Roses? Nah.

Well, big news on the coffee front. Flowers! I started heavy watering a few weeks back along with some bone meal. I was about to give up on any chance of flowers coming from the buds, and on my way out of the house the other morning I glanced at the plant and behold!! They are popping out in several places where buds have been. It seems the ones that are doing the best are on stems that grew late last fall. The plant has continued to grow taller as well. I had to take it off the table it was on and put it on the floor. No signs of slowing down, so maybe I should consider naming my estate and looking for an exporter!!

Hey, Bud!

Okay, I know it has been many moons since I posted, but honestly, nothing was really happening until recently. But things are definitely going on now! After a month or two of little no growth, and a sometimes droopy looking plant, things pick up last week.
A new sprout came from the top, and some of the existing branches started growing new leaves. I thought this a bit odd, as it has been much cooler lately as winter approaches. But then I thought of something. We keep the heat set at 68 degrees, a full 10 degrees cooler than the AC setting when it is hot.
I wonder if that distinct and constant temperature change has had a positive effect?

This new growth is cool, but it's not the big news of the day. Oh no, not the big news at all. I was admiring the new growth earlier this week and glanced at a branch where the leaves come from the stem and saw something I have never seen before. Hmmm?? Could it be?? Yes, I think it is!! Flower buds. And as I looked over the plant, I noticed them everywhere. Now the fun begins. I have to see what may come of these little buds. A while back I asked Tony Cleese of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association what I should do to promote flowering. He said P (phosphorus) is a must, and gave me a few organic options. I wonder where I can get some chicken manure??

So wrapping it up, I PROMISE the multitude (both) of my blog fans that I will pick up the pace on the postings. A cup of coffee is coming, I just know it.
-Daryn

Growth Spurt.

Sometimes 6 leaves start at once, as the plant grows upward. This is a time lapse of about 3 weeks.

Outside Opinion.

My plant is actually three. The largest is probably 10 times the size of the other two. I have always wanted to separate the three, but have been nervous about hurting them. I think the plant is strong enough now to take it, so I will do it soon.

I heard back from Martha Kent, a Staff Horticulturist from the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. She advised no more blood meal or Holy Tone for now, because rapid growth promotion is not always good for flower production. She also said the house heat during winter months may be tough on it. I think I will try running a humidifier near it during those months.
There is a internet site called The Garden Helper with some basic advice. I have seen it before, but found what they suggest was not really as specific as I hoped.