For these dog days of summer, we recommend an adequate amount of shade. It’s not advisable to clear all of it, 40% of cover can be kept in order to prevent diseases such as cercospora and other coffee related diseases. In sectors susceptible to rooster’s eye, shade can be reduced depending on the amount attacked.

Remember that a plantation with well-managed shade will have more stable harvests with uniform ripening, and will require less fungicides and herbicides. As necessary, we recommend using preventive products so that when the seasonal rains of the next months fall, it won’t be too late. It’s better to prevent than to cure.

In the case of new growth and renovation of coffee crops, we must tend to them in the best manner, and treat them completely separate from the mature plants, because they are the base upon which future harvests will depend.

Take note that rainfall has decreased alarmingly, which could cause nutritional problems in the plant due to lack of moisture in the soils. We recommend the application of sustainable foliar nutrients to allow the coffee fruit to develop adequately, and thus have an appropriate size come harvest season, according to international standards.  

 Christian Ureña, Agronomist

Technical Assistance Dept.