Cocoa Cultural Calendar



From the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida


Cultural calendar for cocoa production of mature (bearing) trees in the home landscape
 
OperationJanFebMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDec
General NPK1Apply NPKApply NPKApply NPKApply NPKApply NPKApply NPK
Nutritional sprays2Apply 4 to 5 foliar nutritional sprays.
Iron applicationsApply iron 2 to 4 times.
WateringReduce watering frequency.Water plants frequently during dry periods.
Insect and disease controlMonitor for insect and disease pests year round. Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension office for current control recommendations.
PruningSelectively prune plants to reduce plant height and increase air and light penetration.
1 NPK, nitrogen-phosphate-potash. Many fertilizer mixes also contain magnesium (Mg).
2 Foliar nutritional sprays should include manganese, zinc, and other micronutrients.


Fertilizer recommendations for mature (4 or more years old) cocoa plants in the home landscape.

YearMonthTimes per monthNPK per tree per application (lbs)1Micronutrient applicatons2Iron soil drench applications3
1Jan11/8–1/4MarchApril
March11/4–1/2MayJune
May11/4–1/2JulyAugust
July11/2–3/4SeptOctober
Sept13/4–1
Nov11
2+Every other month11Every other month from March to SeptEvery other month from April to Oct
1 NPK, nitrogen-phosphate-potash, dry soil applications.
2 Micronutrient applications should be made to the leaves and contain magnesium, manganese, zinc, and other microelements (follow label directions).
3 Chelated iron materials should be used in high-pH soils (e.g., Miami-Dade County). Mix the iron chelate with water and pour the mix under the canopy of the plant. In low-pH soils, iron sulfate may be applied in a dry granular form.


Nutritional value of 3 oz (100 g) dry powder, unsweetened, cocoa.2

ConstituentValueConstituentValue
Water3.0 gIron12.9 mg
Protein19.6 gMagnesium499 mg
Fat13.7 gPhosphorus734 mg
Carbohydrate54.3 gPotassium1524 mg
Fiber33.2 gTheobromine2057 mg
Calcium128 mgCaffeine230 mg
2 USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18 (2005). http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/ (November 2016)



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Bibliography

Crane, Jonathan H., et al. "Cocoa (Chocolate Bean) Growing in the Florida Home Landscape." edis.ifas.ufl.edu.  This document is HS1057, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date Nov. 2005. Revised Nov. 2016. Web. 7 June 2017.

Published 11 June 2017 LR
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