Growing Cacao Trees Chocolate in Florida

You can grow Cacao in Florida and other places with similar climates. This five minute video gives some important tips on growing Theobroma cacao.
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[@ravenheart229]

I grew 13 seeds to plants in just a week (on a heat mat under a grow light under a dome)--all of the seedlings survived--I live about 20 min east of Ft Myers--in just a week I have plants that are about 6 inches tall--I started putting a couple of them in my portable greenhouse on my patio which they seem to love, but temps are expected to go down to the mid 40s tonight so I will be bringing them into the garage with the rest. This is my second try at growing cacao and out of 13 seeds, I had 100% success (all 13 made it tho 2 are considered runts--lol). Great video and thanks for the tip on the type of fertilizer to use. During the cold season, do you cover your trees to protect them from frost?

[@Pepesplants]

I wrap a blanket around them and hope for the best.

[@Pepesplants]

I have a Facebook Group you can join for more specific help on growing your cacao. Here is a link. facebook.com/groups/ExtremeCoffeeandCacaoGrowers

[@jasmynesartstudio]

Can you buy these in Nurseries in South Florida?

[@Renigade16]

Thats awesome had no idea you could grow chocolate in Florida

[@jaridkeen123]

If the PH of the soil is to high put freshly used coffee grounds around the tree and it will lower the PH because coffee is acidic.

[@miamigardensnow]

Nice!!! I have my first crop of pods on my tree. Growing it right here in Miami Gardens, along with my cashew trees.

[@Pepesplants]

That's great. Let me know how your harvest turns out. Check out our group on FaceBook Extreme coffee and Cacao Growers. Take care.

[@potoker2296]

No see ums are all over central florida in volusia or ocala.

[@DailyOrganics]

Very good info thank you

[@Pepesplants]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ingarrajoey]

A lot of great information!

[@mrcouchskechers779]

I've always been amazed by nature and I've always had love for plants my father would teach me how to plant but you really motivated me to grow I have a pecan tree i know it's not that exciting but I would love to know how to plant cacao but I don't know how to get started

[@Pepesplants]

Go to your local farmers market. See if they have Cacao pods. Extract seeds and plant right away. You can get pods on Ebay sometimes from Puerto Rico. You need at least a subtropical climate or a greenhouse. All the best. Happy growing. That pecan tree sounds like a great project too. You can teach me about pecan growing real soon. :-)

[@mrcouchskechers779]

@@Pepesplants thank you for sharing information on how to get started I appreciate it

[@Pepesplants]

Let me know when you get seeds and I will answer your questions. Also I have a few videos here in the playlist on growing cacao. "-)

[@mrcouchskechers779]

@@Pepesplants i already clicked the playlist before you even mentioned it boss I have left over money I'm going to see if I can find some tommorow

[@JoeyyBagz42]

Thank you for the video very helpful

[@nickh2053]

Curious how you can weather the storms that inevitably strike south Florida?

[@Pepesplants]

Lucky so far but they do get torn up pretty bad in tropical storms. I think they will bounce back much better from storms than from freezing. It does drop down a few times a year to 33 degrees F in my area. We pull out heaters and or cover them with blankets as a precaution when it gets that scary cold.

[@TaLeng2023]

I think they handle those well enough. I live in the Philippines and I don't hear a lot of cacao farmers complaining from being absolutely wrecked by typhoons.

[@sunshinecarnivores1919]

I live in North Florida about an hour from the Florida/Georgia border. These won't survive without protection in winter. Nothing crazy but it gets into the 20's at night during the winter.

[@Pepesplants]

You would need a greenhouse for sure. Join our group> facebook.com/groups/ExtremeCoffeeandCacaoGrowers

[@hananokuni2580]

North Florida might not be the best place for cacao trees, but at least in parts with soils that aren't calcareous it is good for _Camellia sinensis,_ the shrub that provides the leaves for green tea and black tea. You might want to consider making your own green tea leaf and selling it in small batches.

[@RG-nw6kr]

Can't you start growing it in a controlled environment. I was thinking about building a partial green house w/raised beds for planting trees and then eventually moving them

[@Pepesplants]

Yes, visit our group on Facebook and learn more: facebook.com/groups/ExtremeCoffeeandCacaoGrowers

[@Maatson_]

I live in Tampa but can’t find any thing on growing cocoa here. Is it possible I know we are zone 9/10 and ft Myers is zone 11

[@Pepesplants]

Come visit our group and learn more... facebook.com/groups/ExtremeCoffeeandCacaoGrowers/

[@sisiohp2501]

I have some but I’m in the uk some of them are growing really slowly and sometimes when the new leaf is growing they die and drop of as baby ones

[@Pepesplants]

Warmth and humidity or they dry out fast. USe good well drained potting soil with some 30% peat and topsoil with pine bark shavings as a mulch. Good luck.

[@sisiohp2501]

Pepe's Fruit Trees okay thank u I have a humidifier and I do mist them

[@EverythingMicka]

Can I use azalea fertilizer on this tree. If not what would you recommend?

[@Pepesplants]

Yes, look for an organic one.

[@jamestropicals8262]

What’s the lowest temperature a cacao tree could take?

[@hananokuni2580]

Cacao trees are very much tropical rainforest trees, so 70°F is as low as they can go without getting killed. In South Florida cacao trees should be kept behind a north-facing and a west-facing windbreak to keep cold winds away. As well, keep it partially shaded to reduce sunburn; in SoFla the sun is _very_ strong.

[@CUCHIE68]

Good day, we live in E.Ft. Myers, (zone 9B). We have purchased a Cocao tree & planted on the east side of our house having morning Sunrise with our lanai slightly giving some shade to the afternoon sun. How often should I water, my plant & also why would my leaves be falling off? I have new leaf growth, should I transplant it? I would appreciate you assistance, thank you. Maria.

[@Pepesplants]

It is important to protect the tree from wind. Also watering depends on the soil and the drainage etc. I have a Facebook Group you can join for more specific help on growing your cacao. Here is a link. facebook.com/groups/ExtremeCoffeeandCacaoGrowers/

[@ivanochoa7157]

Could I grow this in San Diego ca zone 10b? Thanks

[@Pepesplants]

You can bring indoors in winter. Join our group on Facebook and learn more: facebook.com/groups/ExtremeCoffeeandCacaoGrowers/

[@cijoykjose]

We here have plenty of them. Many beans are getting wasted(our country is not much interested in producing them as farmers cooperation) . Many are taken away by squirrels . From last month i started drying them .. those are money . 😁

[@scottk7613]

So, I can't grow cocoa beans unless I have a second tree? That sucks. Can I grow two trees in one spot, to grow as one tree, would that bet good to pollinate. I'm thinking about getting maybe 2 one foot Trinitario trees, but, I don't have alot of room for two trees. How long will a foot tall tree take to grow beans? Thanks

[@Pepesplants]

Three years if you get lucky. Use two separate pots. I have one tree that appears to have pollen that is self compatible. Cross pollination is more common thats why two trees is best.

[@maxpowers3732]

What causes the cocoa pods to turn black like you see at 4:49? I'm hand pollinating mine and almost all of them either start turning black on top or turn yellow then black. Otherwise the trees look very healthy.

[@Pepesplants]

1 out of 100 flowers might set pods. That is normal. The tree has to produce thousands of flowers to get a few pods to reach maturity. As the tree ages it will improve but still many pods fail to mature. If your pods grow in size and then turn black that is related to diseases.

[@maxpowers3732]

@@Pepesplants What kind of disease? Could I send you pictures of the pods? I'm painstakingly hand pollinating the flowers, which makes it even more frustrating when they go bad. They usually start to change after a few days up to a month or so. None of them have made it anywhere near full size.

[@brianpang5128]

Hello pepe, is there anywhere I can get the cacao pods? Do you sell them locally? Or do I have to go to a special farmers market?

[@ivetteacosta8771]

If you were here in South Florida you could try those stores called Bravo. I’ve been able to find them there. Good luck hope you find them soon

[@RLScheurman]

can i grow cacao in north fl? liveoak area...

[@Pepesplants]

Grow in containers and move inside if temperatures hit 50 degree. Look for our group on Facebook. Extreme Coffee and Cacao Growers. Thanks for visiting my channel.

[@edenhomestead5382]

Hi Jason, Can Cacao be air layered?... I picked up a young tree, and it was so thin , that the leaves were damaged, and wind desiccated it, and it died. I'd love another shot at this, but would want to get a more established tree. Great videos by the way! :)

[@Pepesplants]

Not sure of your location. Might be challenging because they are cold sensitive. With some planing and by creating a microclimate it can be grown. I have not tried an airlayer yet. Pretty sure it will work. They are grafted often by variois methods. Thanks for visiting. One day I have to come to your farm and say hello. Peace friend. :-)

[@edenhomestead5382]

Pepe's Fruit Trees we’re in Vero Beach

[@Pepesplants]

@@edenhomestead5382 Ok. Thats not to far. I can come say hello. Bring you a nice cacao tree as a gift. Talk soon. Peace.

[@edenhomestead5382]

Sounds Great!

[@jasmynesartstudio]

Can you buy these in a nursey in Miami?

[@Pepesplants]

Maybe.

[@joaoaercio]

Which City?? Friend

[@Pepesplants]

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

[@shlynea21]

Do you sell starts in SWFL?

[@Pepesplants]

Yes, in early spring we will.

[@conniegant7781]

Would it grow in Central Florida?

[@Pepesplants]

Container grown in a green house during winter with temperature control. I have several 3 year old trees in 25 gal pots. They are producing beautiful pods.

[@conniegant7781]

Pepe's Fruit Trees Thank you very much. I’m going to try and order a tree or two. Have you tried growing vanilla orchids?

[@ShutUpAndPlayIt]

so the only way pods will grow is if they get pollinated?

[@Pepesplants]

Absolutely.

[@dougderouen1902]

You should apply Vital Humic™ Hydro Bio