Coffee Grows on Tropical Evergreen Shrubs

Many people enjoy coffee, especially during the holidays. There are so many different types of coffee and ways to brew it. We drink coffee every morning while we enjoy nature all around us – either from the hot tub or dining room windows.

Jamaica's Blue Mountain coffee

During my travels, I’ve seen coffee growing in many different places. Coffee plantations scattered Costa Rica as we drive from San Jose through the Tilaran Mountain range. I visited a coffee farm with antique processing displays in Puerto Rico. We bicycled through Jamaica’s blue mountains and drank fresh coffee brewed over an open fire.

Coffee beans grow on the Coffea arabica plant, which is an evergreen shrubby tree. Its leaves are broad, shiny, and shaped like an arrowhead. In the wild, it grows to a height of 14 to 20 feet, but when cultivated it is usually kept pruned to about 6 to 10 feet to facilitate picking the beans and to encourage heavy bearing.

The plant has fragrant flowers that are typically pollinated by native honeybees. The flowers are small, white blossoms that cluster at the base of the leaves. These mature into a small oval berry that are about the color and size of a small cherry. Inside of the skin and pulp, two coffee beans are nestled with their flat sides together. About four thousand beans make a single pound of coffee. 

Coffee bean harvest is done by hand and only when the cherries are ripe. A worker can pick 7-12 baskets a day. Once picked, the cherries are transported to coffee mills where the cherry skin is immediately removed from the coffee cherry.

Coffee grown as houseplant

Processing involved many steps including washing, pulping, fermenting, drying, storing, and finally roasting and packaging. Beans are a pale tan color until they are roasted, which changes the beans to a beautiful shiny brown color. Roasting is done according to customer preference such as medium roast, full bodied dark roast, or espresso roast.

I really like a robust cup of coffee. The best coffee I ever had was in Ecuador, fresh brewed by my daughters-in-law’s grandmother. She roasted and ground the beans herself, and then slowly dripped a small amount of water through the grounds to form a think almost-syrup liquid. The syrup was mixed with hot water at the table to each person’s taste.

I also enjoy coffee in a French press, Italian Moka pot, Espresso machine, boiled on the stove, and auto dripped in a traditional American coffee maker. I typically drink my coffee black, but I also really like a skinny, soy latte.

As you enjoy your coffee this holiday season, think about the coffee plant and how it was grown. You might also try growing a coffee plant as a houseplant.

Spirited Plants

Happy New Year! Whether you toast in the New Year with sparkling grape juice or a more spirited drink, it is interesting to think of all the plants that make up spirits.

Spirits are named by the fermented material from which they are distilled. Various grains make up whiskey, vodka, gin, and most types of schnapps. Brandy is made from fermented grape juice, and fruit brandy is made from other fruits. Rum and cane spirits come from fermented sugar cane juice or molasses. Tequila and mezcal come from the fermented pulp of the agave plant.

Whiskey is distilled from various grains. It is aged, often for extended periods of time, in wooden barrels (usually oak), which adds aroma, flavor, and an amber hue. After some time, these whiskey barrels are cut in half and sold as plant containers. Scotch and Irish whiskeys are made from barley, while North American whiskeys are typically a mix of corn, rye, wheat, barley, and other grains in different proportions.

Vodka is distilled from a mash of pale grain or vegetable matter, including potatoes, molasses, beets, and a variety of other plants. Rye and wheat are the classic grains for vodka, with most Russian vodkas being made from wheat.  In Poland, they are mostly made from a rye mash.

Juniper berries

Gin is a juniper berry-flavored grain spirit. Junipers are grown worldwide and are very common foundation plants.

Rum comes from sugarcane. While touring the Bacardi factory in the Bahamas a few years ago, I found out that Bacardi rum’s unique recipe is not only a distillation of molasses and water but also special yeast. The yeast is the secret and has been growing since 1862.

Distilling the fermented juice of agave plants in Mexico makes tequila. The agave is a spiky-leafed member of the lily family (it is not a cactus) and is related to the century plant.

Other alcoholic beverages include wine and beer. Wine comes from grapes and other fruits, while the beer is brewed from grain and hops.

For those of you who toast in the New Year with champagne, you might be drinking sparkling wine. Champagne is a region of France, and only wines that come from this region can properly be called "Champagne." Similar drinks from California and the rest of the world should be called "sparkling wines."

Have a safe and happy New Years! Please take care of yourself and each other, and don’t drink and drive!

Holly and Mistletoe Symbolize Christmas

Holly and mistletoe are symbols of the Christmas season. They are very different plants, but both quite beautiful in their own unique ways.

Juniper mistletoe in Arizona on 8-16-2020

Mistletoe is actually quite a pest in the South – including occasionally in Southern Illinois. It is a semi-parasitic plant that attaches itself to deciduous trees and “feeds” from that tree, although it also produces its own chlorophyll.  The scientific name for mistletoe is Phoradendron, which in Greek means a thief (“phor”) of a tree (“dendron”). Mistletoe indeed gets at least some nourishment from the trees on which they grow.

Mistletoe’s sticky fruits are poisonous to man, but some birds can eat them. One or two berries are sufficient to cause severe poisoning or even death in a child. Therefore, any mistletoe you buy should have fake berries. This is definitely a time when artificial is okay. I tease that the sign of a good horticulturist is to know when and how to properly use fake plants!

From the earliest times mistletoe has been one of the most magical, mysterious, and sacred plants of European folklore. It was considered a bestower of life and fertility; a protectant against poison; and an aphrodisiac. Kissing under the mistletoe is first found associated with the Greek festival of Saturnalia and later with primitive marriage rites. For those who wish to observe the correct etiquette: a man should pluck a berry when he kisses a woman under the mistletoe, and when the last berry is gone, there should be no more kissing!

Holly is overall a much prettier plant. The deep, green holly leaves are shiny and spectacular. Their unique shape is found on many Christmas items, including cookie cutters. The red berries are also quite nice.

There are many different types of holly plants, but many are not winter hardy here. The most common holly grown in northern gardens is the Meserve Hybrid Hollies (Ilex x meserveae). Holly plants are either male or female. Both must be present in the near vicinity to ensure the female flowers and thus produce fruit. Generally, we recommend planting one male plant to several female. To assure this, you must purchase your plants from a reputable source because there is no positive way to identify the different sexes until they flower.

American Holly at Graceland in 
Memphis TN on 1-8-2016

Probably the best known of the holly trees grown in the United States is the American Holly. These are beautiful dense pyramidal evergreen trees. They are quite popular in Southern Illinois where they are more winter hardy. However, I do occasionally see a nice, big tree up here. In Champaign there are a couple very nice, old American Holly trees. Mature trees are quite large, growing 15-25 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide. If male and female trees are within 2 city blocks, they produce beautiful berries that last all winter.

Happy Holidays!

Gift Ideas for the Gardener

Are you searching for the “perfect” gift for a gardener in your family? Here are some ideas that might prove helpful.

Gardeners always love gift plants and flowers. Since gardeners tend to be choosy about the type of plants they grow, get them a gift certificate to their favorite nursery. Or, give them a monthly subscription to receive fruit or plants each month for the next year.

All gardeners love gardening books and magazines. Give them a gift certificate from any bookstore or online bookseller for the purchase of gardening-related books. Or, give them a gardening magazine subscription.

For gardeners who love jewelry, fun garden themed jewelry is a great gift. Pins shaped like a garden rake or shovel or flower necklaces are good ideas for women.

For the male gardener, purchase a bird feeder, chimes, or other garden accessory.

Purchase gifts that will help the gardener avoid environmental hazards. All gardeners should use sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, gloves, proper shoes, long sleeved shirts and long pants, and ear protection when needed.

All gardeners need a good pair (or two) of gardening gloves. I have three or four different types on hand to match the type of gardening I’m doing. Gloves protect hands from twigs, spikes, thorns or even the drying soil. Make sure they fit or they won’t be worn.

Along with gloves, a gardener needs a good pair of gardening shoes, boots, or clogs. Clogs are often preferred because they are easy to slip on and work well for light gardening. Other gardening tasks require good sturdy shoes or boots. 

For the indoor gardener, there are many options as well. A tabletop terrarium is a lovely way to grow and enjoy an indoor garden. Be sure to give them some little houseplants and soil to get the terrarium started.

A canvas tote filled with gardening supplies is great for the indoor or outdoor gardener. For indoor gardeners include perfectly sized tools, a plant mister, a light meter, and a good houseplant book. For the outdoor gardener include tools, pruners, string, plant tags, and gloves.

Finally, what could be better than a whole basket full of gardening treasures! A collection of garden delights might include green tea, natural snacks, and gardening essentials such as gardening gloves, hand tools, kneeling pad, and jiffy-pots for seedlings.

Happy shopping! Oh, and if you are the gardener, cut out this article and leave it in an obvious spot for your loved one to see and get the hint!

Poinsettia Care is Easy and Fun

Poinsettias line the staircase at
Graceland in Memphis, TN

The poinsettia is the traditional Christmas flower. It was introduced to the United States in 1825 by Joel Robert Poinsett, first U. S. ambassador to Mexico who obtained plants from the wilds of southern Mexico.

The colorful parts of the poinsettia are actually modified leaves called bracts. The real poinsettia flower is the small yellow “ball” in the middle of the colored bracts. The real flowers are petal-less and often fall off indoors due to low humidity and light levels. Poinsettias are available in many colors in addition to the traditional red, including pink, white, and many multi-colored varieties. Blue and purple plants are died and not true flower colors.

When purchasing a poinsettia, look for two main features: healthy foliage and tight, intact “real” flowers. Avoid plants with yellow or damaged leaves because this could indicate poor handling, old plants, or a root disease problem. Tight “real” flowers indicate the plant is in an early stage and will last a long time. Once you choose the right plant, be sure it is well wrapped when you take it outside for your trip home. Even short exposure to low temperatures can injure leaves and bracts.

Once home, unwrap the plant as soon as possible. The best location for it is near a sunny window or another well-lighted area. A window that faces south, east, or west is better than one facing north. Do not let any part of the plant touch the cold windowpane because this may injure it.

Proper watering is important. Examine the soil daily, and when the surface is dry to the touch, water the soil until it runs freely out the drainage hole in the container. Discard the water that collects in the outer foil wrap or saucer. Do not leave the plant standing in water. Overly wet soil lacks sufficient air, which results in root injury.

Poinsettias prefer temperatures between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. They do not tolerate warm or cold drafts so keep them away from radiators, air registers, and fans as well as open

windows and doors. To extend the blooming time further, place your poinsettia in a cooler location at night.

Finally, please be sure to note and tell your friends that poinsettias are not poisonous. Extensive laboratory testing and university research have concluded that poinsettias are not poisonous. However, this does not imply that they are edible. Also, some people develop a dermal reaction (skin rash) if exposed to the white, milky sap of poinsettias.

To learn more about caring for poinsettias, check out my ILRiverHort YouTube video at go.illinois.edu/ILRiverHortvideos.

Just What Are Frankincense and Myrrh?

Just what are frankincense and myrrh? Certainly, they are part of many Christmas stories, but do you really know what those products are and why they were so valuable? Here is more information on both plant-based products.

Frankincense and myrrh are both resins -- dried tree sap -- that come from trees of the genus Boswellia (frankincense) and Commiphora (myrhh), which are common to Somalia and Ethiopia.

The value of these products comes partly from their use, but also from the labor-intensive way that they are harvested. To collect the tree’s sap, the tree's bark is cut, causing the sap to ooze from the cut. The sap used to create both frankincense and myrrh comes slowly and is allowed to dry on the tree for several months. The hardened sap is collected and used as frankincense and myrrh.

Frankincense is used mainly for its lovely fragrance, although historically it also had medicinal uses. Frankincense is a leafy tree that grows without soil along the rocky shores of Somalia. The young trees furnish the most valuable gum - a milky white ooze that hardens to a translucent golden hue.

Myrrh is collected from a small five- to 15-foot-tall tree about one foot in diameter called the dindin tree. The tree looks like a short flat-topped hawthorn tree with gnarly branches. The whitish-green flowers appear before the leaves in the spring. The plant looks scrubby and desolate among the rocks and sands of the desert.

True myrrh is crumbly and dark red inside. The exterior is white and powdery. The best myrrh has little odor and no oily texture. High quality myrrh demanded the best prices in the Roman Empire, but it did not ship well.

The most common use for frankincense and myrrh – past and present – is as incense. I have both in incense sticks, cones, and resins. Myrrh is also used medicinally, as an embalmer, in cosmetics, and today myrrh is found in some flavorings.

Today, you can find frankincense and myrrh for sale at stores and on the Internet. Beware that the product you purchase may actually be resin from another Middle Eastern tree and not the real stuff.

Cones are a Great Addition to Holiday Decorations

Cones are the seeds of conifer plants that keep their needles all year. All conifers have seed-bearing cones. Although many people call all cones “pinecones,” pine cones are only on pine trees. Other types include hemlock cones, spruce cones, fir cones, and cypress cones.

White pine (left), Red pine (upper right),
Blue spruce (lower right)

The most used cone is a pinecone. Mature cones on an eastern white pine are six to eight inches long by 2 inches wide. They are light brown with white tips on each cone scale. In the east, these cones sometimes grow much larger and are sold as giant eastern white pinecones.

The true giant cones typically come from Florida. Some of these mammoth beauties are up to 11 inches long and 16 inches around the base.  They come in random colors of brown, gray or red and some have green tips.

Some of the smallest – and cutest – cones come from hemlock trees. Hemlock cones are ½ inch around and come in chestnut brown to a dark brown/grayish color. Hemlock cones are beautiful, sturdy little cones that some people say look like a little rose.

For a small round pinecone, use those from the Scots pine (also called scotch pine).  These are one to two inches tall by one inch in diameter. Pinecones’ colors vary from blonde to brown with red or gray tints. Scots cones have a small pyramid prickle and a rounded bottom. Even smaller are the cones from a mugo pine that are only one inch by one inch when mature.

For a longer, cigar-shaped cone use a Spruce tree. The Norway spruce produces the largest spruce cone at three to six inches long. The Colorado blue spruce cone is two to four inches long and has a softer, lighter appearance.

If you prefer a fancy cone, try the Douglas fir cone. The Douglas fir is not a true fir but is a relative of the hemlock family. The Douglas fir cones are 2-4 inches long and are very lightweight, with delicate, papery scales that also have distinctive 3-pointed bracts resembling the tail and hind feet of a mouse.  The color of Douglas fir cones ranges from a gray brown to rust.

What decorations do you make with cones each holiday?