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How to Grow a Cocoa Tree
How to Grow a Cocoa Tree. The cocoa tree is native to tropical climates, such as those found in the Amazon basin near the equator. Cocoa trees produce clusters of pods referred to as cocoa beans. These cocoa beans are harvested, roasted and sweetened to give us chocolate. Gardeners growing cocoa trees at home must take special care to give the tree...
The cocoa tree is native to tropical climates, such as those found in the Amazon basin near the equator. Cocoa trees produce clusters of pods referred to as cocoa beans. These cocoa beans are harvested, roasted and sweetened to give us chocolate. Gardeners growing cocoa trees at home must take special care to give the tree a suitable tropical environment. Cocoa may grow outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 10 and above; in other areas, grow it in a container.
Things You'll Need
Cocoa tree seedling
Garden hoe
Shade netting
Peat moss
Bagged compost
15-15-15 fertilizer
Cotton swab
Loosen the soil down to 12 inches with a garden hoe in an area receiving partial to full sun. Cocoa trees grow in the lower canopy of larger trees that provide natural shade. If trees aren't available use shade netting instead above the cocoa plant.
Spread 4 inches of peat moss and bagged compost over the loosened soil. Mix the peat moss and compost into the soil with a shovel to help promote better drainage and add essential nutrients to the planting site.
Plant the cocoa tree seedling in the prepared planting site at the same depth it was growing in its nursery container. Water the cocoa tree seedling until the soil is thoroughly moist. Continue watering the cocoa tree every one or two days. Always allow the soil surface to dry visibly between waterings.
Feed the cocoa tree 1/4 tsp. per 1 gallon of water of a 15-15-15 soluble fertilizer during the growing season. Read the fertilizer instructions for complete application rates. During the winter months, do not feed the cocoa tree.
Hand-pollinate the cocoa tree if there are no insects to do the job for you. Cocoa trees will flower and produce seeds once they are 3 to 5 years old, 4 to 6 feet tall and develop multiple leaders. Touch a cotton swab to the cocoa flower's yellow anthers. Move to the next cocoa flower and touch the tip of the cotton swab to the flower's white stigma. Continue this process until all the cocoa flowers are pollinated.
Tips & Warnings
Keep container-grown cocoa trees in an area that doesn't dip below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintain high humidity in the growing area; if you're growing it in a greenhouse, use a humidifier to provide appropriate tropical conditions.
Do not prune away any woody branches until after your tree produces fruit, because flowers and seeds are produced on woody plant parts.
