I am currently fostering two cacao seedlings of unknown variety (gift of Eric Durtschi to my CRFG chapter), but given that I am in Southern California, the lack of humidity really beats these guys up if I take them out of my makeshift greenhouse. I would be delighted to buy some of your seedlings but do you have any recs for growing them up in the land of Santa Anas?
Hi, growing in California is tough for cacao because of the humidity, but if you can keep humidity high in a greenhouse they should do well. Temperatures can’t get below 45 degrees preferably, though they might take a dip into lower 40s once in a while (but don’t quote me on that-the fact that mine survived low 40s once or twice before I took them back indoors doesn’t mean yours will).
Your cacaos look nice, the new leaves on the one one the right really look good. If your greenhouse can keep high humidity (I’d say over 70-80 percent, but I know many people successfully grow cacaos with 50-60 percent indoors. My indoor humidity during the winter is around 30 percent, so not good).
I think we have a similar situation regarding humidity, especially during the winter. But if you want to keep them outdoors, you’ll have to protect them from the cold. I keep mine indoors during the winter in a grow tent. Now I’m building a better one (with an intake fan!) to add some air circulation, as the previous one really doesn’t have any.
I hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions!
Tomek
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