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The Complete Guide and Care Tips for Cocoa Plant: A Funny Gardener’s Perspective
Gardening is a lot like life, sweet yet bitter. And if you’re looking to add some sweetness to your garden, then growing cocoa plant is the way to go! In this complete guide, I’ll share with you how to grow and care for cocoa plants that will yield delicious chocolate treats.
What is Cocoa Plant?
If you’re new to gardening or chocolate (I don’t know how that’s possible), then let me give you a quick rundown on what cocoa plant really is. Theobroma cacao or cocoa plant, also known as the “food of the gods,” is a tropical evergreen tree native to Central and South America. It has glossy green leaves, small flowers that grow directly from its trunk or branches, and produces large pods containing seeds used in making chocolates.
How to Grow Cocoa Plant?
Now that we’ve established what cocoa plant is let’s dive into how we can grow them on our own gardens:
- Location: Cocoas thrive in warm temperatures of about 21-32°C (70-90°F) with high humidity levels. So choose a spot in your garden where it can get some shade from direct sunlight but still gets enough light.
- Soil: Cocoas prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter like compost or manure. Make sure it has good drainage because cocoas don’t like wet feet!
- Potting: If you live in an area with cold winters, consider growing your cocoas indoors during winter months by placing them near south-facing windows where they can get plenty of sunlight. Use containers that are at least 18 inches deep and wide enough to support the tree’s roots.
- Planting: Plant cocoa seeds or seedlings in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball, gently place it in the hole, cover with soil, and water thoroughly.
Caring for Cocoa Plants
Just like any other plant, cocoas need proper care and attention to thrive:
- Water: Water your cocoa regularly but avoid overwatering. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Cocoas don’t like wet feet!
- Fertilizer: Apply a balanced fertilizer every three months during growing seasons (spring-summer).
- Pests & Diseases: Watch out for pests such as mealybugs, scale insects or mites which can damage leaves or fruits. If you see signs of infestation, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
- Pruning & Training:Cocoa plants can grow up to 20-25 feet tall if left on their own! So it’s important to prune them regularly by removing dead, diseased or damaged branches using clean pruning shears. You can also train young trees into desired shapes by bending branches while they’re still pliable.
The Sweet Rewards of Growing Cocoa Plants
If you’ve followed these tips on how to grow cocoa plants successfully then congratulations! Now comes the fun part – harvesting your very own chocolate treats!
The pods will ripen about six months after flowering depending on climate conditions. Harvest them when they turn yellowish or reddish-brown, and the seeds inside should be brown and firm. Cut them off with a sharp knife or pruning shears, crack open the pods to remove seeds, then allow them to ferment for up to a week.
Once they’re fermented, dry the beans on a flat surface under sunlight or in an oven at low temperature. Roast them when you’re ready to use them by preheating your oven at 260°F (125°C) and bake for 20-30 minutes until crisp.
The Bottom Line
Growing cocoa plants can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. With proper care and attention, you’ll soon have your own chocolate treats that are free from additives or preservatives!
You don’t have to be Willy Wonka to grow your very own chocolate factory – all it takes is some patience, love, and cocoa plants! So go ahead and give it a try today!
