My Cacao "Harvest"

[Really full garden]

These five cacao pods represent the largest crop I have had since planting small seedlings ten years ago. These fruits are a favorite item for squirrels , possums and coatis.

This is a Criollo variety that produces smaller crops and smaller pods,but of very high quality.

Growing cacao is a difficult task. The trees require bright filtered sun (high tree canopy needed), lots of water( but perfect drainage), good air circulation( with no strong winds) and warm temperatures( without extreme heat) . It is a miracle that chocolate is not even more expensive when you consider what limited areas can provide these specific growing conditions.

 

[Josue Diaz]

Those look very much like our Criollo pods. We use these to produce rootstock to graft Trinitario varieties on to. The native Criollo is very well adapted to our climate (obviously) and is relatively problem free. They are very picky plants, but once they're established they are very easy to care for. 

 

EDIT: I should say, once they're established, they're EASIER to care for. Establishing them is the tricky part for us. 

 

 

Edited December 22, 2018 by Josue Diaz

[Cindy Adair]

Congratulations both of you on your success with one of my favorite trees. 

I guess I am again appreciating the lack of cacao eating animals in Puerto Rico.

No squirrels, no possums and no coatis here.

The trees do grow better here in shade and partial sun, but surprisingly some small ones, forced into sun when I removed a clump of bananas, are doing fine too. 

Many more to plant all around when I find the right spots.

Those more climatically challenged should know I grew these to flowering size in pots in Virginia.

Thanks for the photos.

Do you plan to sprout the seeds or process them?