Origin
Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner var. welwitschii (De Wild.) A.Chev. is a species of coffee plant that is native to Africa, specifically the Congo Basin and Uganda. It is a variant of Coffea canephora, commonly known as robusta coffee.
Common Names
Common names for Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner var. welwitschii (De Wild.) A.Chev. include Congo coffee, Congo-Ethiopian coffee, and African robusta coffee.
Uses
Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner var. welwitschii (De Wild.) A.Chev. is primarily used for its coffee beans, which have a higher caffeine content and more bitter taste compared to Coffea arabica, the other commonly grown coffee species. The beans are mostly used in blends to create a stronger flavor and aroma.
Aside from coffee production, Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner var. welwitschii (De Wild.) A.Chev. is also used in traditional medicine. The plant's leaves and bark are believed to have antimicrobial properties and are used in infusions to treat fever, diarrhea, and malaria.
General Appearance
Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner var. welwitschii (De Wild.) A.Chev. is a small tree or shrub that can grow up to 10 meters tall. It has smooth, oval leaves that are dark green and shiny on the top and lighter in color on the underside. The flowers are white and fragrant and grow in clusters along the branches. The fruit is a red or purple drupe that contains two coffee beans.
hereGrowth Conditions for Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner var. welwitschii (De Wild.) A.Chev.
Light Requirements: Coffea canephora var. welwitschii is a shade-loving plant, and prefers to grow under moderate to heavy shade. It is a mid-level shade-tolerant plant, and grows best under 50-70% shade. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves, and may cause stunted growth.
Temperature Requirements: Coffea canephora var. welwitschii prefers warm temperatures, ideally between 22-26°C during the day, and 18-22°C at night. Temperatures above 30°C or below 15°C can stress the plant and interfere with its growth pattern and maturity. It also needs a good level of humidity, with ideal levels ranging between 60-80%.
Soil Requirements: Coffea canephora var. welwitschii grows best in well-draining, loamy soils with a pH of 4.5 to 6.5, that are rich in organic content. The plant can tolerate a wide range of soils, but it must have good drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. The plant also needs regular fertilization, with recommended fertilizers that contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and other micronutrients.
Cultivation methods
Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner var. welwitschii (De Wild.) A.Chev. is commonly known as Robusta coffee, and it is an evergreen plant that grows best in tropical climates. To cultivate this plant, it is essential to provide it with the right environmental conditions. Ensure the plant gets sufficient sunlight, ideally 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, and temperatures between 20°C to 30°C. Additionally, Coffea canephora prefers well-draining and nutrient-rich soil.Watering needs
Proper watering is essential for the growth of Coffea canephora. The watering needs of this plant vary depending on the climatic conditions and the stage of growth. During the early stages of growth, regularly water the plant, but ensure the soil is not water-logged. Once the plant has matured, reduce the frequency of watering but ensure that it does not dry out completely. During the dormant season, the plant requires reduced watering.Fertilization
Fertilizer application is necessary for the proper growth and development of Coffea canephora. Apply a balanced fertilizer every three months, starting from two months after planting. The fertilization can vary depending on the soil condition. For example, in nutrient-poor soil, apply fertilizer rich in Nitrogen and Potassium to encourage growth. During the flowering and fruiting stages, Potassium-rich fertilizer is ideal, while slow-release fertilizer is advisable for uniform growth.Pruning
Pruning is essential for the proper growth and health of Coffea canephora. Prune the plant during the dormant period before new growth appears. Trim back the branches to maintain the plant's height, shape, and to encourage new growth. It is advisable to remove any diseased, dead, or damaged branches to prevent the spread of diseases. Additionally, if the plant is grown for coffee production, prune the shrub to promote branching and more significant flower production.Propagation of Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner var. welwitschii (De Wild.) A.Chev.
Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner var. welwitschii (De Wild.) A.Chev. is commonly known as Robusta coffee and is propagated through both sexual and asexual methods.
Sexual Propagation
The plant can be propagated through seeds, which are obtained from ripe fruits. The seeds must be extracted from the fruit pulp, washed, and dried in the sun. The planting can be done directly in the soil or in containers filled with potting mix. The soil or potting mix must be kept moist during the germination process, which lasts approximately four weeks.
Asexual Propagation
Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner var. welwitschii (De Wild.) A.Chev. can also be propagated vegetatively through cuttings. Stem cuttings of about 20cm in length are obtained from mature and healthy plants. The leaves at the lower end of the cutting are stripped, and the cutting is planted in a container filled with a substrate composed of sand and soil in equal parts. The cutting must be kept in a shaded and humid environment to promote the growth of roots. The rooting process can take up to three months.
An alternative method of asexual propagation is through layering. This method involves bending a low-lying branch of a mature and healthy plant to insert it into the soil. The portion of the branch inserted into the soil must be wounded to promote the growth of roots. The wound is treated with a rooting hormone, and the portion buried in soil is kept moist. After the roots have formed, the branch is separated from the mother plant and planted in a suitable location.
Disease Management
Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner var. welwitschii (De Wild.) A.Chev. is susceptible to several diseases, including coffee leaf rust, coffee berry disease, and coffee wilt disease. These diseases can cause significant damage to the plant and negatively affect the yield and quality of the coffee produced. It is necessary to have a disease management plan to control the spread and severity of these diseases.
To manage coffee leaf rust, it is essential to prune infected branches and trees. Fungicides such as copper sprays can also be used to treat the affected parts of the plant. Another management strategy is to plant rust-resistant coffee varieties.
Coffee berry disease can be managed by implementing good agricultural practices, such as proper crop sanitation and pruning infected branches. Fungicides can also be used to control the spread of the disease. Infected coffee berries should be removed and destroyed to prevent the disease from spreading.
Coffee wilt disease is a severe disease that can cause high mortality in coffee plants. There is no cure for this disease, and infected trees must be uprooted and destroyed immediately to prevent the spread of the disease. It is vital to monitor the plantations constantly to detect and remove infected trees.
Pest Management
Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner var. welwitschii (De Wild.) A.Chev. is also susceptible to pest attacks, particularly by the coffee berry borer and coffee white stem borer. These pests can cause significant damage to the coffee berries and the stem, resulting in reduced yield and poor quality coffee. Hence, it is necessary to have an effective pest management plan.
To manage coffee berry borer, it is essential to monitor the plantations constantly and remove infected berries. Pheromone traps can also be used to trap the adult borer and reduce their population. Insecticides can also be used to control the pest population but should be used judiciously to avoid the development of resistance.
Coffee white stem borer can be controlled by pruning infected branches and removing them. Treating the wounds with fungicides and insecticides can also help to control the spread of the pest.
Implementing good agricultural practices, such as proper irrigation and fertilizer management, can also help to reduce the likelihood of pest attacks. Proper sanitation and field hygiene can also prevent the occurrence of pest attacks.
