Techniques for growing new coffee trees

To plant new coffee, you need to decide on the right soil, variety, density, planting hole, shade tree and care schedule for the first year. Instructions on the process from preparing the orchard to planting trees for Central Highlands robusta coffee.

Summary: Planting new coffee is a long-term decision of 20-30 years. Errors in soil, variety, density or planting hole will be very difficult to correct once the tree is in business. This article guides the process of planting new robusta coffee in the Central Highlands: choosing soil, choosing varieties, designing orchards, preparing holes, planting trees and taking care of the first 12 months.

Applies to: Newly planted Robusta coffee in Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Lam Dong, Kon Tum and suitable Southeast region.
Duration: Prepare 2-3 months before planting, take close care in the first year.
Difficulty level: Basic but needs to be done right from the beginning.
Estimated additional costs: 80-160 million VND per hectare for seedlings, pits, fertilizer, irrigation and planting labor.

Soil and climate conditions

Rosabi coffee is most suitable in the region:

Altitude about 500-800 meters above sea level.
The soil is thick, loose, and well-drained.
pH about 5.0-6.5.
The dry season is clear for flower bud differentiation, but there is a water source for irrigation.
No prolonged flooding.

The red basalt soil of the Central Highlands is a good foundation, but not all red soil can be planted. It is necessary to check the soil layer, laterite, slope, water sources in the dry season and drainage lines in the rainy season.

Choose breed

Should use recognized varieties with clear sources:

Selected or hybrid robusta coffee varieties, suitable for the Central Highlands region.
Seedlings from a reputable facility, with a leading orchard or clear source of seeds/buds.
The tree has no pests, no twisted roots, no broken bulbs.

Standards commonly needed for seedlings:

Age 6-8 months.
About 25-30 centimeters tall.
There are 5-6 pairs of true leaves.
Strong base diameter, straight stem.
The soil is firm, the roots grow but do not curl.

Don't buy cheap plants from unknown sources. Seed money is only a small part compared to the cost and time of the whole orchard.

orchard design

Density

Popularity:

3 x 3 meters: about 1,100 trees per hectare.
3 x 3.5 meters: about 950 trees per hectare.

The orchard has good soil and can be watered at a standard density. If the orchard is dry, lacks water, or if you want to intercrop perennials, you should consider spacing it out more.

Roads and drainage

Leave internal roads for transporting manure and harvesting.
Design drainage ditches in sloping or low-lying areas.
Plant along contour lines if the land slopes to reduce erosion.

Trees provide shade and wind protection

Coffee trees need moderate shade:

Temporary shade trees: cassia, beans, green manure plants.
Long-term shade trees: cassia, acacia or locally suitable trees.
Do not let shade trees compete too strongly for water during the dry season.

Good shading helps seedlings reduce sun shock and keep the soil moist, but too much shading makes the plants weak.

Prepare the planting hole

Dig holes at least 1-2 months before planting:

Popular size: 60 x 60 x 60 centimeters.
Bad soil or shallow soil: can dig 70 x 70 x 70 centimeters.
Separate top soil and lower soil when digging.

Fertilize each hole:

Composted organic fertilizer: 10-15 kilograms.
Fused phosphate or suitable phosphate: 0.5-1 kilogram.
Lime: 0.5-1 kilogram if the soil is acidic.
Trichoderma mixed with decomposed organic matter if possible.

Fill the hole 20-30 days before planting to allow the fertilizer to stabilize. Do not place the plant directly on unrotted manure.

Planting season

The best season in the Central Highlands is usually from mid-May to August, when the rainy season has stabilized and there is enough time for trees to take root before the dry season.

Avoid:

Planting too early when the rain is not steady will cause the tree to dry out easily.
Planted too late, close to the dry season, the tree has not yet had time to take root.
Planting right after heavy rain makes the soil soggy and the bulbs can easily rot.

If you have active irrigation, you should still stick to the beginning of the rainy season to reduce risks in the first year.

Planting techniques

Dig a hole in the middle just bigger than the bulb.
Tear off the bag gently, without breaking the bag.
Place the plant straight, with the potting surface horizontal or slightly 2-3 centimeters below the ground.
Fill the top soil around the pot, compact it lightly.
Place stakes to hold the tree if the wind is strong.
The root cabinet is made of clean organic material, a few centimeters away from the root.

After planting, water lightly if the soil is not moist enough. Do not water the soil around the pot.

First year care

Irrigation

Rainy season: watch for short dry spells, add additional irrigation if soil is dry.
First dry season: water evenly, less than commercial crops but don't let the bulbs dry out.

Fertilizer

Divide into several, light amounts.
Apply 20-30 centimeters away from the base, cover lightly.
Priority is organic, phosphorus, balanced fertilizer; Don't push too hard too early.

Weeding and rooting

Clean the grass around the base.
Keep grass low between rows to reduce erosion if competition is not strong.
Dry season to keep moisture.

Replanting

Check after 30 days, 90 days and at the end of the rainy season:

Dead or severely stunted trees must be removed early.
Use trees of the same age or good quality spare trees.

Common mistakes

Choose cheap varieties, unknown sources: uneven orchard, low yield for many years.

Dig holes close to planting day: fertilizer is not yet stable, soil has not had time to reduce alum/aerate.

Planting too deep: the root collar easily rots, the plant grows slowly.

No water in the first dry season: trees live in the rainy season but die or stunt in the dry season.

Remove shade trees completely: seedlings will be exposed to sunlight, leaves will burn, growth will be slow.

Take notes

[ ] Seed source, date of purchase, quantity.
[ ] Date of digging holes, amount of fertilizer for each lot.
[ ] Planting date and weather at planting time.
[ ] Survival rate after 30, 90, 180 days.
[ ] Number of miles and cause of death.
[ ] Costs for setting up a orchard.

First year data helps evaluate which plots have good soil and which plots need further improvement before the trees enter the basic construction stage.