Throughout the year, coffee trees pass through different growth stages, and their nutrient requirements change accordingly.
Dividing fertilizer applications into several rounds and scheduling them carefully not only supports healthy growth but also plays a decisive role in annual yields.
Coffee is a perennial crop that grows year-round but experiences distinct stages of development.
In the Central Highlands, with its clearly defined rainy and dry seasons, the tree’s nutrient needs vary across these periods.
If irrigation is plentiful during the dry months, coffee can grow almost as it does in the rainy season.
But in reality, dry-season watering usually only maintains basic survival, so the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients is very limited.
Experts advise avoiding fertilizer application during the dry season unless abundant irrigation is available.
Applying fertilizer when soil moisture is low can be harmful because the fertilizer itself needs water to dissolve and can further stress the plant.
Recommended Fertilizer Schedule
Round 1 – Early Rainy Season (April–May)
Apply fertilizer only after the first substantial rains have provided enough soil moisture.
Use a smaller share of the total fertilizer because at this stage rainfall is still limited, soil moisture is moderate, and the plants have just resumed active growth.
Heavy application now would exceed the plant’s uptake capacity and may cause stress.
Round 2 – Mid Rainy Season (June–August)
This is the main and heaviest fertilization period.
By midseason the coffee trees have a well-developed leaf canopy and root system, enabling them to absorb large amounts of nutrients for growth and to store reserves for the next stage.
Split this round into two applications spaced 2–4 weeks apart for maximum uptake.
Round 3 – Late Rainy Season (September–November)
Apply a reduced amount because the trees are entering dormancy and preparing for the dry season.
Their nutrient absorption is naturally lower.
Suggested Nutrient Ratios for the Rainy Season
(According to Prof. Dr. Phan Quoc Sủng, Vietnam Coffee Research Institute)
| Nutrient | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen (N) | 35% | 40% | 25% |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0% | 40% | 60% |
| Potassium (K) | 30% | 40% | 30% |
Each round can be further divided into 2–3 smaller applications spaced 1–2 weeks apart to ensure maximum absorption.
In the third round, nitrogen is reduced while phosphorus is increased.
Lower nitrogen discourages vigorous vegetative growth, while higher phosphorus promotes flower bud differentiation and strengthens the root system, helping the trees withstand the upcoming dry season.
These recommendations, compiled from research and expert experience, aim to help farmers manage their coffee plantations efficiently and achieve both high yields and quality beans.