Brown, dead spots/edges on coffee arabica leaves.

Anyone know what could be causing these dead spots? I end up cutting a lot of lower leaves off. Thanks in advance! (I hope the pictures aren't too big.)

Going only by the odds, I'd say over-watering and a lack of adequate aeration in the soil, which inhibits root function which inhibits the plants ability to move water to its most distal parts - leaf tips and margins ..... probably compounded by the soluble salt build up that usually accompanies an overly water-retentive soil and results from watering in small sips in an attempt to keep the soil from remaining too soggy for too long.

Al

Put it out in the Sun!

The keiki (seedlings) want direct sunlight, and benefit by being in the direct light.

Coffee will do well, given good soil in a tropical climate.

This message was edited Sep 5, 2012 7:53 AM

As someone who has grown coffee in many places, and grown coffee in the PNW, I would say don't worry too much about it - it had some water stress at some point, and it will grow out of it. It does not look like a disease to me.

In general, in a pot coffee needs lots of water. I have found it is very important for good growth to keep them consistanly moist. I usually recommend a little dribble of water every day, more if it is a larger plant.

With good conditions, coffee grows pretty quickly and needs a regular feeding schedule to keep the growth healthy. I prefer an "acid"-type fertilizer, and I apply it every four to seven days.

If you can get the plant growing quickly it will shortly cover itself with new healthy leaves.

They produce fragrant flowers and coffee "cherries" easily, and are very satisfying houseplants, with the understanding that they are high-mantainence babies.

In refocusing on the necrotic areas of foliage you're concerned about, I can say that while the full sun is a good idea for plants that have a root system healthy enough to cope with the added water demands that come with full sun exposure, it's not going to fix the existing or prevent future dead spots. In fact, it's almost sure to make them worse if you increase the photo load because the added transpirational demands put even greater strain on an already compromised root system. In containers, coffee plants prefer what a very high % of houseplants and succulents prefer (plants other than perhaps cacti) - they prefer a barely damp, never wet or soggy soil with lots of air space and good gas exchange. Uptake of water and nutrients isn't a passive or energy-free process, it's energy driven and adequate soil aeration is a key ingredient, without which the root system cannot carry on transpiration, which is the energy-driven process on which the uptake of water/nutrients depends. What needs to be addressed is the triangle formed by soil choice, watering habits, and the level of soluble salts in the soil, because that's what is causing the spoiled foliage.

Getting plants to grow well doesn't necessarily equate to their growing fast, but getting plants to grow with good vitality and maximizing growth rate absolutely requires a healthy root system - that can't be denied. Plants may outgrow transient issues like burning foliage with something topical, like a pesticide, in the sense they will eventually shed the damaged foliage and grow on from there, but chronic issues related to the soil and lack of aeration are things that usually require proactivity on the grower's part. Watering in small sips or 'dribbles' is one of the things I noted as a potential cause of the build-up of soluble salts in the soil, and a habit that is much better avoided than adopted.

You can't really effectively advise someone how to fertilize unless you know something about the soil a person is using AND their watering habits. For grower A, who uses a water-retentive soil and waters in dribbles, fertilizing every 4-7 days with recommended doses will ensure the speedy demise of almost any plant, with symptoms of the organism's pending failure first appearing as those the OP pictured, while for grower B who uses a free-draining and highly aerated soil and waters to beyond saturation and flushes the soil at every watering, half recommended doses at 4-7 day intervals might be just the ticket.

Al

have you ever grown coffee?

Why would you ask me that question? If you found something to disagree with, please be direct and we can discuss it.

Al

Yes, I have grown Coffee for over 30 years now, but I prefer Chocolate.