Coffea arabica nana

Germination

Sow indoors. Seeds may be soaked overnight prior to sowing but do not prolong soaking as seeds may rot. Surface sow onto moist, well-drained seed compost. Cover with 5-10mm soil. Ideal temp. 27-29°C. Prone to damping off. Germination takes 6-7 weeks. After germination reduce temp. to 24-27°C. Treat as a house plant.

Growing

Grow under glass, in a greenhouse or bright windowsill. Keep out of direct sunlight. Prefers a moist soil with good drainage, a soil mix with plenty of fertiliser and added vermiculite is ideal. Ideal growing temp. 16-24°C.

Cultivation

The green fruits will change to red and then to almost black as they ripen, this process takes several months. Inside each ripened fruit are 2 beans or seeds that when properly roasted can be ground and made into coffee. Prune plant in spring to keep it bushy, cut stem at a 45° angle 5mm above a leaf axil. Repot in spring.