The cocoa bean tree ( Theobroma cacao ) flourishes in regions of the world around the equator . The tree requires ample rain output , humidity and mellow year - round heat . They require ongoing aegis from the sun and breaking wind , agree to the World Cocoa Foundation . Fruit yield begins when the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree reaches 5 years older . seedpod product peaks at 10 geezerhood and continues until the tree diagram reaches 40 .

Seedling Protection

hot chocolate seedling require auspices to thrive until they are 4 old age honest-to-god . Hardwood trees , coconut tree , plantains , breadfruit and banana tree trees are often imbed around the vernal cocoa seedling to offer shade and confidential information protection . When a hot chocolate tree has sizeable tad from the tropic sunlight , its lifetime is often increased to 100 years according to the Chocolate Manufacturers Association .

Flower Production

The blossom of the cocoa tree are produced year - round and raise side by side with the drinking chocolate pods . The flowers are a waxy white-hot or pink in color . They originate in large cluster by the thousands . Flowers are located on mature older branch and along the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s trunk . Despite an abundance of prime , only 3 percent to 10 percent will ever manage to mature into a fruitful seedpod agree to the World Cocoa Foundation . A modest worm known as a " midge " is the chief pollinator . It requires moist , glowering , rotting botany to come through .

Foliage and Growth

The leaf of the cocoa Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree begin a brilliant red . As the leave ripen they turn green . The tree produces a bass taproot that measures about 3 feet foresightful . It also acquire an abundance of horizontal birdfeeder origin that spread out 20 foot around the tree in search of water and nutrient . The tree grows about 50 feet marvelous .

Seed Pods

source pod maturate over 5 to 6 months . Each pod amount between 8 to 14 inch when fully grown . Pods appear in yellow , red , dark-green and purpleness . Pods often have a speckled appearance when fully grown . Each seed pod contains 20 to 60 seeds imbed in a soft white flesh . The seeds produce cocoa butter .

Harvest

harvest time direct place year - round when ejaculate pods ripen . The seedcase are chop from the tree diagram by hand using a machete . The seed pods are never pulled from the tree diagram because they can do considerable damage to the limbs and proboscis by ripping bark and causing a time lag in next flower production in the wounded area according to the Queensland Government .

References

…