Page 24 - APPD_Something's_Brewing_May_June'24(5Jun24)

Sustainability

Mainly, sunlight is required for Cafeology
Growing coffee
photosynthesis and photosynthesis is
one requirement for the coffee trees to Roberto’s trees last for
grow and produce fruit. This explains approximately 30 years
why no shade plantations produce after their first prune, if
higher yields but no shade harms the the tree is sufficiently
trees because there is such a thing as looked after. Once a tree
too much sun. Coffee trees grown in has reached the end of its
the shade might produce lower yields life, it is pruned at the
but the coffee tastes nicer and the base (killed) and then
trees live longer lives
seeds are planted where
When you plant a coffee tree it will the old tree was. Sufficient
take 3-4 years before the tree produces shade is one part of the
fruit, and reaches peak maturity on puzzle that helps
year 5. Then every 7-8 years (or sooner Roberto’s trees live long
if the tree looks tired) they are pruned lives, require less pruning,
low down. Pruning is important and produce higher-
because when a coffee tree flowers, quality coffee.
that flower will only bloom once and
therefore only produce fruit once. Fertile soil is critical in all

When picked clean of fruit, a branch will agriculture and coffee is
never grow cherries again. So pruning no different. Keeping soil
is crucial to allow trees more room to optimally fertile is difficult
produce new branches (else you would and has major
have tall trees, empty of fruit except for consequences if there are
where it is too high to pick!) too many or too few
nutrients in your soil. A
large part of what makes
the soil fertile is available
Nitrogen (i.e. Nitrogen in
specific molecules that are
available for plants to
absorb and use) because
Nitrogen is vital for life via
protein synthesis and
therefore plant growth.

Nutrient rich trees are
stronger and produce
better tasting coffee.
Inorganic fertiliser is used MAY/JUNE. 2024 | ISSUE 36
by most farmers
worldwide to make sure
Juvenile plants which are a rust their land is optimal for
resistant variety growth.

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