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Theobroma cacao
Family: Sterculiaceae
Chocolate Tree, Cacao, Cocoa Tree
Origin: Tropical America
large shrub 5-10 ft small tree 10-20 ft full sun semi-shade regular water ethnomedical edible ultra tropical, min. temp. 55F incuded in CD catalog
Varieties: Red , Yellow. Season: October-January. This beautiful tree has large dark green leaves that shade the fruit pods which grow directly from the trunk and branches. The flesh is eaten as a dessert, and the seeds are the raw material of chocolate. Hot chocolate can be made by drying the seeds, roasting, grinding, and adding milk. Chocolate beans were used as money by the Maya Indians of Central America. The red pods are larger and have more abundant flesh. Cocoa is prepared by grinding the beans into a paste between hot rollers and mixing it with sugar and starch, part of the fat being removed. Chocolate is prepared in much the same way, but the fat is retained. Oil of Theobroma or butter is a yellowish white solid, with an odor resembling that of cocoa, taste bland and agreeable; generally extracted by expression. It is used as an ingredient in cosmetic ointments and in pharmacy for coating pills and preparing suppositories. It has excellent emollient properties and is used to soften and protect chapped hands and lips. Theobromine, the alkaloid contained in the beans, resembles caffeine in its action, but its effect on the central nervous system is less powerful. Its action on muscle, the kidneys and the heart is more pronounced. It is used principally for its effect due to stimulation of the renal epithelium; it is especially useful when there is an accumulation of fluid in the body resulting from cardiac failure, when it is often given with digitalis to relieve dilatation. It is also employed in high blood pressure as it dilates the blood-vessels. It is best administered in powders or cachets. See Article about Drink of the Gods.

Link to this plant: http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/theobroma_cacao.htm

Theobroma cacao, Chocolate Tree, Cacao, Cocoa Tree

Photo by Alena Kalistratova (Ecuador)

Name	Comments
Name:rob shaver Email:robshaver@gmail.com Location:seattle Homepage:www.pacificanimation.com Zone:7a 25 Feb 2005, 9:18 AM	I have grown a variety of Theobroma Cacao plants for the past 7-8 years and Top Tropicals, without a doubt, has some of the hardiest genotypes available in North America. For those living in cooler climates without a greenhouse, you must bring your plants inside after temps drop below 50F. Wintering over can be successful by bringing inside to an area that gets at least 50% light and has a temp no lower than 55F. Using a simole drycleaner's bag over the plant to retain moisture is a very helpful way to insure shock reduction to the plant. Loosely gather the bottom of the bag and tie off with a twist tie, remisting and opening up for ventilation daily. This method has worked very well for me in the past and insures the needed humidity that Theobroma Cacao requires. If using any soil other than Top Tropicals, I would reccomend at least 1/3rd sterile sand 1/3 perolite and 1/3 good potting soil. This plant cannot tollerate being planted outdoors in the USA aside from Hawaii and Florida; even in those areas it has to be delicately cared for. It will produce flowers and possibly fruitpods after 3 or 4 years. Can be grown well in containers with a little attention and care.
Name:David Tabor Email:dtabor2@sc.rr.com Location:Lexington,SC USA Homepage: Zone:7 20 May 2006, 9:44 AM	I bought the 3 gallon Theobroma here 2 years ago and have really enjoyed growing it. During the summer I put it outdoors on my back porch which is shaded, and during the winter I keep it in my living room beside a south facing window. I keep it in a 20 gallon container and water 1 to 2 times a week. After one year it began to bloom so I assume it likes the conditions I am providing. Thanks to TopTropicals for providing healthy larger plants, as I have also tried growing small trees but seem to lose them after a few months.
Name:Brian Burchfield Email:birchbuddy1@earthlink.net Location:Fargo,N,D USA Homepage: Zone:4 16 Dec 2007, 12:12 AM	Ihave my cacao tree for 4-5 years now, asit is my favorite tree. I purchased it on a trip to Florida. It thrives outside in the summers and last summer it was covered in blossoms. I used a small camel hair brush to help pollinate but nothing ever came of it I will try again next summer. In winter a humidifier warm air sits nearby. I like the dry-cleaner bag idea. Grow lights help a lot, two florescent lamp set up a good foot or so away. I use organic fertilizer worm castings, kelp ,fish emulsion. Chemicals are a bit harsh on it's small root system.
Name:michael angel Email:michaelangelica@gmail.com Location:Australia Homepage:http://forums.permaculture.org.au/posting.php?mode=reply&f=1&t=10350 Zone:10 10 Apr 2009, 8:31 AM	Looking for seeds of Cocoa. Can you help please. Plants are to difficult to import to Australia Than you Can you send me your seed catalogue? Michael
Name:spiros Email:spiros_ath@hotmail.com Location:nicosia,cyprus Homepage: Zone: 22 May 2009, 1:32 PM	hello.i would like to find cocoa seeds for planting because the import of a cocoa plant is to dificult to cyprus!if someone can help please it would be great!!thnx
Name:nubar voskanyan Email:nubarv@sbcglobal.net Location:United States Homepage: Zone:hot 15 Nov 2009, 7:09 PM	Hi, I'm located in Los Angeles, California, USA, and i'm very interested in growing a cacao tree indoor.... Obviously I would be keeping it in a pot, but my question is: How big will the tree grow indoors while keeping it in a pot? Will it grow too big that I will be unable to keep it indoors, which it will force me to plant it outside in my yard? Thanks

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2152 Theobroma cacao
Chocolate tree, Cacao. Large developed plants.
This is very exciting plant, but it requires a great care when growing indoors. Please contact us in advance if you have any questions. Plant is shipped at customer risk. We suggest express shipping for this plant - contact us for more details

3 gal pot, 4-5 ft tall

5 Plant(s) in stock

59.95

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