How do I manage Soil Fertility in coffee shamba?
Coffee requires fertile soils with high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). The fertilizer requirements are dependent on the soil fertility status; soil PH, level of production and usage of cultural farming practices. One 20 litre basin of decomposed manure should be added to the soil when planting to improve soil fertility. For Mature coffee trees 3-5kg of manure should be added around each tree once a year. Or At the beginning of the rainy season apply inorganic fertilizer around the tree within the rooting zones but do not allow it to touch any part of the coffee plant especially the leaves. For older trees of 2 years apply 250gm of fertilizer per tree per rainy season. For Robusta apply CAN 26%.
When do I carry out Pruning and De-suckering in coffee?
Use secateurs to remove dead, weak or un-productive branches and small suckers. Also remove tertiary branches and the skirt of lower primary branches that touch the soil surface to avoid infestation from the soil
