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REAL Chocolate Tree Theobroma Cacao

 Grow your own Chocolate at home! A small, tropical evergreen, up to 25 feet, with thick, oblong-oval, entire leaves. The cacao “beans” are produced in large, angular orange-ish capsules, up to a foot long and 4 inches diameter. The capsule rind is thick, hard and leathery. The capsules grow along the trunk and main branches. The beans, or seeds, about an inch across, range from 20 to 40 per capsule, and are imbedded in an acid, fleshy pulp.

Plant sizes and cane planting.

Currently rebuilding our cane inventory.
Some of the rare varieties of sugarcane may be available at our other store. UrbanTropicals.com

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SKU: THE-CAC-7 Categories: , Tags: , ,
QUICK SPECS
OUTDOOR
Zone 10-11		 PATIO
Zone 4a-11
SOIL TYPE
Rich Moist		 % SUN
80-100%
POT SIZE
7″ Deep		 INCLUDES
One Tree

ABOUT THEOBROMA CACAO
Theobroma Cacao – Grow your own Chocolate at home! A small, tropical evergreen, up to 25 feet, with thick, oblong-oval, entire leaves. The cacao “beans” are produced in large, angular orange-ish capsules, up to a foot long and 4 inches diameter. The capsule rind is thick, hard and leathery. The capsules grow along the trunk and main branches. The beans, or seeds, about an inch across, range from 20 to 40 per capsule, and are imbedded in an acid, fleshy pulp. After removal from the capsule, the beans are washed or fermented to remove the mucilaginous pulp. Chocolate is the sweetened or unsweetened product of the roasted and ground beans, with most of the fat retained.
These are very healthy trees with well established root systems. This Theobroma Cacao is ready to be repotted and enjoyed upon delivery.
Please note: Leaves are often trimmed prior to shipping to reduce transpiration and travel stress. The growth rate of Theobroma Cacao will vary greatly depending on season, soil type, sunlight, temperature and other factors. Always changing!

THEOBROMA CACAO CARE
Theobroma Cacao are very easy to grow tropical fruiting trees that and seem to grow best when neglected. They add a wonderful accent to any outdoor space, garden or patio. In very cold zones a containerized Theobroma Cacao can be brought inside for the winter months.  Most will survive a very light frost and quickly return to normal in spring. In the northern end of their grow zone Theobroma Cacao trees should be brought indoors or protected during the winter months.
When you receive your new tree, there is no need to worry about planting right away. Your new tree can be stored for a while by simply placing it in a bucket with about a half inch of water in the bottom and moving it a shady location. You can then add some mulch to the bucket to keep your Theobroma Cacao standing straight. The mulch will also supply nutrients while in storage. This will give you plenty of time to select the ideal location for your Theobroma Cacao.

CONTAINER SIZE
Most gardeners don’t realize that Theobroma Cacao trees grow very well in patio containers. Allow enough room for growth generally a 18″ to a 30″ diameter, 14″ deep container will suffice.  Remember the looser the roots, the taller and healthier your tree will be. When the tree becomes root bound its growth will slow. At that point it is time for a larger pot.

SOIL
Theobroma Cacao enjoy well drained but moist, rich organic mix. Remember try to stay away from wet, mucky soils.

FERTILIZER
To help establish your new Theobroma Cacao, fertilize sparingly, biannually with a slow time release fertilizer. Unfertilized they will tend to grow very slowly. WARNING – The heavy salts in cheaper fertilizers may damage the roots thus killing the tree.

GROW ZONE & LIGHT
Best outdoors if grown in zone 10-11, find your zone here. This tree requires 85-100% sunlight. Depending on your location full sun is best. The patio zone is 4b-11 which means the potted tree will flourish over the summer months in this zone but must be brought inside for the winter months. (avoid frost)

BEFORE YOU PLANT OUTDOORS
Here at the nursery these trees are grown under 20-40% shade cloth. If you plant directly in full sun you may experience leaf burn. It is best to acclimate this tree to its environment by keeping it outside and slowly moving it into a sunny area over a week or two to avoid stress before planting.

WHAT IS THE SHIPPING SIZE
All trees for sale will vary in size. In the spring, trees are often smaller than trees shipped in the fall. Most trees designated with a (-4, or -6) will arrive in a standard 4 inch or 6 inch growers pot respectively. Our new, reusable, recyclable deep cells are 7 inches deep and 2.5 inches in diameter. Products growing in these cells are easy to transplant and allow for deeper, faster growth and are designated with a (-7). The color and style of these pots may vary. If we are out of a particular size item, we may ship a larger size at no additional charge.

Note: Before leaving, Theobroma Cacao are inspected, watered, pruned if necessary and topped to 36″ to facilitate shipping. Your new tree is then bagged to keep the soil moist, to ensure that the soil stays in the pot and not loose in the box. Then your tree is tissue or kraft paper wrapped and secured in place with natural biodegradable peanuts. You will be pleased.
You may want to buy Theobroma Cacao online now while they are in stock.

Weight 5 lbs
Dimensions 40 × 6 × 6 in

Raising Cane

How To Grow Sugarcane Basics
Sugarcane are very easy to grow plants that are actually a grass. They require little care and add a tasty accent to any outdoor space, garden or patio. In very cold zones a containerized plants can be brought inside for the winter months. In the northern end of their grow zone sugarcane plants should be brought indoors or protected with mulch during the winter months.
When you receive your new sugarcane plant, there is no need to worry about planting right away. Your new plant can be stored for a while by simply placing it in a bucket with about a half inch of water in the bottom and moving it to a shady location. You can then add some mulch to the bucket to keep your plant standing upright. The mulch will also supply nutrients while in storage. This will give you plenty of time to select the ideal location for your new sugarcane plant. NOTE: To facilitate shipping ALL plants are trimmed to 36″ if necessary.

Before you plant outdoors
Here at the nursery, sugarcane plants are grown under 20-40% shade cloth. If you plant directly in full sun you may experience leaf burn. It is best to acclimate this plant to its environment by keeping it outside and slowly moving it into a sunny area over a week or so to avoid stress.

Two sizes to choose from.

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7″ Deep cell

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Field production size

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XL Plantation size

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1-6 Canes per pot

Unpotting 7″ Production Pots

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Rooted out the bottom

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Slice both sides

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Remove carefully

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Keep moist

Important
The most important step in planting sugarcane is simply unpacking and unpotting the plant. Often in a hurried attempt to get the cane planted, root damage can occur. This damage will rarely harm the plant, however even if minor damage occurs it may set you back a couple weeks worth of growth.
The pots we use here at the nursery are thin and very easy to cut and open like a clam-shell.

Unpotting 6″ Round Plantation Pots

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Rooted out the bottom

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Slice both sides

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Remove carefully

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Keep moist

Field Planting

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Auger your row.

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Plant deep.

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Pack the soil.

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Mulch when established.

Field Production Tips
If your new plant has some cane showing, plant one to two inches below the plants soil line, this will stimulate new root growth from the buried nodes.
Once your cane plants are established, add some organic fertilizer and 12 to 18 inches of mulch. We have found that this method makes the plant simply explode. Fresh roots from the existing canes will develop in the mulch and much larger new canes will often sprout from every buried node usually within 30 days. Note: The heavy salts in cheaper fertilizers will damage the roots and possibly kill the plant.

7 Month Field Results

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5 month inspection.

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Remove lower leaves.

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Healthy organic plants.

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Prep for next crop.

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Uahiapele

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Leie Hawaiian

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Halali

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Lobbers or machete.

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2 day harvest

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Hilo grows to 9′

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Ready for market.

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Tasty snacks.

Container Growing

Sugarcane plants grow very well in patio containers. Allow enough room for growth generally a 18″ to a 24″ diameter, 10″ deep container will suffice. Remember the looser the roots, the taller and healthier your plant will be. When the plant becomes root bound its growth will slow. At that point it is time for a larger pot.

Soil
Sugarcane enjoy well drained but moist, rich organic mix. Remember try to stay away from wet, mucky or dry, sandy soils.

Ferterlizer
To help establish your new sugarcane plant, fertilize sparingly at least 6 inches away from the base, with a high quality, slow time release fertilizer. Unfertilized they will tend to grow very slowly. Note: The heavy salts in cheaper fertilizers will damage the roots and possibly kill the plant.

Zone & Light
Best outdoors if grown in zone 9-11, find your zone here. This plant requires 80-100% sunlight. Depending on your location full sun is best. At the northern end of their grow zone sugarcane plants should be brought indoors or protected during the winter months. The patio zone is 4a-9b which means the potted plant will flourish over the summer months in colder zones but must be brought inside before harsh winter temps.

What is the shipping size?
All sugarcane plants for sale will vary in size. In the spring, Plants are often smaller than plants shipped in the fall. NOTE: To facilitate shipping ALL plants are trimmed to 36″ if necessary.

Shipping Info.

SHIPPING & HANDLING RATES AND INFO.
At the current time we only ship to the lower 48 states. We do NOT ship to AK, HI, PR or internationally. Orders placed from these areas will be refunded and cancelled. Orders placed from the western regions in the US can have an extended delivery time up to 9 days, we strongly recommend orders be placed in early spring or late fall to avoid hot summer temps. In these regions you are accepting full responsibility for the shipment and understand the risks involved due to distance and temperatures. Western shipments are not guaranteed in the months of July-August.

**Please understand, we are unable to constantly monitor the temperatures across the entire United States. If you know the temperatures in your area are not conducive to shipping plants enclosed in a box from Florida to your location, please wait until temperatures are more favorable. We do not guarantee plants due to extreme temperatures during shipping.

Local UPS Ground Shipping to: Florida and Georgia.
Items Ordered Flat Rate
1 $19.84
Plus $2.50 per additional item.
Example Total
1 Item $19.84
5 Items $29.84
10 Items $42.34
 

UPS Ground Shipping to Eastern Regions: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Items Ordered Flat Rate
1 $22.94
Plus $3.20 per additional item.
Example Total
1 Item $22.94
5 Items $35.74
10 Items $51.74
 

UPS Ground Shipping to Western Regions: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Items Ordered Flat Rate
1 $29.84
Plus $4.65 per additional item.
Example Total
1 Item $29.84
5 Items $48.44
10 Items $71.69

HOW ARE PLANTS PACKAGED FOR SHIPMENT?
Wow, like a present!  With our state of the art packaging we can ensure that your new plant arrives in style. Before leaving our growers all plants are inspected, watered and pruned if necessary. Your new plant is bagged to keep the soil moist and to ensure that the soil stays in the pot not loose in the box. Then your plants are tissue or kraft paper wrapped and secured in place with natural biodegradable peanuts, you will be pleased. click here

DO YOU SHIP PLANTS ANY TIME OF THE YEAR?
 Sorry, no we don't.  Most of the plants offered are very tropical and require temperatures above 40º at all times. On occasion some orders may be delayed if the weather conditions in your area warrant that the shipment be held. This helps to ensure the survival of your new plant. During the winter months when we are no longer shipping plants, our growers spend their time researching new species and new growing techniques to provide you with the most unique and superior species of plants available anywhere.

HOW LARGE ARE THE POTS THE PLANTS COME IN?
It varies.   All plants for sale will vary in size. In the spring, plants are often smaller than plants shipped in the fall. Most plants designated with a sku ending in -3, -4, -6 or -8 will arrive in a standard 2.75 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch or 8 inch round growers pot respectively. Our new, reusable, recyclable deep pots are 8 inches deep and 3x3 inches in diameter and 9 inches deep and 4x4 inches in diameter. Products growing in these pots are easy to transplant and allow for deeper, faster growth and are designated with a -t3 or -t4 respectively. Our new landscape plugs come in 3 sizes, 5" deep x 2.5" round, 7" deep x 2" round and 9" deep x 2.5" round and are designated with a -5, -7 or -9 respectively. (Note: The item sku number can be found just below the buy button.) The color and style of these pots may vary. If we are out of a particular size item, we may ship a larger size at no additional charge. You can see the various pot sizes and actual plants ready to ship.  click here

ARE SHIPPING OPTIONS AVAILABLE?
 No. Sorry,  At the present the only shipping option available is UPS Ground ®. UPS ® has proven themselves in the industry and have become the carrier of choice for our family of growers. With reasonable rates, careful handling and on time service you can be sure that your shipment will arrive ready to be enjoyed. Note: The shipping, flat rate charges include the cost of handling, trimming, prepping, watering, bagging, boxing, packaging, etc. You pay nothing more.

HOW CAN I ESTIMATE THE ARRIVAL DATE?
 To ensure proper delivery  most orders will take 1 - 3 weeks. The delivery time can vary depending on the work load, seasonal holidays and your location. You will automatically be notified by email with tracking information when your order ships, allowing you to trace the shipment to its destination. Rest easy knowing that your plant will not ship until it is inspected, watered, bagged and properly packaged.

WILL ALL OF MY PACKAGES BE SHIPPED BY UPS?
 Yes.  We not only trust UPS® with our plants. They are the exclusive shipper of our growers when it comes to plants, pots and accessories.

CAN ORDERS BE SHIPPED OUTSIDE THE US?
 Presently we only ship inside the lower 48 states.  With the current USDA regulations regarding shipment of live plants, our family of growers are restricted to and governed by the guidelines for certification within the lower 48 states only. Orders shipping to Alaska, Hawaii and internationally will not be accepted.

CAN I CHANGE A SHIPPING ADDRESS ONCE I'VE PLACED AN ORDER?
 We're sorry.  Shipping information can only be changed if you email our customer service immediately after your order has been submitted. We process orders very quickly, and once an order begins the fulfillment process we're unable to modify it. We apologize for any inconvenience, and we hope that in the majority of cases our faster processing times work to your advantage. If you have questions about your order, please contact us via email. click here

WILL MY PLANT SURVIVE IF IT ARRIVES WITH BROWN OR DAMAGED LEAVES?
 Your, plant should be fine.  Occasionally transit damage will occur. If your plant arrives a bit shaken and stressed, simply follow your plants "Care & Culture" instructions and it should return to its full beauty and luster with in a few weeks. Note: We do not warrant bent or broken leaves, it is only natural that some minor damage will occur. Certain plant varieties do not like to be shipped and can loose some or all of their leaves during transit, this is common and the plant is not dead, it is simply in shock and should bud within 30 days or so.

WHAT DO I DO IF MY SHIPMENT ARRIVES CRUSHED OR DAMAGED?
 It depends on the extent of the damage.  If your shipment arrives and the box is severely crushed or damaged, you can either refuse the shipment or place a "Claim" directly with UPS Ground for loss or damage at UPS.com. However, in doing this you must realize that if you have ordered an item that is in short supply or high demand, we can not guarantee a replacement.

WHAT DO I DO IF I DO NOT RECEIVE MY ENTIRE ORDER?
 Read your packing slip.  First, read your packing slip to be sure that everything you ordered has been shipped. Second, If you only receive a partial shipment don't worry. There is no need to panic. If your entire shipment does not arrive within 4 weeks from the time you placed your order, please e-mail us with your order number and name so we can trace the missing item(s) and promptly correct the situation. click here

CAN I CANCEL OR RETURN?
  Sure, but you must do it quickly.   Orders canceled after the UPS tracking information has been sent will be charged a 20% restocking fee, this also applies to orders canceled while in transit and orders refused at time of delivery. Understand at that point your plants have been pulled from various greenhouses, tagged, cleaned, bagged, watered, wrapped, bagged again, packaged with p-nuts, paperwork, box, tape and state permits. If for any reason you need to cancel an order it must be done ASAP for a full refund. Returns are only accepted within 15 days of receipt of purchase. Plants must be returned postage paid in the original box along with the fully filled in return form printed off the website. No C.O.D's will be accepted. Refunds are only issued for the purchase price of the product being returned (excluding S&H) and are issued back to the credit card or PayPal account that the original charge was placed with. Orders placed from the western regions can have an extended delivery time up to 8 days, we strongly recommend orders be placed in early spring or late fall to avoid hot summer temps. In these regions you are accepting full responsibility for the shipment, the mortality of the plants ordered and understand the risks involved due to distance and temperatures. Western shipments are not guaranteed in the months of July-August.

WHAT IS YOUR PHONE NUMBER?
 Sorry,  There is no available telephone number. Our team members are always in the field maintaining the foliage. Email is the most efficient way to answer questions and concerns. click here

MY ORDER JUST ARRIVED, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO THE PLANTS?
 Immediately unpack your plants very carefully, most damage occurs in the hurried attempt to see the new plants.  When your plants arrive you will need to water them if necessary.

WHAT PLANTS ARE SAFE FOR KIDS AND PETS?
 You will have to do your research.  We make absolutely no claims as to plant safety, of any plant whatsoever. If in question, please do your homework prior to ordering. For your pets you may want to visit the ASPCA. Please read our Terms of Service and Return Policies prior to purchasing.