Black Twig Borer-Background

When I first started farming Kona Coffee more than 30 years ago the Black Twig Borer (BTB) was already here.  Back then damage was barely noticeable and I considered it a minor threat. In fact, I used to tell other farmers that they didn’t have to worry about the BTB at all.  This lack of…

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Pruning Practices

BEST PRACTICES: PRUNING PRACTICES-Notes updated 12/28/2022 (Bob Smith) Pruning is the start of the farming year. Coffee beans form on last year’s growth.  Three years growth on the vertical gives the maximum crop. Remove suckers on bent over verticals if using the “Multi-vertical” method. The “Beaumont-Fukunaga” method prunes every third row to the stump, permitting…

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Coffee Pruning 2022

Pruning Coffee by Bob Smith WHY:  Coffee trees require yearly pruning to remove unproductive branches and to make space for new vigorous growth.  Coffee verticals have a growth cycle of 3 years.  Maximum production is achieved the 3rd year. Growth thereafter is on a biennial schedule with high yield/low yield in alternating years.  Approximately 1/3…

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