Growing cocoa at home: pot and soil
Cocoa is a plant native to tropical America that is grown mainly for the production of chocolate. It is a crop that requires certain specific conditions to grow optimally, so it is important to follow some steps to grow cocoa at home whether in a pot or in the ground.
First of all, it is important to know that cocoa prefers warm and humid climates, with an average temperature of 25-30 degrees Celsius. Therefore, if you live in an area with these characteristics, you will be able to successfully grow cocoa in your home.
Growing cocoa at home: in a pot at home
To grow cocoa in a pot, you will need a large pot with good drainage, as cocoa prefers moist but well-drained soil. Fill the pot with nutrient-rich soil, such as leaf soil or compost, and if possible, add perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage. Plant the cocoa seed about 5cm deep and water it regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
Teas, Cocoa and Coffee: Plant Secondary Metabolites and Health
Growing cocoa at home: in the field
If you prefer to grow cocoa in the field, you will need to prepare the soil in the same way, making sure it is rich in nutrients and has good drainage. Plant the seeds at a distance of at least 2 meters between each plant, since cocoa needs space to grow and develop properly.
Cocoa also needs a lot of sunlight to grow, so it is important to place the plants in a place where they will receive direct light for several hours a day. If you grow cocoa in a pot, you can move it to a sunnier location if necessary.
Furthermore, cocoa is a plant that requires high environmental humidity, so it is important to keep it hydrated at all times. Water plants regularly, especially during dry periods, but avoid letting water stagnate in the soil.
Cacao also needs regular fertilization to grow and produce fruit optimally. You can use a slow-release organic fertilizer to feed the plants, or you can also add compost or compost to the soil on a regular basis.
Another important aspect to take into account when growing cocoa is the pollination of the flowers. Cacao produces small white or pink flowers that need to be pollinated for fruits to form. If you grow cocoa in a pot, you can gently shake the plants to help pollination, or you can also use a paintbrush to transfer pollen from one flower to another.
Conclusions
As we have seen, growing cocoa at home, whether in a pot or in the field, requires certain specific care such as a good amount of sunlight, environmental humidity, regular irrigation and adequate fertilization. By following these steps, you will be able to enjoy your own cocoa at home and maybe even make your own homemade chocolate.
Theobroma Cacao, Or Cocoa: Its Botany, Cultivation, Chemistry And Diseases
Here you can read more about History of cocoa.