Black spots on coffee tree leaves. Why do the leaves of a houseplant Arabica plant turn yellow, turn black and dry?
Now on the windowsills of the most ordinary apartments you can find quite exotic plants. Such crops are not very rare now, but trying to grow them on your own is a very interesting and exciting activity. The most common exotic indoor plants include laurel, lemon Tree and other types of citrus fruits. Also, many of our fellow citizens are interested in growing coffee trees. And it can be very disappointing when a plant grown with such difficulty begins to wither. Let's talk on this page "Popular about health" about what diseases are possible coffee tree at home, and find out how to treat them.
How to treat coffee tree diseases?
Basically, diseases of coffee trees at home most often arise from improper care. Most often, owners of coffee trees are faced with the problem of yellowing leaves on their pet. Sometimes this phenomenon indicates poor health of the plant’s root system. It may begin to rot due to excessive watering or, conversely, dry out due to lack of moisture. In any situation, you must try to normalize watering.
So, in order for the plant to be healthy, it needs to be watered when the soil in the pot dries three centimeters. Watering should be quite abundant. You need to pour so much water into the flower at a time so that the ground is wet to the very bottom. Next, watering should be done again only when necessary - after the same drying of the soil by three centimeters. In this case, you should use exclusively soft, settled water for irrigation. To prevent yellowing of the leaves, it is worth periodically spraying the tree.
Yellowing of the leaves of the coffee tree may occur due to a deficiency sunlight. This plant is best grown on a southern windowsill, but it should be shaded. Also a good option would be window sills located on the southwest or southeast side. In the cold season, it would not be superfluous to organize illumination of the plant using fluorescent lamp.
Sometimes the leaves of a coffee tree turn very yellow after replanting if it was done incorrectly. Thus, flower growers strongly do not recommend carrying out this procedure with a complete replacement of the soil. If the plant is more than two or three years old, you just need to transfer it into the pot a little bigger size or replace the top layer of soil. If an error has already occurred during transplantation, you should organize a homemade greenhouse for the coffee tree. Take a fairly large bag and cover the plant with it so that the plastic does not touch the leaves. At the same time, reduce watering to a minimum, but spray frequently - once a day. A couple of drops of epin per glass of water or four drops of cycron per liter of water should be added to the spraying liquid. Also water with this cycron solution once a week. After the plant begins to produce new foliage and the old one stops turning yellow, it can be considered recovered.
Sometimes the coffee tree becomes so sick that its leaves become dry and blackened. This situation is possible when using hard water for irrigation. At the same time, the soil begins to accumulate salt, which negatively affects the health of the root system. In such a situation, it is better to change upper layer soil in the pot to a new one and carry out further moistening only using soft boiled water.
Blackening of the leaves of a coffee tree can also be observed when it is exposed to several unfavorable factors, including overwatering or drying out of the soil, or lack of light (especially in cold weather). Brown spots on the foliage of a plant appear when the roots are overheated (when the plant stands in bright sun in the summer). In such a situation, you should organize shading for him and abundant watering.
Old leaves on a coffee tree may well turn black and fall off, which can be considered as normal.
The coffee tree rarely gets sick. But sometimes it can suffer from fungal and bacterial attacks.
For example, if a lot of black spots appear on the leaves, after which they begin to crumble, the plant may have been affected fungal disease. Fungi are also to blame if there is a rusty coating on the foliage. It is quite difficult to cope with such diseases, but with a quick reaction the plant can be saved. To treat it, you need to use special antifungal agents from the nearest flower shop; Bordeaux mixture, and copper sulfate. They are used for spraying.
If any damage is detected on the plant trunk, it is necessary to immediately treat them with a solution copper sulfate. After all, such a violation of integrity is entrance gate for pathogens.
If the plant suffers from overwatering, its roots may be affected by root rot. In such a situation, the tree should be replanted in new ground, cutting off damaged areas of roots and treating them with potassium permanganate. Afterwards, you need to organize a greenhouse for the plant - as mentioned above.
With proper care, the coffee tree rarely gets sick and pleases its owners with an attractive appearance.
For me, as a person who is interested in growing indoor plants, the most important thing in choosing the next specimen to add to my collection is its exoticism. Of course, the plant itself should be beautiful, but not only that. It must also arouse interest among others, because it is always nice to be proud of your pet. And if such a plant also bears fruit, then it’s just a real hit! And such a plant in my collection is the coffee tree.
We all know that coffee grows in hot countries, and its main varieties have familiar names: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica and Excelsa. But few people have had the opportunity to see what coffee looks like in nature, only if they go on a tour of a coffee plantation. Well, wouldn’t it be great to have a whole coffee plantation on your windowsill? With these thoughts, I went to the nearest flower shop.
At room conditions It is absolutely possible to collect up to one kilogram of coffee, but only from mature trees over six years old.
I purchased the Arabica coffee tree, or rather its sprouts, in large quantities at a chain garden store. About 15-20 shoots 7-10 centimeters high grew in the pot. Bad, weak and damaged-looking sprouts were immediately thrown out, and good ones were planted in pots of two or three. The bushes grew quite quickly and after two or three years they turned into beautiful trees which began to bear fruit.
Coffee berries made me happy for several months. They were green at first and then turned red. They ripened for about 6-8 months, and about five grains were collected from the first harvest. In fact, under room conditions, it is absolutely possible to collect up to one kilogram of coffee, but only from mature trees over six years old.
Growing a coffee tree at home
Priming
The soil for the coffee tree should be very light, air- and water-permeable. In principle, soil sold for tropical plants may be suitable; it will have these characteristics. If you prepare the soil yourself, then you can use a mixture of peat and humus in a 50/50 ratio as a basis. You can also put several pieces in the pot charcoal, which will relieve soil acidification. Moreover, it is necessary to choose a tall pot for planting, since root system goes down.
Fertilizer
Coffee tree growing all year round, therefore requires regular feeding, approximately every ten days. Fertilize with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and microelements. As a nitrogen fertilizer, you can use peat squeeze, vermicompost, which can be bought in garden stores. A superphosphate solution can be used as phosphorus fertilizer. And from the ash you can get a good potash supplement.
Crown formation
Small coffee seedlings only grow upwards. As it grows, skeletal branches begin to grow, which are closely connected to the trunk. Accordingly, in order for the crown to develop evenly, the tree must be regularly rotated around its axis so that the plant develops evenly.
Coffee tree care
Despite the fact that coffee is a resident of the subtropics, it is not recommended to place the pot in direct sunlight, since in nature coffee grows in partial shade from large trees. The most best windows in the apartment: eastern or western. Since coffee is a tropical plant, it is very important temperature regime, especially in winter. The room temperature should not fall below 15 °C. At low temperatures, a black border will appear on the leaves, then the leaf turns black and falls off.
Also in winter, I advise you to place a board or foam under the pot so that the roots of the plant do not freeze. And finally, coffee absolutely does not tolerate drafts. In winter, you should be especially careful when ventilating rooms. If cold air hits the plant, the coffee will immediately freeze.
If the tips of the leaves dry out on the coffee, this is the first sign of dry air. Solution to the problem: you need to either increase the humidity in the room - place a humidifier or a container of water under the radiator. You can also regularly spray the bush with a spray bottle. It is very useful to rinse the foliage at least once a month with warm water in the shower, so that the water does not flood the pot. With this regular care the leaves will always be shiny and beautiful.
In addition, regular spraying of coffee will protect against spider mite, the most important pest that can appear at home. The first signal of its appearance are light spots on the leaves - puncture sites, and, of course, small cobwebs.
If the tips of the leaves dry out on the coffee, this is the first sign of dry air.
You should also be careful when watering. You cannot overwater the plant; the leaves will become faded in color and begin to fall off. And don't overdry it. Considering that the leaf surface of a coffee tree is large, moisture evaporates very quickly. As soon as the earthen ball dries out, the leaves will instantly fall off. Therefore, it is extremely important to water the plant with a small amount of water almost every day so that the soil always remains moist, but at the same time the water does not stagnate in the tray of the pot. Water should be poured room temperature, settled, soft and without lime.
Coffee tree reanimation experience
My plants survived twice " clinical death" The first case occurred when the plant was frozen by opening a window in winter at a temperature of -25 °C. All that was left of the coffee was the stem, and the leaves immediately fell off. The second case is that in my absence the plant was watered irregularly, and it dried out, dropping its leaves again. The recipe for reviving such almost dead plants was regular spraying with reduced watering. After a few months the plants turned green again.
Thus, providing the plant comfortable conditions, you can admire not only the dark green foliage, but also harvest real coffee with enviable regularity! By the way, do you want to know what I did with my first harvest? Of course, I immediately distributed it into pots of soil and now I’m waiting for a new harvest. Soon I will have my own little coffee plantation on the windowsill that will be the talk of the entire office and, hopefully, beyond.
Many lovers complain that the leaves turn brown. This is typical for indoors at low air humidity in the autumn-winter period. However, this is not a disease. And if the plant is placed in a wide, shallow pan of water, a more favorable microclimate will be created.
Sunburn on the leaves from the bright sun and lack of moisture in the air.
Watering
One of the most important aspects of coffee tree care is watering. If the roots are exposed to standing water, the leaves turn brown and fall off. All water should drain from the roots after watering.
Watering. Regular, abundant in summer. The water should be soft, settled, without lime, warm (a few degrees above room temperature). It is necessary to maintain weak soil acidity. To do this, once a month add 2-3 drops of acetic acid or several crystals of citric acid to the settled water.
Regular spraying will not harm it. Once a week (except for the flowering period), the tree can be given a warm shower.
With excessive watering, root rot often occurs; crusty growths and corking spots appear on the leaves of many plants (it can even cork the entire surface of the leaf). In addition to excess water during watering, the cause of the appearance of such spots can be a sharp change in temperature, a sharp fluctuation in moisture in the substrate (if the soil becomes very dry and you immediately water it abundantly), or lack of light. With the correction of errors in care, the formation of cork spots on the leaves stops. If most probable cause The appearance of spots on coffee leaves is caused by excessive watering (after all, coffee requires moderate watering in winter), water the substrate once or twice with a suspension of foundationazole (1-2 g per liter of water) - this will help the plant that finds itself in unfavorable conditions.
To restore the plant’s immunity, it is not forbidden to carry out a cycle of spraying the leaves of the coffee tree warm water with the addition of "Epin" according to the instructions on the package.
Feeding
In spring and summer, feed regularly (once every 7-10 days), alternating a water infusion of mullein (1:10) with full complex mineral fertilizers. In the spring you can increase the dose of nitrogen fertilizers, during fruit ripening - phosphorus, in the fall - potassium.
The main pests are scale insects, spider mites, and diseases include sooty fungus. If in winter the temperature in the room where the coffee tree is installed is between 10 - 12 C, then a black border will first appear on the leaves, and why the whole plant will begin to die.
- If the soil is not too acidic, the leaves may become discolored.
- The tips of the leaves dry out when there is a lack of moisture in the air.
- The leaves turn yellow and brown spots of dead tissue appear on them in case of sunburn.
- If overwatered, the leaves rot and fall off.
- When watered with hard water, the tips of the leaves curl slightly and brown spots appear on them. To prevent this from happening, soften the water using special tablets, or keep a bag of peat in 3 liters of water.
Uneven ripening of coffee fruits, usually in room conditions
How to make coffee bear fruit?
Plants bear fruit only with year-round care, which includes weeding and regular treatment of trees with fungicides and insecticides to protect them from pests and diseases, such as bean borer or coffee rust. Fruit young plant starts in at least two years.
The collected coffee fruits need to be dried a little and the pulp removed; the collected seeds can be dried and prepared for coffee.
Nowadays it is quite popular to grow various exotic plants in an apartment.
Classic flowerpots with bright blooms are, of course, great, but you want something to grow at home, at the sight of which your guests will gasp and ask how you did it.
Why not get some fragrant evergreen? No, it's not about home Christmas tree, but about the coffee tree.
Yes, maybe at home this plant will not bring too much fruit. bountiful harvests, but it’s worth growing it if only because of the unusualness, beauty and incomparable smell of the flowers.
Let's start growing
First of all, it’s worth saying that it’s impossible to grow a coffee tree from store-bought seeds, since Arabica seeds grow very quickly. lose the ability to germinate.
It is best to take ripe fruits with two seeds for cultivation. If they are sown immediately after ripening, the appearance of an evergreen plant in the future will appear with a 99% probability.
- The landing process is as follows:
- Ripe coffee seeds are completely freed from pulp and washed with potassium permanganate for complete cleaning. Make a weak solution of potassium permanganate and put the seeds there. Those that have surfaced are unsuitable for landing;
- 12-14 days before planting you need to start preparing the soil. Should steam the turf soil, add sand and peat there, the proportion should be 1:2:2;
- Arabica beans should be planted in a pot completely filled with soil. We make small holes in the substrate and place the seeds with the flat side down. The pot required is quite large; do not forget that Arabica is like a tree. We place the seeds at a distance of about 3 cm from each other, to a depth of no more than 1 cm;
- After planting, lightly water the soil slightly pink potassium permanganate solution and cover with cling film/glass;
- Now you need to place the pot in a warm place and wait for the sprouts to appear. They will sprout in about a month, or even more;
- From time to time the soil must be ventilated by removing the film for 15-20 minutes. When sprouts begin to appear, the ventilation time should be increased, and then the film or glass should be removed altogether;
- If two or three leaves have already formed on the seedlings, then it is time to transplant them into small separate pots. The pots should be small, about 6-7 cm in diameter. Until the plant takes root, it must be kept in a shaded but warm place. And when it gets stronger, expose it to the sun, while ensuring good ventilation;
The process of lignification of Arabica coffee occurs in a very unusual way. First, brownish spots form on the trunk, which gradually increase in size. These spots begin to merge with each other. When the entire stem of the plant is covered brown, the color will begin to become lighter.
This is how the crown formation begins. Tree does not require special pruning, but you can at will slightly trim the crown so that it is completely round, this will make the tree look much more beautiful.
Fruiting of a coffee tree grown at home begins around the 4th year of cultivation. Every year the harvest will become a little more abundant.
One of the most important rules Arabica care - the absence of any neighbors in the form of other plants.
Lighting. The coffee tree loves light, but the rays must be diffused, as direct sun can cause leaf burns. Try not to turn the plant in different directions, as this, of course, will help make the crown more symmetrical, but with a 99% probability will deprive you of coffee fruits.
Watering. The coffee tree has rather wide leaves through which moisture quickly evaporates. For this reason, the plant must be watered quite often and abundantly. The water should be settled, its temperature slightly above room temperature.
Dry air is not fatal for an Arabica tree, but spraying the leaves will only benefit it. This is not necessary to do only when Arabica is in bloom.
Feeding. This the plant loves feeding, especially needs additional nutrients ah in the spring and summer. It will be enough to feed Arabica coffee once a week with mullein infusion or mineral fertilizers, which can be purchased at flower shop. It is best to alternate such feedings.
At the beginning of spring, the soil needs an additional portion of nitrogen; if during this period you notice the formation of fruits, then it is worth fertilizing it with phosphorus, a lot of which is contained in bone chips.
Transfer. Arabica is replanted in the spring, once every two years; if the tree develops more slowly, once every three years. Each next pot should be 3-4 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.
It should be quite deep, since the Arabica root grows longer. When replanting, the soil must be fertilized with humus, peat, and nitrogen.
Why do coffee tree leaves dry out?
Coffee is prone to various diseases. It is susceptible to attacks by scale insects, sooty fungus, and spider mites. If you notice that the leaves of the plant dry out I, this may indicate too high temperature indoor air.
Sometimes so-called coffee rust forms on the tree, the leaves become yellowish. Regular treatment with fungicides and insecticides will help protect the plant from pests.
Everyone should try growing coffee! At a minimum, to try at least a cup of aromatic drink made from our own grown Arabica beans.
Coffee trees, grown on plantations or at home, like all plants, are susceptible to diseases, and the habitat plays an important role here. If trees kept at home rarely get sick and mainly due to improper care, then epidemics occur on plantations that have an extremely negative impact on the harvest, causing its partial or complete destruction.
1. Types of coffee trees
2.Diseases of domestic coffee trees
2.1. Fungal diseases coffee
Brown spot
Rust
Sooty fungus (niello)
Root rot
2.2. Bacterial and viral infections
2.3. Diseases caused by improper care
3. Quarantine indoor coffee tree
4. Diseases of coffee trees grown on plantations
Coffee rust
Athracnose
Gray rot
Filament rot
Dark brown rot
Ojo de gayo (eye of the rooster)
5. Conditions required to receive good harvests coffee
To obtain the world-famous invigorating drink, seeds (grains) are used, obtained from the fruits of the Arabian and Congolese coffee trees - Arabica and Robusta. They are the only ones of interest to coffee producers. Two more types, Liberica and Excelsa, are also used in the food industry, but their share is only 2% of the total coffee produced in the world.
Arabian (Arabica) and Liberian (Liberica) coffee are most suitable for growing at home, as well as dwarf variety Arabica - Nana.
Diseases of domestic coffee trees
As mentioned, coffee grown at home rarely gets sick. But sometimes trees can still be affected by diseases caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses.
Fungal diseases of indoor coffee
Brown spot
The disease is almost untreatable. Signs of the disease are the appearance of brown spots on leaf blades and branches. Then the leaves begin to fall en masse. Damaged shoots and foliage must be removed, and the remaining parts of the plant must be treated with fungicide preparations containing copper: copper sulfate solution, Bordeaux mixture, copper oxychloride (according to the instructions). If the disease has gone too far, the plant cannot be helped.
Rust
Promotes the appearance of rust improper care, in particular soil waterlogging. The disease appears on the leaves, which become covered with rust-like spots. At the very beginning of the disease you can use folk remedies, for example, a mixture whose components are vegetable oil(1 tbsp), soda (1 tbsp), any dishwashing liquid (1 tsp), one aspirin tablet, water (4.5 l). Affected leaves must be removed, spraying is carried out once every 10-12 days. Rust fungi are combated using multifunctional chemicals(fungicides), including those containing sulfur and copper. Treatment is carried out with Coronet, Oxychom, Falcon, colloidal sulfur, copper oxychloride, Bordeaux mixture, etc. The disease can be stopped only by initial stage its development. If this moment is missed, the plant cannot be saved.
Sooty fungus (niello)
Sooty fungus most often affects young or weakened plants. The disease can develop under unfavorable living conditions: poor ventilation of the room, high humidity. The leaves of the coffee tree become covered with a coating that clogs the pores. The process of photosynthesis is disrupted, as a result of which the foliage changes color from green to brown. Sooty mushroom differs from other types of mushrooms in that it settles on sticky, sweetish secretions. small insects, such as aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, scale insects. Therefore, first of all, you need to get rid of pests by treating the plants with appropriate preparations, for example, Aktar, Karate, Actellik, Iskra-Bio, Fitoverm, Agravertin, etc. If insects are not widespread, spray with green soap, a water-oil mixture (2-3 times with a week break), infusions of citrus fruits, herbs (tansy, chamomile), hot pepper, wipe the leaves with pure alcohol or with the addition of soap (10 ml of alcohol and 20 g of soap per 1 liter of water).
main reason diseases - waterlogging of the soil, as a result of which the roots of the plant begin to rot, and the leaves turn yellow, wither and fall off. If the tree is removed from the ground and the roots are examined, if there is rot, they will be flaky or softened, almost black or dark brown in color. The affected parts of the roots must be cut back to healthy tissue, treated with potassium permanganate, and sprinkled on the cut areas. activated carbon or sulfur powder, then transplant the tree into new disinfected soil. If there are few roots left, the plant should be placed in a smaller pot than the one in which it was previously located. Withered leaves needs to be removed. After all the necessary procedures, the coffee tree is placed in a shaded place for 7-10 days and watering is carefully monitored. It is not recommended to moisten the soil for 2-3 days after transplanting. The plant should not be fertilized for 1.5 months.
Bacterial and viral infections
Sometimes coffee trees suffer from diseases caused by bacteria or viruses. With symptoms such as simultaneous yellowing of the tree trunk and leaves, a bacterial infection can most likely be diagnosed. If measures are not taken, the plant loses its leaves, taking on an unaesthetic appearance, and eventually dies.
Microorganisms penetrate through damage to the trunk and stems, so if wounds are found, they must be immediately cleaned and treated with Bordeaux mixture, solutions of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate. This is the main method of combating plant infection. Damaged shoots and leaves must be removed.
Viral infections can appear as small bumps on the tree trunk or ring-shaped spots on the leaves. As a rule, they do not pose a danger if good care plants cope with the problem on their own.
Diseases caused by improper care
Mostly, coffee trees get sick due to non-compliance with basic care rules.
Insufficient or excessive hydration
When plants' leaves turn yellow or brown, this may be caused by improper moisture. Due to an excess of moisture in the soil, the root system begins to rot, and due to insufficient watering, it begins to dry out, which negatively affects appearance plants. If the soil in the pot is too dry, you should initially water the tree generously, so that the water soaks the soil to the very bottom of the container. Subsequently, moistening is carried out when the soil in the pot dries 3 cm. In addition, the coffee is periodically sprayed with a spray bottle. It is useful to wash the tree once a week under warm shower. Water the plants with settled water (at least 24 hours) soft water room temperature. Hard water provokes the accumulation of salts in the soil, which negatively affects the development of coffee trees (bushes). You can soften it using wood ash (3 g per 1 liter of water) or using a filter. Peat also helps reduce hardness. It is poured into a fabric bag (at the rate of 10 g per 1 liter of water) and immersed in water for a day. Peat at the same time acidifies it, which is also beneficial for coffee. Other acidifiers: lemon juice (3 drops per 1 liter) or citric acid(2 grains per 1 liter of water) are used no more than 2 times a month.
Incorrect lighting
Often yellowing and dropping leaves are the result of a lack of sunlight. Therefore, windows facing southwest or southeast are best suited for growing a coffee tree (or bush). Southern window sills, like northern ones, are not the best option. The scorching summer sun can cause overheating of the root system, as well as scorching of the leaves, due to which they become covered with brown spots. Heat is especially harmful for young plants. On the south side they should organize shading. It is better to remove mature coffee trees from the windowsill and place them in close proximity to the windows. If there is a lack of natural light during the cold season, it is advisable to provide additional lighting using fluorescent lamps.
Nutritional deficiencies
Due to a lack of nutrients, the coffee tree often loses its berries, leaves necrosis, and lags behind normal development. For example, the so-called edge burn, manifested by browning and drying out of the edges of the foliage, occurs when there is a lack of potassium in the soil. Yellowness and falling leaves can be caused by iron deficiency; poor development of the tree can be caused by an insufficient amount of nitrogen or phosphorus. Therefore, from April to September, when coffee grows most actively, it needs to be fed complex fertilizers for indoor plants.
Incorrect transplant
Coffee should not be replanted with a complete soil change. A tree that needs a larger pot is transferred along with the earthen ball, adding the missing amount of soil to the new container. If after the procedure the plant withers, it needs to be arranged in a greenhouse from plastic bag, but so that its edges do not come into contact with the leaves. Watering during this period is reduced, but daily spraying is carried out with the addition of biostimulants to the water: epin (2 drops per 1 l) or zircon (4 drops per 1 l). When new leaves appear on the tree and the old ones “come to life,” the greenhouse is removed.
Failure to comply with temperature and humidity conditions
High indoor temperature and low humidity negatively affect the coffee tree. The tips of its leaves dry out and the plant loses its attractiveness. Indoor Arabica plants react especially sharply to unfavorable conditions. The problem is solved by regularly spraying the foliage, weekly watering of the plant from the shower, and positioning it during heating season as far as possible from heating devices, placing the pot with the coffee tree on a tray filled with expanded clay or pebbles. When ventilating the room, the tree must be protected from drafts, as this has a bad effect on the health of the plant.
Quarantine
If the coffee tree was purchased in a pot in a store, it is advisable to place it separately for 3-4 weeks. During quarantine, he is monitored, and in case of manifestation of diseases or the presence of pests, he is taken necessary measures. Temporary isolation will also help prevent infection of other houseplants. To reduce the likelihood of diseases and damage to the coffee tree by harmful insects, the soil intended for planting or replanting should be treated with boiling water or calcined in the oven.
Diseases of coffee trees grown on plantations
Coffee trees grown on plantations get sick more often than their indoor “brothers”. Among the diseases, there are especially dangerous ones that can completely destroy not only the crop, but also the plantings.
Roya or Coffee Leart Rust
Rust has been called the tragedy of the coffee world. It was she who destroyed absolutely all the coffee plantations on the island more than a century ago. Sri Lanka (until 1972 Ceylon), despite the fact that swarm only affects tree leaves. Their top part covered yellow spots, and the inner one - with orange spores, similar to rust. One leaf blade contains about a trillion of them! Leaves infected with the fungus Hemileia vastatrix die and fall off. A bare tree stops bearing fruit and may die within 3 months. The disease is incurable and almost impossible to stop. Scientists have not yet been able to find methods to help cope with rust. But they are doing serious work in this direction, including developing new varieties of coffee that are resistant to the insidious disease. The most vulnerable type of coffee tree is Arabica.
Anthracnose
The disease occurs everywhere, but most often it affects coffee plantations in Central America, India and Brazil. The causative agent is the fungus Colletotrichum coffeanum, which penetrates the plant through damage and affects almost all parts of the plant. The foliage becomes covered with round spots, on which dark dots subsequently appear. Green berries turn black, dry out and fall off. Brown spots with a rim around the edges appear on ripe fruits; dark brown spots appear on trunks and branches, which begin to peel and crack over time. Diseased shoots and leaves die. The yield of coffee trees affected by anthracnose drops significantly. The main methods of control: pruning diseased branches, removing fallen leaves and fruits, treating with fungicides, the frequency of which depends on the degree of the disease.
Gray rot
The causative agent of gray rot is the fungus Botrytis cinerea pers. Settles mainly on fruits. IN initial stage small diseases appear on the berries brown spot, which gradually grows and covers the fruits with a fluffy coating. Infected berries dry out but do not fall off. The disease is combated by spraying with appropriate fungicides; rotten fruits are removed and destroyed.
Filament rot
The causative agent of filamentous rot is the fungus Armillariella mellea karst. Its spores, entering the plant through damage to the bark, form an extensive mycelium. Once inside the tree, the fungi release toxins that attack the bark and cambium (the thin layer of tissue between the bark and the wood). The disease spreads on the roots and base of trunks, forming white fibrous rot. It disrupts the nutrition and water supply of the root system, as a result of which plants often die. Trees that spread filamentous rot and have lost their economic importance are removed and burned.
Dark brown rot
This type of root rot is caused by the fungus Rosellinia bunodes (Berk. et Br.) Sacc. Affects coffee trees when the soil is waterlogged. Plant roots covered with mycelium acquire Brown color. Diseased trees become drooping, leaves darken, and sometimes fall off. Sick plants are practically untreatable, so they should be removed.
Ojo de gallo (ojo de gallo - eye of the rooster)
The disease caused by the fungus Mycena citricolor is widespread mainly in plantations Central America. It affects flowers, young and old leaves, and berries at any stage of maturity. Appears as rounded gray spots. Ultimately, the trees lose their leaves, stop bearing fruit, and may even die. The spread of ojo de gayo is facilitated by prolonged wet weather, lack of fertilizers, and the cultivation of varieties susceptible to this disease.
Conditions required for good coffee harvests
Growing coffee is not easy work. And even in a favorable climate, when coffee trees receive sufficient sunlight and precipitation and grow at a stable average annual temperature, they need proper care. The highest yields of high-quality coffee are obtained by growing it on fertile soil in slight shade, which prevents the plants from overheating. Required condition– compliance with the rules of agricultural technology, if necessary – treatment of plantations from diseases and pests.