Rust Fungus

Rust Fungus is a big problem in ColombiaColombian coffee is highly marketed and widely available in the US. They have been largely successful at equating the name Colombian Coffee with "Good" Coffee. This is half-true.... and beyond, found in many coffee producing countries. Known as La RoyaCastillo is a selection of the Colombia cultivar that has become the most commonly grown coffee in Colombia. It is preferred to the older resistant variety, Variedad Colombia... in the Americas, this disease diminishes fruit production and ultimately kills the plant. Combating the disease with selectively-applied fungicides, especially in seasons with heavy rains, is key to saving the coffee plants. Natural techniques to combat Roya are to prune shade trees and create more light for coffee, prune coffee to create light and air flow within and between the trees, and to keep the ground clean of affected leaves.