Growing Chocolate Trees in Florida - Germinating Cacao seeds - How to plant cacao seeds

How to Grow a Cacao tree from seed. Grow your own chocolate Tree for harvesting cacao pods.
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Germinating Cacao seeds | How to plant cacao seeds | How to Grow a Chocolate Tree | Plant

[@yolo7207]

Met with Pepe today. Wow, he is a wealth of knowledge. I finally feel confident my project is in the right direction. I couldn't do it without him. Thank you Pepe

[@Pepesplants]

Yolo7 My pleasure. It's going to be an awesome grove and edible food forest. Talk soon. Thanks for reaching out and for your nice comment.

[@estefanireynoso8099]

i feel like i will get a a+

[@Beyondthelenzz]

Good job! I just came back from St.Lucia and I have a few seeds with me. I am going to shoot some content on the process as well

[@Pepesplants]

Thanks keep us posted. Take care.

[@tohopes]

Thanks Pepe. I just realized I'd planted my cacao seeds upside down!

[@Pepesplants]

Yikes, how long ago did you plant them?

[@tomasbaran985]

I should have seen this video a year ago :) My first planting was unsuccessful due to not knowing that the thin white layer should have been removed in the first place. I had to order to seeds again to do it the correct way. Thumbs up. Great vid, Pepe!

[@biancam8565]

Where can you order seeds??

[@mayoffnaise5141]

Got a refigreated one due to living in Turkey, many of them had roots as you described and some were cracked (some had little cracks and were rooting) the white parts were more solid but the dark brown parts came easily. Without your video though, could have not figured it all. Wish me good luck Pepe and many thanks for this wonderful input.

[@Pepesplants]

My pleasure. If you use Facebook. Find our group Extreme Coffee and Cacao Growers

[@jazielwins7246]

So I'm thinking of moving to florida from New Jersey for this exact reason!!! I want to grow an exotic food forest. Would love to meet when I go out there on vacation!!!

[@ReddHott22]

This was great. Thanks so much. Just what I was looking for ....simple no fluff clear instructions. I'm a Canadian girl living here and in love with all the tropical yummies and finally got my hands on a fresh cacao fruit I picked up at the Vegan festival on Sat. It's from Miami fruit. It was expensive so I really want to make the most of this. Eat it .... Plant a couple of seeds and roast the rest for smoothies etc. To be honest I've never planted anything in my life 😂😂😂😂😂🤷🏾‍♀️. But I really want to see if I can do this lol. I see you laughing lol. So I think I will wait a CPL more days to ripen ?? Lol and then eat and plant etc. I'm grabbing a few cups of soil from my in-laws and I have a terracotta pot. Not too small maybe 6 inches high. I will follow your instructions. I will be so happy if I make this work. I only have a tiny backyard so I will keep it indoors til I see it come up out of the soil then maybe get a table and put it out in the back. Sorry for my long-winded ness lol. Imma watch some more of your cacao vids if there are any lol. Thanks again.

[@Pepesplants]

Love the enthusiasm! LOL :-) Thanks for your comments and for visiting the channel.

[@MichaelVanecekAuthor]

I've had a couple of pods shipped to me from Puerto Rico to Texas and they survived just fine. Seed cluster came out whole. These were Criollo seeds - pure white cotyledons. Also had a Forastero pod shipped to me from Florida - their resulting trees are currently flowering but I haven't taken the time to pollinate any of the flowers. I typically soak my seeds, agitating vigorously multiple times a day and changing the water frequently. The mucilage softens and is easier to wash off. My germination rate is pretty much 100%. I usually plant into a mixture of peat/perlite (unfortified) at a 1:1 ratio. I experience very few dead-outs thanks to this. These seedlings get potted up into 18" tree-pots with richer potting soil to encourage their taproot. And those can be potted up into larger containers.

[@Pepesplants]

Excellent. Thanks for sharing your method. Keep in touch. Happy growing.

[@PEPevents007]

Thanks for a good and educational video. It would have been great to have seen the sprouting beans at the end of the video :-)

[@Pepesplants]

Great suggestion! More videos soon that will show them sprouted. I have some Trinitario on the way .

[@barrycartwright8400]

i bought some seeds last year but they never germinated but next time i will buy a pod instead

[@xenu-dark-tony]

Can you imagine living in a tropical area where things like this grow outside? It's such a challenge here in southern England. I'd like to grow things like Typhonodorum Lindleyanum, all sorts of aroids and bananas and of course the beautiful Philodenrums.

[@Pepesplants]

You should join our Facebook Group if you have Facebook. facebook.com/groups/ExtremeCoffeeandCacaoGrowers

[@Nina-2311]

Never seen your videos before and now I'm a bit obsessed lol. I wonder if we got nice farmer markets in the Orlando area the one from Maria

[@randalljohnson5594]

Thanks for sharing

[@Pepesplants]

My pleasure

[@raineeplancer9952]

Hi can teach us on how to make homemade chocolate

[@Pepesplants]

Maybe on of these days. LOL. :-)

[@precievy5752]

Excellent video. Great detail. Will try one of your techniques right now thanks!

[@xenu-dark-tony]

I have murdered a lot of cacao seeds by being too kind with moisture. Here in the UK I have found that a mix of dry grit and perlite with just a hint of moisture at the bottom is sufficient. DON'T water them until thay are well on their way, with a decent set of leaves. If you remember that these seeds sit on the ground and send their root off out to burrow down looking for moisture. They rarely have the good fortune of falling into moist compost, so they are happy to work for a living. If you water your plant, make sure there's a lot of fungicide in the water, or your seed will definitely rot.

[@jessicanyirinkwaya7360]

Hi Pepe, (I love your channel) I want to grow Cacao in Africa (East Africa - Rwanda to be more precise) but I don’t know which seeds I should purchase according to the land, what are the names of the different trees, and where I should purchase the seeds from? And of course the full process of growing a cacao tree? 😅 The land is not dry, it rains a lot, it is a small forest and it’s close to a body of water......Any advice?

[@Pepesplants]

Thanks for your nice comments. Seeds may be available from a local university agricultural office. Not sure how to get the pods to Africa. All the best of luck. You can do it! 😉

[@Ratigan2]

I love your commentary :P

[@thcottquistafoi1597]

I peel cacao seeds as I eat them with my teeth. We have them in my university so I just snack on them

[@AnnSxntos]

thank you so much for this very informative guide! i just have one last question. can you describe a little more in detail what kind of potting soil mix would be good for the seeds? i’ve read something about cacao seeds hating too much acidity. thank you so much in advance! ♡

[@Pepesplants]

Try metro mix, promix or any other top quality potting mix. They prefer to be around a pH of 6. Too much moisture will kill the seeds in the soil especially when temperatures are below 55 degrees F. Thanks for visiting my channel. "-)

[@AnnSxntos]

Pepe's Fruit Trees thank you 💜

[@jamestropicals8262]

It took me an hour to peel at least 40 seeds

[@Pepesplants]

I have an easier method that I will share on a video soon. By your effort of taking the time to peel them you actually learned a lot about those seeds. I think you will like the new method I use.

[@myrnacanama3997]

Sun drying allowed , after the slippery part is removed using a towel ?

[@DoloresSaversManagementOrgDSMO]

nice. will other related videos.

[@DoloresSaversManagementOrgDSMO]

see

[@migoamigo9791]

Great !

[@boomborgoyari5781]

I already have cacao saplings. Can you give some instructions as to how i can have them grow healthy and produce decent cacao pods.

[@Pepesplants]

Sure. More videos soon. Thanks.

[@kevinsleigh9533]

My coco plant is 2 foot high. about one inch in diameter. I just transplanted it into a large plastic tub and moved it to its new home. I spent a ton of money to build it’s own greenhouse. I have two nice grow lights. A propane pilot light as a heater. I went away for work and the person I had watching my green house failed me. When I came back I noticed I lost about 60 percent of my leaves. I since bought a fan that turns on when the heat gets to hot. What’s the chances my plant will survive?

[@Pepesplants]

Post pictures on the following group for help. facebook.com/groups/ExtremeCoffeeandCacaoGrowers

[@badooral-holibi2281]

I can plant chocolate tree in larger pot ??! what best type can hold heat ?!! because I live the city the heat in summer 40 and the moist every high and in the winter 10 and I ready plan the place sami direct to the sun ...you a good place??! Which you recommend from me 😍 ! what the best type ?!!

[@Pepesplants]

They will grow better with some filtered light. Full sun can be very stressfull. You will need more water and fertilizer in full sun. Containers are good for cacao trees. You should have more than one tree so when it begins to flower it can be cross pollinated. Good luck.

[@dirtysouth9205]

How do you get the noseeums to come? I have only seen them at the beach. I'm in Miami

[@Pepesplants]

Actually we must have them but I never get bitten by them so it could be ants pollinating the trees. On the West Coast of Florida the no see ums are fierce and bite too. Lots of leaves left at the base of the trees maintains moisture and attracts them. Also if you grow bananas chop up and spread the trunks all around also.

[@adelchidipalma9857]

do seeds need to be fresh, will older seed germinate? is it best to place them in water first? thanks

[@ScoopDogg]

Is it Coco or Cacao? great channel subbed n liked : ) Going to try grow these in Sunny Yorkshire

[@Pepesplants]

Hey Scoop. Check us out at facebook.com/groups/ExtremeCoffeeandCacaoGrowers/ Thanks for liking us and the subscribing. :-)

[@boomborgoyari5781]

Widely known as Cacao

[@boomborgoyari5781]

Cacao is usually grown in the shade, below of a large tree.. too much sun exposure is not good. Best to plant right before rainy season starts.

[@vhugalanetshiongolwe1297]

Hi Mr Pepe I'm vhugala from south africa and I been trying to get hold of the cacao seeds however, I have no luck. So I what to know do you know how I get so seeds and how. I would really appreciate the help thanx.

[@annie666]

thank you for sharing :) i got my hands on two pods and with one of the pods i cleaned off thr white flesh and put them in a container with wet kitchen wipes like you mentioned and left it in a shaded area, they’ve started to grow a white root like thing, abt quarter of an inch (im not sure if its roots or sprout), should i move them to a place with more sunlight and let them grow abit longer? or just plant them in soil? thanks again!

[@Pepesplants]

Sorry just noticed you question. Plant them asap and keep the soil moist and warm. The seeds rot if too cold and wet.

[@purplequeen9857]

I don’t understand why pods have to be “fresh”? Seeds in the wild get eaten and pass through a digestive tract and still grow.

[@Pepesplants]

True but they pass thru the digestive system quickly and with the added bonus of organic fertilizer! LOL. Thanks for watching the video and your commnet. Happy growing.

[@lynnpeck3298]

Hey Pete Yellow Green Farmers Market is on the East Coast do you know anybody on the West Coast? Thanks

[@Pepesplants]

I don't go to the YGFM. I sell only from my website. Thanks.

[@lynnpeck3298]

Hey Pete are you going to plant the cacao trees in the ground and how big do the roots get I just worry they would travel towards the septic.

[@Pepesplants]

I have two in the ground, Roots don't seem to be a big deal. They do good in pots also. I have one fruiting in a 25 gal pot.

[@tiffanymolina1285]

Hey Pepe, I have the worst luck with cacao. It is the only plant that constantly grows mold when I try to grow it. They root, but a mold always gets them and rots the root. I’ve never had issue with any other plant like this. How come you don’t have this issue? I also buy my cacao from Maria Corona

[@Pepesplants]

Ask Maria if the pods are refrigerated. That could be the issue. Best with a fresh pod and all seeds cleaned and planted in moist well drained soil. Wet poor drained soil will kill them fast even if the seed sprouts.

[@thekidsta1]

Is it normal for a few tips on my leaves to start turning brown? My plant isnt in direct sunlight. Its been really hot tho. Thanks

[@Pepesplants]

Yes, make sure to keep them well watered. The heat can really stress them out. How is the relative humidity in the air?

[@thekidsta1]

@@Pepesplants Thanks for the reply. Im near Homestead Florida. Its been really hot and humid here.

[@myrnacanama3997]

Can’t you use towel to remove the slippery part dun & dry it later?

[@Pepesplants]

Maybe, but I like doing it this way. I get 90 plus percent germination. Don't always have extra pods available to experiment. Maybe in a future video will try the towel method. Not sure what you mean about letting them dry later.

[@GTEFamily]

I started growing it from seed. And the 1st wave got rotted by these microscopic bugs. I just planted my new seeds & what pesticide do you recommend to prevent these microscopic bugs from eating the beans away to the point of rotting. Also what causes webbing on the beans. Please advise

[@Pepesplants]

Cool damp weather rots the seeds. You don't need a pesticide. Use a good draining soil and keep moist not too wet. Also don't plant the seeds to deep. Not sure about webbing. Never seen that issue.

[@ckj324]

Just acquired a pod today. Thanks I will try this. Also just curious, what is the name of the plant to your right in the green planter? Someone gave one to me but didn’t know it’s name.

[@Pepesplants]

A cell phone plant. LOL :-)

[@ckj324]

@@Pepesplants Ha! Ok I’m sorry I should have been more specific.......the plant in the aqua blue pot that is next to the “ cell phone plant” . Thanks

[@raineeplancer9952]

How long does it take to grow caca tree from seed

[@Pepesplants]

A seed germinates within about 10-17 days on average. A mature fruit bearing tree around three years. Cacao tree not a CACA Tree LOL...

[@albertmerlew]

did your wife ever find out you used those?

[@Pepesplants]

She was not thrilled. I do it all the time. :-)

[@nillerpenton8015]

how many time from seeds have cacao tree for get fruits?????

[@Pepesplants]

Three to 5 years. You need two or more trees for cross pollination.

[@yajustgotaloveit]

I got the fruit from a tree that is similar to the Cacao Tree, but the fruit is white not red. The leaves of the tree are a variegated white-green. Would you know what tree this is I am describing? I tried googling, but could not find it. Thanks.

[@Pepesplants]

Theobroma bicolor aka: Macambo White cacao

[@athosathanasiou1356]

Sooooo how can i get a coco pod i live in cyprus in the mediteranian

[@Pepesplants]

Not sure. Many restrictions on shipping internationally. Try Montoso Gardens in Puerto Rico. Good luck.

[@nillerpenton8015]

pepe do you know about tamarind tree??? , im looking for information and i dont find too much ????

[@Pepesplants]

That should be easy to find here (S. Florida) in most nurseries. Two kinds sweet and Tart.

[@ttislandgirl3260]

That is tree famous in my country 🇹🇹

[@zamfrostfoods6071]

We have plenty of wild Tamarind in Zambia.

[@kudzaichikuku4653]

Its very easy to plant that tree. First they come out resembling tomato plants. Grows fairly well without much attention

[@Mariolio7]

Do you have to prune these at all?

[@Pepesplants]

Cacao trees should be pruned yes. Keep them around 7 foot max. You want an open center and remove suckers that sprout at the base. I will do a pruning video soon. Thanks for participating.

[@montepetersen7319]

I got the fruit from a tree that looks similar to a Cacao Tree, but the fruit is white, and the leaves are a variegated green and white, so I tried googling to no avail, would you know what tree this is I am describing? I know the Cacao Trees have red fruits. Thanks

[@Pepesplants]

Sounds like you have Theobroma bicolor aka Macambo.

[@alphawolfdoggo354]

I live in Kentucky, is there any way I do grow them in the area where I live?

[@Pepesplants]

That would be possible with a green house. Way to cold. You could grow as a houseplant but unlikely to fruit. Also needs good humidity. Move to Florida. LOL.

[@magicaladventureslive3377]

What brand of potting soil would you recommend?

[@Pepesplants]

I use Promix. You can use any brand of quality potting soil. Make sure it is not heavy soil. Thanks for visiting my channel. :-)

[@emilioeperiam6107]

Can the locally wild grown Cocoa be converted into Cocoa Farm

[@Pepesplants]

Locally grown? What species.

[@aboutaljon]

Did it all grow?

[@lacikulcsar9284]

Is it possible to grow a cacao tree in a greenhouse?

[@Pepesplants]

Yes of course.

[@Knowledge24x]

When we grow it from seed, how long does it take to give fruit

[@Pepesplants]

Could be 3-4 years on average. That has been my experience. Cross pollination is important plant at least two trees.

[@Knowledge24x]

@@Pepesplants thanks

[@sergis3521]

can i plant these all over the world?? im in greece btw. Is it possible??

[@Pepesplants]

Sure if you can create and maintain a Subtropical climate. Greenhouse maybe in containers.

[@ChiicooSuavee]

Would this process be similar to a ice cream bean?

[@Pepesplants]

Yes, but seeds are easier to clean and don't break easily like cacao.

[@lazylizzie5161]

Ice cream bean can break Into small pieces and grow from those small pieces I've learned. I got some seeds and cocoa saplings. Waiting for some coco seedz

[@itsfoxx4756]

I’m Canadian eh, can I still grow this in Ontario?

[@Pepesplants]

You will need a greenhouse.

[@jepoy3223]

New friend lodi,m8 ... . Ganyan din me ,tulungan t u ..... .... ,,, ,,,

[@jfimperio7817]

I know a better way. I have seeds here just got open and ready to plant

[@fairisfair2986]

I thought it was ilegal.to have those here

[@benwaballs8800]

here's the funny thing, in nature this is not how this works, there is no chocolate God reaching down and picking the seeds from the slime, just saying, I think we get to caught up in how to do things!!!

[@Pepesplants]

I once took the seeds uncleaned and tossed them in a pot covered with dirt and they all died. So I did it again three more times and not one germinated. For the purposes of propagation efficiency the hand of man is needed along with knowledge.

[@josephinedorion1450]

@@Pepesplants .......i cleaned the seeds, took them outside in the sun for a few days.......eeeeuuuu.........my bad. i'll still try to germinate them,

[@Pepesplants]

@@josephinedorion1450 Soak them in water to rehydrate them. Maybe they will sprout. 24 hour soak in bowl of water. Plant them see what happens in 2 - 3 weeks. Good luck.

[@joem2745]

Genesis 3:17-19 17And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

[@candykatkittylichiousisthebomb]

I bet animals eat the outside off and spit/poop the seed out