Description
Coffea arabica ‘IHCAFE 90’ is a productive Arabica coffee cultivar developed in Honduras by the Instituto Hondureño del Café (IHCAFE). It is recognized for its strong vigor, high yield potential, and notable resistance to coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix). The plant forms a medium-sized, evergreen shrub typically reaching 2 to 4 meters in height, with robust branching and glossy, dark green foliage.
It produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers followed by green cherries that ripen to bright red. The beans are valued for their good cup quality, generally offering a balanced profile with moderate acidity, pleasant body, and consistent flavor, making it suitable for both commercial and specialty production.
This cultivar performs best in warm, humid tropical climates, particularly at mid-elevations. It prefers partial shade, fertile, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture throughout the growing cycle. Its improved disease resistance and adaptability make it a reliable choice for a range of coffee-growing conditions.
Germination Guide
🌍 Honduras
Moderate
IHCAFE 90 is a Catimor hybrid developed by the Honduran Coffee Institute (IHCAFE), combining Timor and Caturra genetics for disease resistance and productivity. Germination is slow but reliable, typically requiring 30-70 days under proper moist, warm conditions. This variety requires patience and consistent moisture management during the critical germination phase.
Germination
Germination time
Expect germination in
30 – 70 days
Temperature
Min 20°C
Ideal 25°C
Max 30°C
🌡️ Temperature alternation recommended
— Alternating day temperatures (27-30°C) and night temperatures (20-22°C) aid germination and increase speed of emergence
Substrate moisture
💧 Medium
Sowing depth
Lightly covered
Seed Pre-treatment
-
💧
Soaking — 48 hours
Soak seeds in warm water for 48 hours before sowing to improve germination
-
📋
Additional notes
Remove parchment hull if possible; freshness of seed is critical as viability decreases rapidly after harvest
Substrate & Container
Recommended substrate
Sandy loam or 50% sand with 50% forest soil/organic matter; well-draining substrate essential
Recommended container
Seedbed boxes 20 cm deep, raised beds, or individual plastic bags/pots
Growing Tips
Use fresh seeds from fully ripe cherries harvested within 3-4 months of planting for optimal viability. Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging to prevent damping-off disease. Provide 50-70% shade after emergence. Use plastic tunnels or humidity domes in cold climates to accelerate germination. Monitor soil temperature closely—bottom heat (27-30°C) significantly speeds germination. Avoid drying seeds below 15% moisture content as this greatly reduces viability. Place seeds with flat side down, curved side up.
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