifteen days in the times of greatest flowering, which are spring and summer. In addition, not any type of fertilizer can be applied, but rather those rich in substances that can be assimilated by its roots that allow the acceleration of plant growth. The application of manure mixed with agricultural waste such as guano or fodder is recommended, they are well known for being a rich source of vitamins and amino acids, ideal for plant species.
Transplant
The transplant of a plant is known as the basic action of extracting it from the soil in which it is planted and is growing and then being transferred to a different place, it is a practice carried out to offer comfort to the plant and continue with its development. superior to the place where it was found, it can be carried out in large extensions of land and in pots that are located in orchards or gardens.
The coffee plant has unique characteristics, it is a very active species that needs extreme care, so the transplant of this plant must be carried out annually (once a year) preferably in spring times, it consists of the flowering season and nutritional activity, in this way the necessary nutrients are renewed in the soil.
If it is in a pot, it is recommended that it be moved to a larger one, allowing the plant's radial system to spread more widely and allowing the plant to breathe easily. Unlike other plants, the coffee plant, being such a dynamic species, can also become stressed if the space in which it is found is not large enough for it, causing it to weaken or inhibit itself, resulting in little flowering and a decrease in its yields. fruits.
Irrigation and Humidity
Irrigation consists of the technique of applying water to plantations of plant species in different crop conditions, thus covering the water needs of plants in a controlled and effective way, avoiding liquid accumulation or root rot. It is an essential type of practice in gardening, because it collaborates with plant life and allows its natural development in any environment. It also allows conserving the ideal humidity in the substrate for all plant species.
The coffee plant has tropical origins, so its demand for the liquid is quite high. The application of water on the plant must be without lime, being applied regularly and increasing in spring and summer months, they have the highest temperature during the year, causing the substrate to dry out and lose moisture, the ideal is to reduce this fact and keep it as moist as possible. In winter time it should be watered preferably once a week.
Environmental humidity is a factor to consider, since it allows the coffee plant to be kept as hydrated as possible. According to some research, it is recommended to keep the substrate 50% humid to preserve the ideal conditions for it. Leaves can be sprayed every two or three days. In this way, an ideal environment is preserved to store the necessary humidity.
Coffee plants are normally kept in areas that control environmental conditions to maintain the ideal temperature. In winter times, they are cold months and low temperatures, being inside homes and keeping the heating on can cause the substrate to dry out and lose moisture, weakening the plant and withering, this can be reduced by moistening the leaves of the plant during this time.
The most advisable thing is to create an atmosphere that conserves as much humidity as possible, that maintains the simple and necessary conditions for it, place a saucer in the pot together with gardening stones and water, in this way the roots are kept away but without having to give up moisture.
Multiplication and Reproduction
The multiplication of plants consists of the ways that plant species have to reproduce, taking into account the anatomical conditions of each one, they are carried out by two main methods, the first is sexual where by action of the air or pollination of other species the female cells of one plant and the male cells of another come into contact. While the second is the asexual where the species has both reproductive organs and allow their multiplication with the growth of shoots or cuttings that are cut and planted in a separate section.
The coffee plant is made up of several species where some reproduce sexually and others asexually. In the first case, seeds that are sown at a depth of thirteen millimeters will be obtained, it is recommended to keep them at 30ºC in semi-shade and applying a special compost for seeds (it is always moist) and with little aeration until the seeds germinate, when growing it is preferable to transplant the plant to an area that receives sunlight but at a lower controlled temperature and humidity.
In the second case, asexual reproduction will allow the sprouting of cuttings (branches or new sections of the plant) that can be cut once they are firm with 10 to 15 centimeters long and with leaves at the end. Insert these cuttings in the peat compost with sand, with a temperature of 18ºC and with sufficient humidity. After a few weeks they will take root, after having 10 centimeters of root diameter they must be transplanted to another pot.
Plagues and diseases
Pests are a set of bacteria and microorganisms that are circulating in the environment and adhere to plant species, feeding on them until they deteriorate, weaken and cause death. Currently there is a continuous struggle to prevent plant pests and diseases, mainly those that affect crops and can spread rapidly throughout the crop.
Continuous contact with natural elements such as rain, wind and drought can cause the stimulation of pests naturally. Despite this, the wild species of the coffee plant do not have pests regularly, attributing this to the climatic conditions in which they usually form. In addition, it is highlighted that having crops of the same requires rigorous care, since it increases the possibility of pest attacks and is even greater when found in home gardens. Among them the following stand out:
Red spider
It is a tiny mite that can reach 0,5 millimeters in size in its adult stage, despite its small size it can be easily recognized by weaving webs between the affected plants, but it should be noted that it is not a spider despite their similar behavior. They feed on plants found in dry or high-temperature environments. Considering a serious pest that attacks vegetables and ornamental species, they are regularly seen in home gardens. From an agricultural point of view, they are very dangerous because they feed on the cellular contents of plant species, withering the plant to the point of death.
Cochineal
It is considered a parasitic insect that adheres to plants acting as a host that lives on the underside of plant leaves. Its feeding begins by sticking its beak in the leaves, stems and fruits, absorbing the sap that circulates in it; highlighted the fact that the sap is responsible for transporting all the necessary nutrients in the plant. Little by little they deteriorate it, creating spots in the affected areas until it completely withers.
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