Hey gang, I just discovered that both my coffee plants (about 6 years old) have flowers! Not many, but they are there. Are cherries next? These plants have had a checkered past.... they almost died many times when they were babies because I forgot to water them. And one of them was so severely frostbitten that I thought it was dead. But they both came back and seem to be doing quite well all things considered. If I could only figure out what the "rust" is on some of the leaves. Paul Paul Goelz Rochester Hills, MI paul at pgoelz dot comhttp://www.pgoelz.com |
Intelligentsia told us to keep our plant indoors with tons of light and humidity but to water it only once a week--and sparingly at that. Wonder if that'll make it flower eventually. If it took yours 6 yrs for flowers (it takes grapevines 3 yrs to bear fruit) maybe cherries will be next! On Jul 2, 2006, at 7:37 AM, Paul Goelz wrote: <Snip> Sandy Andina www.sandyandina.com |
Sandy thats great, I had two going good but the brown leaf dasease got them so I thought I'd stump them but I cut them to close to the grown and although the stem and roots seemed to be alive it never did shoot up again. I hope you get some coffee cheeries RK |
At 12:51 PM 7/2/2006, you wrote: <Snip> Yeah, assuming it is one cherry per flower, I may have enough for about 1/8 of a cup ;) I did see a little bee busily pollinating though. Or at least eating..... I guess unless the other plant is the opposite sex, there won't be much arabica pollen available? Paul Paul Goelz Rochester Hills, MI paul at pgoelz dot comhttp://www.pgoelz.com |
According to Tom, "Robusta coffee is the trade name for Coffea canephora, a different species of coffee from the genus Coffea and cousin to the higher-grown Coffea arabica L. that is the basis for specialty coffee" (http://www.sweetmarias.com/coffee.robusta.html). I'm not much of a botanist (or biologist in general). Does what Tom says mean that you don't have to worry about your little arabica plant being pollenated by a stray robusta plant? Brian On 7/2/06, Paul Goelz wrote: <Snip> |
--- Brian Kamnetz wrote: <Snip> The answer to that question is ... maybe. Some species of closely related plants can hybridize and reproduce, although I don't know if that is the case with Coffea arabica x C. canephora. The inability to interbreed defines species of animals, but that rule doesn't necessarily apply to plants. Andy, also not a botanist, but sometime I play one on the Homeroast List Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com |
<Snip> The "rust" may be a viral disease called ... rust. At least I think it's a virus. If so, you should find out and fix it ASAP. That will probably involve pinching off the affected leaves. But find out from a more knowledgeable source than I am before you do anything drastic. Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com |
my coffeeplants do have the rust as well, I saw somewhere that it is a mineral defficiency, maybe calcium or nitrogen. And I think I read somewher= e that arabica coffee is self pollinating, but am not sure. Will try to find the sources and repost. Regards, Juan M. Jácome 2006/7/2, Andy Thomas : <Snip> |
There seem to be many definitions of sprecies:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpeciesOn 7/2/06, Andy Thomas wrote: <Snip> -- "There is nothing new under the sun but there are lots of old things we don't know." -- Ambrose Bierce |
At 07:37 PM 7/2/2006, you wrote: <Snip> Thanks Juan (and others), The browning of the leaves seems to be related to leaving the plants outside when the outside temps dropped below maybe 45 degrees. But it has been warm for a long time now and the browning seems to be somewhat worse than it was when I inadvertently left them out in the early spring. I have now seen photos of "rust" and it looks different.... more like spots that spread. In my case, the browning seems to start in an area of a leaf and very slowly worsen and spread, but it is irregular in shape, not circular or spotted. I think I'll look for some fungicide and apply it and see what happens..... anyone see any problem with applying a topical fungicide? As for cross pollinating with robusta..... I think it is pretty certain that my two plants are the only ones around that are flowering..... for miles. Paul Paul Goelz Rochester Hills, MI paul at pgoelz dot comhttp://www.pgoelz.com |
Unless I plant a couple of Disgusta beans, not very likely! On Jul 2, 2006, at 6:45 PM, Brian Kamnetz wrote: <Snip> Sandy Andina www.sandyandina.com |
Actually rust is a fungal disease. Check out this site for more information:http://www.apsnet.org/online/feature/biodiver/coferust.htmlSteve On 7/2/06, Andy Thomas wrote: <Snip> |
At 11:22 AM 7/3/2006, you wrote: <Snip> Thanks, been there already ;) Trouble is that a lot of sites like that one talk all about the fungus but not about how to treat it. And I am getting the impression that there are a couple issues involved with treating it. Like the fact that some (most?) fungicides are topical / preventive and will not treat an existing infection. I'm off to the garden shop to see what I can find..... Paul Paul Goelz Rochester Hills, MI USA paulhttp://www.pgoelz.com |
check these out:http://www.coffeeresearch.org/agriculture/mineral.htmhttp://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/higard/msg0420032021256.html?1 Cheers, Juan M. Jácome 2006/7/3, Steven Sobel : <Snip> |
At 02:49 PM 7/3/2006, you wrote: <Snip> earch.org/agriculture/mineral.htm <Snip> Wow, good stuff! Now all I have to do is figure out if it really is a deficiency or a fungus. The interesting bit is that it seems to be very closely linked to leaving the plant exposed to colder temperatures and dew.... not quite frost temperatures but close. Once I bring them indoors, they seem to be fine for the duration of the winter. When I put them out on the deck in the spring, it can happen again if it is too cold. If it was a mineral deficiency I would expect it to show up throughout the winter? As for pollinating, the flowers are withered and shriveled today. They were perfect yesterday. I take that to mean that they served their purpose. ???? There was a little bee busily messing with them. Paul Paul Goelz Rochester Hills, MI USA paulhttp://www.pgoelz.com |
Thanks for the correction. --- Steven Sobel wrote: <Snip>http://www.apsnet.org/online/feature/biodiver/coferust.html<Snip> <Snip> Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com |
Paul, I wish you luck. My understanding of rust is that it can be prevented only, that once you see the damage it is too late for the leaf. From what I remember, any infected leaves should be removed and destroyed. Antifungal sprays will help to prevent further infection. Another place you can check for information is the Department of Agriculture, State of Michigan. I know that the U of Michigan doesn't have a department of Agriculture but you could check with your county to see if they have a "county agent" who might have some insight. Finally, you could check with some "garden centers" to see if they have a master Gardener who might be able to help you. It would help to either bring an infected leaf or some pictures of the tree. Good luck. Steve On 7/3/06, Paul Goelz wrote: <Snip> |
I want to say copper salts work well for getting rid of rusts. Ill have to dig out the stuff I use on my pepper plants and check but im pretty sure it's like a copper or copper soap of a type. Also, keep in mind that if you have rust, there's a good chance you might have other fungii or ailments on the plants as well. From what I remember one of the main contributing factors to these is excessive water. It seems that every time we'd have a nice stretch of 2 or 3 days of rain with no sun and the plants would sit there soggy, id see hints of problems. In other words, don't just treat the symptoms, you need to find out why this came about and correct that situation as well or you will just end up spending a ton of $$$ on crap to throw on your plant and end up very disappointed when the thing ends up dying anyways. Good luck and if I dont post by tomorrow noon what that stuff was named that I used, kick me in the arse and remind me. Aaron |
At 09:18 PM 7/5/2006, you wrote: <Snip> Thanks. I went to the store yesterday and got some Ortho anti fungal stuff.... they say it "used to be called" Daconil. Leaves a white powdery residure on the leaves when it dries. I trimmed the really bad leaves off and it looks pretty good now. We'll see what happens from now forward. If I don't answer you right away it is because I will be away from Email for the next week. Going camping and if you can believe it, I'm taking the coffee plants with me! They decorate the campsite and I can keep an eye on them too. Hey, some people take their dogs..... Paul Paul Goelz Rochester Hills, MI USA paulhttp://www.pgoelz.com |
I'm sure the plant would like to see Lake Michigan. The cool lake breeze would probably benefit it. Steve On 7/5/06, Paul Goelz wrote: <Snip> |