Planting
The planting procedure of coffee is to have the seedlings planted in nurseries, watered
frequently and protected from direct sunlight until they’re prime enough to be transplanted
permanently into the farm during the rainy season. This is the most ideal weather condition
allowing the roots to firmly bide to the soil.
Maturity of the Crop
This is another whole centerfold that involves the following processes for the now fully
developed shrub to reproduce the cherries. This takes an average time of 3 years to get the
coffee shrub to the reproduction stage. This process takes an average time of 6 months to have
cherries ready for harvest. This means coffee is harvested twice in a year representing the two
cycles in a coffee farm.
i. Candle stage
Flower buds take the shape and look of a flame suspended on the coffee shrub branches
awaiting to bloom into flowers.
ii. Flowering
On the morning of the flowering stage the entire farm takes the look and shape of a bride
dressed in her white gown. Pollution booms in actions for the Robusta variety. It’s a buzz, as
bees act as agents of pollution in this gold rush conquest for nectar. The flowers will then dry
up (they turn brown in color) and usher in the next stage.
NB: – Arabica variety self-pollinates mostly before the flower opens up while Robusta relies on
cross pollination.
iii. Pin head
Noddle shaped; these pin heads replace the flowers within a months’ time. These are now what
grow to become cherries.
iv. Cherry
They turn from green to a deep red berry once they’re ready to be harvested