- Are there different varieties of cocoa plants?
- Is the cocoa plant suitable for the Central European climate?
- How can I cultivate a cacao plant?
The cocoa plant is neither robust nor hardy. It makes very high demands on its location and the environment, it is also not easy to propagate and rarely flowers outside of its homeland. So caring for them is a challenge.
Cocoa plants do not bear any fruit here
Are there different varieties of cocoa plants?
Theobroma cacao L. Is the botanical name for the cacao tree, which provides the basic ingredient for the chocolate that is popular almost everywhere. There are three different varieties of this tree, but they have been crossed with each other for centuries, so that new new cocoa plants are created again and again. In most cases, however, the so-called consumer cocoa is grown because it is significantly more resistant and resilient than the fine flavor cocoa trees.
Is the cocoa plant suitable for the Central European climate?
A cocoa plant could not survive a cold winter, it is native to the tropical rain forests. But this plant would not survive the Central European summer outdoors either. Because it needs temperatures that never fall below 20 °C and high humidity of at least 70 percent. However, she likes it better at up to 90 percent humidity.
How can I cultivate a cacao plant?
The cocoa plant feels most comfortable in a well-heated conservatory. Here, however, you should ensure that the plant is adequately shaded. Because although she loves the warmth, she does not tolerate direct sunlight.
Since it forms a long taproot, the cocoa plant needs a sufficiently deep pot. Normal potting soil is suitable as a substrate, possibly mixed with some sand. Regular watering and fertilizing should be a matter of course for you.
The essentials in brief:
- basically 3 different varieties, but numerous crossings
- Homeland: tropical forests
- Growth height: 10 to 15 m
- evergreen
- Stem bloomers (flowers directly on the trunk and on larger branches)
- flowers only after approx. 10 years
- approx. 30 to 50 fruits per tree
- difficult to cultivate in other climates
- needs high humidity (70 to 90%)
- Temperature: never below 20 °C
- Sun protection required
tips
If you want to cultivate a cocoa plant, then make sure you provide ideal conditions. This includes temperatures of always at least 20 °C and consistently high humidity of more than 70 percent