Prepare coffee planting holes

The coffee planting hole determines the rooting zone for the first 2-3 years. Instructions on hole size, topsoil separation, organic fertilizer — phosphorus — lime, pit drying time and inspection before placing seedlings.

Summary: Baby coffee trees live on their roots in the planting hole during the early stages. A hole that is too small, clogged soil, unrotted manure, or placing the tree right on top of a layer of hot manure will all cause the tree to grow slowly, have yellow leaves, and die in the first dry season. This article provides instructions on how to properly prepare planting holes for new and replanted coffee orchards.

Applies to: Newly grown or replanted Robusta coffee in the Central Highlands.
Duration: Dig and fertilize 30-60 days before planting.
Difficulty level: Basic but need to do each hole carefully.
Estimated additional costs: 15-35 million VND per hectare for pit digging, fertilizer, lime and phosphate.

Why is the planting hole important

The planting hole is the first area of land where seedling roots develop after being planted in the orchard. A good hole helps:

The roots quickly grow into new soil.
The tree does not suffer from fertilizer shock.
The soil around the roots is airy and moderately moist.
The tree survives the first dry season better.

Bad holes usually do not cause the tree to die immediately, but the tree is stunted for many months, has yellow leaves, few branches and has to be replanted late.

Pit size

Popular size:

Good, loose soil: 50 x 50 x 50 centimeters.
Average land: 60 x 60 x 60 centimeters.
Bad land, shallow cultivation layer: 70 x 70 x 70 centimeters.

With replanted land or land that has had root diseases, you should dig more widely and treat the soil more thoroughly. You should not dig a hole as small as the tree's pot.

Separate topsoil and bottom soil

When digging:

Topsoil 0-30 centimeters set aside.
The land on the lower floor is kept separate.
When backfilling, priority should be given to topsoil mixed with fertilizer and brought down to the root zone.
Bad soil, gravel, old tree roots need to be removed.

Topsoil is often richer in organic matter and microorganisms. Indiscriminate mixing loses this advantage.

Handling holes after digging

Exposing the hole

Dry the hole for 15-30 days before fertilizing if you have time.
For replanted orchards, drying longer helps reduce old roots and pathogens.
Do not let the hole become a place for water to accumulate after rain.

Apply lime

Lime if the soil is acidic or the replanted orchard is at risk of root disease.
Mix lime with soil, leave at least 10-15 days before applying organic fertilizer.
Do not pour lime directly close to the roots of seedlings when planting.

Primer fertilizer formula

Each hole can be fertilized:

Composted organic fertilizer: 10-15 kilograms.
Fused phosphate or suitable phosphate: 0.5-1 kilogram.
Lime: 0.5-1 kilogram depending on soil.
Trichoderma: use according to instructions, mixed with organic matter.

Everything must be mixed well with topsoil and covered 20-30 days before planting. Unrotted organic fertilizer is a very serious mistake because it heats up the roots and increases fungus.

Fill the hole

After mixing fertilizer:

Fill the soil 5-10 centimeters higher than the natural ground level because the soil will sink.
Do not let the hole become a bowl to hold water.
Mark the center of the hole so that when planting, place the tree in the correct position.

In areas with heavy rain or heavy soil, the surface of the hole needs to be slightly high to avoid waterlogging of the root collar.

Check before planting

Before planting date:

[ ] The hole has been filled stably for at least 20 days.
[ ] The soil in the hole is moist enough but not soggy.
[ ] The organic fertilizer has decomposed and no longer has a hot smell.
[ ] There are no large old coffee roots left in the hole.
[ ] The surface of the hole is not waterlogged.
[ ] Seedlings and planting holes match density and row.

If the hole is still hot or smells of fresh manure, wait more. Planting a few weeks late is better than killing the seedlings.

Place the tree in the hole

When planting:

Dig a small hole in the middle of the hole just large enough for the plant's pot.
Tear the bag gently to avoid breaking the bag.
Place the bulb at ground level or 2-3 centimeters lower.
Fill the soil and gently compact it around the bulb.
Do not place the tree too deep as the root collar will be buried.
Place stakes if necessary.

After planting, cover the roots with clean organic material but do not cover it close to the stem.

Common mistakes

Dig the hole close to the planting date: the fertilizer has not yet stabilized, the soil is still squishy.

Not separating topsoil: losing the best layer of soil for the root zone.

Fresh fertilization: roots burn, root rot.

Placing the tree too deep: the root collar stays wet for a long time, the tree turns yellow.

Making a sunken hole in a rainy area: water stagnates around the base, roots lack oxygen.

Take notes

Day of digging the hole.
Pit size of each lot.
Amount of organic matter, phosphorus, and lime applied.
Source of organic fertilizer.
Date of filling the hole and date of planting.
Proportion of dead trees in each batch after 30-90 days.

If a lot of trees die in a batch, planting hole data helps trace the cause very quickly.