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Post by sharkman on Jan 28, 2007 0:26:06 GMT -5
In response to a members inquiry as to how long it takes for a cacao tree to produce usable pods; here's my experience here in Hawaii. It has taken about 2-21\2 years to get usable pods. Some trees are a bit quicker and some longer. My trees at 4-5 years are putting out about 20 -40 pods\tree per year. The trees are cool looking and create a beautful canopy. I've heard you can hand pollinate to increase yield, but I'm too busy right now for that. I just picked 600 pods off @100 trees. Soon I will be up to my eyeballs in pods. Always glad to share my experiences. Looking for a fermentation box design if any one has one. Later Aloha Sharkman
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Post by Sebastian on Jan 28, 2007 7:13:39 GMT -5
only real hard and fast rule if you're fermenting in a box is to ensure you've got a way for the fluids to get out of the bottom - i'd put 'holes' on the bottom and up 1/3 of the container if you're going the box route..
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Post by sharkman on Jan 29, 2007 3:29:19 GMT -5
Aloha again! I think I found the right way to respond to you Sebastian. I left another message elsewhere, but to repeat myself: Does the type of wood matter for the box? Is it better have a higher stack of beans than a wider one? later Sharkman
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jim
Neophyte
Posts: 7
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Post by jim on Jun 15, 2007 17:26:44 GMT -5
In Ecuador, cacao trees are capable of producing their first pods at 18 months. However, both the genetic material and the method of cultivation are key to getting production that early.
A highly productive variety, Clone Castro Naranjal, has been in cultivation in Ecuador for 35 years, and if planted by branch clipping, rather than seed or grafting, the first harvestable pods appear in about 18 months. It takes about 22-24 months if grafted. Grafted cacao Nacional takes about 30 months to produce, and 24 months if branch clippings are planted.
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