The cocoa plant is neither robust nor winter-hardy. It places quite high demands on its location and the surrounding area, it is also not easy to propagate and rarely blooms outside of its homeland. Caring for them is therefore a challenge.
Is it possible to grow cocoa plants in Central Europe?
Growing cocoa plants in Central Europe is difficult because they require tropical conditions. Please note that temperatures should never fall below 20°C, high humidity (70-90%) and no direct sunlight. Cultivation is possible in heated winter gardens with sufficient shading.
Are there different types of cocoa plants?
Theobroma cacao L. Is the botanical name for the cocoa tree, which provides the basic ingredient for the almost universally popular chocolate. There are three different varieties of this tree, but they have been crossed with each other for centuries, so new cocoa plants are constantly being created. However, so-called consumer cocoa is mostly grown because it is significantly more resistant and resilient than the fine cocoa trees.
Is the cocoa plant suitable for a Central European climate?
A cocoa plant could not survive a cold winter; it is native to tropical rainforests. But this plant wouldn't survive the Central European summer well outdoors either. Because it needs temperatures that never fall below 20 °C and high humidity of at least 70 percent. However, she likes it better with up to 90 percent humidity.
How can I cultivate a cacao plant?
The cocoa plant feels most comfortable in a well-heated winter garden. However, you should ensure that the plant is adequately shaded. Although it loves warmth, it cannot tolerate direct sunlight.
Since it forms a long taproot, the cocoa plant definitely needs a sufficiently deep pot. Normal potting soil is suitable as a substrate, possibly mixed with a little sand. Regular watering and fertilizing should be a given for you.
The most important things in brief:
- basically 3 different varieties, but numerous crosses
- Home: tropical forests
- Growth height: 10 to 15 m
- evergreen
- Stem bloomers (flowers directly on the trunk and on larger branches)
- only blooms after approx. 10 years
- approx. 30 to 50 fruits per tree
- difficult to cultivate in other climate zones
- needs high humidity (70 to 90%)
- Temperature: never below 20 °C
- Sun protection required
Tip
If you want to cultivate a cocoa plant, then be sure to ensure ideal conditions. This includes temperatures of at least 20 °C and consistently high humidity of more than 70 percent
