Theobroma cacao seed germination
Syn. Bontia germinans, Avicenna nitida, Avicenna tomentosa, Avicennia africana

If you ordered a pod

 

A pod contains 20-30 cocoa beans. to open it, just tap it sharply on the ground, or cut it with a knife if you want to make a decoration with the dried pod.

 

Once the pod is opened, the cocoa nibs do not keep for long. Plant them directly or soak them and change the water daily until they germinate.

 

 

If you ordered seeds

 

The seeds will have germinated in the husk.

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Sowing tips

 

Use a professional multiplication substrate with a little sand and deep pots (rose pots, cut water bottle, etc.). You can add 10% powdered charcoal for its fungicidal properties.

Plant seeds upright, point up , partially buried. They will then come out of the ground on their own.

Water until the substrate is saturated with quality water (rain, reverse osmosis, spring or demineralised).

Place them sheltered from the wind and the sun to prevent the leaves from drying out (you can also place them in a mini-greenhouse).

The temperature should be between 25 and 30°C .

During the early stages of its development, the young cocoa tree needs relatively dense shade, leaving only 25% to 50% of the total light. The reduction in shading must then be gradual up to 70%.

Spray from time to time with quality water to maintain good ambient humidity, if necessary.

Repot in a draining and rich mixture (1/2 Earth, 1/2 Compost with a little sand) when the roots reach the bottom of the pot (plant in the ground). This promotes the development of the taproot and avoids chignonnage.  

 

For advice on maintenance and cultivation, go to the sheet Theobroma cacao .

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