By now, all of you who venerate chocolate, have heard the dire news that we are heading for a serious cocoa shortage. Once again the sky is falling, or rather the sky is the limit, for cocoa prices. You know how that translates for us poor souls who NEED, as in a medical necessity, our regular dosage of chocolate (Yes, I am talking about you Counte). Will this lead to long “chocolate” lines, a growing black market for that precious brown powder or worse yet, institutions for those unable to emotionally cope with the dearth of this serotonin booster? Not necessarily, IF we take the requisite steps now! I am not suggesting hoarding or stockpiling as this is a temporary fix leading to eventual exhaustion of said precious product as consumed. We must take the challenge head on with lasting personal benefits. How is this possible? Our own private cocoa tree. Never again let the fluctuating and mercurial market affect your personal indulgence. Planting, cultivating and harvesting from your own cocoa tree will ensure you of a never ending supply. It’s not as difficult as you think and even if it was, isn’t it worth the effort? Really, wouldn’t you grow diamond and gold trees too if you could? With the following directions from eHow.com, you can laugh at the impending crisis and be the envy of your neighbor as you raise your cup of fresh hot cocoa. Viva le chocolat!
How to Grow a Cocoa Tree
Things You’ll Need
* cocoa tree seedling
* Garden Hoe
* Shade netting
* Peat moss
* Bagged compost
* 15-15-15 fertilizer
* Cotton swab
Most of us don’t live in tropical conditions, but never fear. These can be container grown and kept in an area that doesn’t dip below 60 degrees with a humidifier to provide appropriate tropical conditions.
1) Loosen the soil down to 12 inches, spread 4 inches of peat moss and bagged compost over the loosened soil and mix in with trowel.
2) Plant tree seedling at the same depth it was growing in the nursery container. Water until soil is thoroughly moist. Continue watering every one to two days. Always allow the soil surface to dry visibly between watering
3) Feed the tree ¼ tsp per 1 gallon of water of a 15-15-15 soluble fertilizer during the growing season. During the winter months, do not feed.
4) Hand pollinate 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 process until all flowers are pollinated.
How to Grow a Cocoa Tree
Things You’ll Need
* cocoa tree seedling
* Garden Hoe
* Shade netting
* Peat moss
* Bagged compost
* 15-15-15 fertilizer
* Cotton swab
Most of us don’t live in tropical conditions, but never fear. These can be container grown and kept in an area that doesn’t dip below 60 degrees with a humidifier to provide appropriate tropical conditions.
1) Loosen the soil down to 12 inches, spread 4 inches of peat moss and bagged compost over the loosened soil and mix in with trowel.
2) Plant tree seedling at the same depth it was growing in the nursery container. Water until soil is thoroughly moist. Continue watering every one to two days. Always allow the soil surface to dry visibly between watering
3) Feed the tree ¼ tsp per 1 gallon of water of a 15-15-15 soluble fertilizer during the growing season. During the winter months, do not feed.
4) Hand pollinate 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 process until all flowers are pollinated.
by Chewy-bacca-nista
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