Types of Coffee Beans:growing coffee beansThe origin of most types of coffee beans throughout the world comes from Coffea robusta and Coffea arabica. The first types of coffee beans to be grown are thought to be Coffea arabica. This bean species was cultivated in Arabia for more than a thousand years. In the 17th century, legend has it that spies were paid in coffee beans. The US might never have acquired a taste for coffee if colonists rebelling against Britain's tea tax had not dumped a load into Boston's harbor at the infamous Boston Tea Party. There are sixty known and counting types of coffee beans. The most prominent are: Coffea Arabica, Coffea Robusta, Coffea Liberica and Coffea Excelsa. When Planted when growing coffee beans,one type of coffee plant that can be grown as a houseplant throughout the year is Coffea arabica. It looks like a miniature tree with thin, dark green, glossy leaves. The plant may reach heights up to six feet high. For those gardeners who would rather grow a smaller version, the compact sized, arabica nana is available. Place the arabica plant in a well-lit area that will benefit from the morning sun. Filter the sunlight in the early afternoon. Keep the plant at a minimum temperature of 65 degrees F to allow the fruit, which holds the coffee beans to develop. Being a native tropical plant, it adores the sun.
How long it takes each type to grow The arabica will probably be nearly a foot tall when you purchase the plant. It will typically grow a foot per year until it reaches maturity of about 6 foot tall. The coffee plants do not normally begin producing fruit until they have grown for an average of three years. The red, round berry is similar to a very small cherry tomato. Inside the berry is where the coffee bean seeds are found. Depending on the coffee plant type, the berries take from six months to a year to ripen.
Coffea robusta is a hardier species, which grows more quickly and is well adapted to all growing conditions. Robusta beans are smaller sized than the arabica and many growers feel the arabica produces the superior bean. Pest and Disease Spider mites, aphids, and fungus are some of the pests and diseases that could bug your houseplants. Prevention Most disease and pest problems arrive with newly bought plants. Prevent these difficulties from taking place by giving the plants a thorough examination before purchasing. Signs to look out for before you buy the coffee bean plants: * Leaves with holes, brown spots, or chewed edges. * Insects on the plant. * Powdery, white mildew on the foliage is a sign of fungus. * Fuzzy gray mold is another sign of fungus. Soil for growing coffee beans All types of coffee beans can grow in widely different soils given quality fertilizer and well-drained soil. Use a peat moss based potting mix. Care for coffee beans During the summertime, mist the arabica with warm water in between regular watering twice weekly to keep the plant from drying out. Keep soil barely moist in winter and fall, thoroughly moist in summer and spring. Feed coffee plants every other week with a liquid plant food at half strength during the growing period. Repot in spring if necessary.
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