Today I pulled out a stunted 4 year old cacao tree and planted a new one. Maybe it was just a weak tree to begin with, or maybe the spot was too dry, or not enough shade. The taproot had a bend in it, and the poor tree kept getting attacked by the rose beetles. There are so many factors… The other cacao trees we planted around the same time are thriving. Because we are working with limited space every cacao tree needs to be productive! This spot is more wind protected, now that the rollinia tree nearby is getting bigger and an Egyptian pea is going to give some nice dappled shade. The new cacao tree will be just fine.
Originally posted on 2021-06-02, part of the daily planting journal behind Ha’a Chocolate’s food forest on Hawai’i Island.