Still Growing

Spring has been a good season. The re-potted plants continue their journey outward and upward. The big plant has proven to be a real fast mover. It reminds me of a conversation with Aida Battle of Finca Mauritania fame that occurred last fall. She had done a significant pruning at her farms that year and was very pleased with how fast the trees had been growing since.
I am also happy, but cautious, to report that the one newly sprouted seed that resulted from my germination attempt is still around. The way you see it in the picture is how it has been for a couple weeks now. The seed has not fallen off and there are no leaves yet, but it seems to be growing a bit and maintaining its strength. I continue to be amazed by coffees patient nature. Just when I have started to think things would never happen (flowers, cherries, sprouted seed) is when they do.

I Love Spring.

The air is warm and breezy, the sun shines longer, and the plants start growing! I am so excited by what I have seen recently with my trees. All three are showing strong signs of growth, and the largest of them is growing so fast I swear I can almost see it happening. Now that I have faith the the big, traumatic pruning and separation was a success, I choose to offer the trees a bit of organic love. A healthy dose of organic blood meal and organic bone meal were their first feedings of any kind since last fall. I am looking forward to outdoor nighttime temperatures continuing to rise, as I feel an prolonged al fresco stint will do them well.

I have also been obsessively checking the germinating seeds. I was about to give up on them again, when a little sprout gave me hope once again. Of the twenty seeds I have planted, it is the only one to do anything so far, but I imagine at least a few more should offer some hope. The sprout is changing very slowly, and I not sure how long to leave it in the covered tray on a warm heating bad. I don't want to remove it to soon.

New Life, a Long Time Coming

I am pleased to announce (after a long absense from blogging, sorry), that my beloved trees have all sprung back to life. The photos here are of the largest of the three. I waited patiently for a couple months, and our first sunny spring days and lots of water brought forth these pleasing results. The leaves are a beautiful deep green, and are growing so fast now I can see obvious results every week. When the fear of sub 50 degree weather withers away, I will be giving the trees their first extended outdoor experience. I hope an outdoor spring excursion helps continue this fitful growth spurt, and maybe even leads to a summertime crop.

Sadly, I must report that the little progated plants that I started after the big pruning experience did not survive. However, a friend was kind enough to bring some beans in parchment back from a recent trip to El Salvador. I started to germinate them over a month ago. I was close to giving up, but just this evening a little white stem seems to have pop out of one of the seeds. Maybe time to build that greenhouse sooner than I planned. Don't tell my wife.

Wah?

One little, two little, three little glass pots....four little five little six little glass pots....


Sometimes I have to take a step back, and think about how much coffee we aficionados are really responsible for roasting, serving, and selling. I love living the little white lie in my head that tells me most people want better. Then I remember brands like Old Milwaukee Beer, Popov Vodka, and Sam's Choice Cola. I know the balance is shifitng, but boy do we still need a lot of ballast. Keep your head up Daryn, I say to myself.....