|
The
Cacao Tree fruit is a huge berry called cacao pod, usually egg or melon-shaped, 5 to 12
inches long and 3 to 5 inches wide. The cacao pod contains 30 to 40 seeds. It takes 20 to
25 pods to get 2 pounds of cocoa. Once the tree reaches maturity, fruit pods will sprout
from its trunk and branches. The golden-red to purple fruit pods turn brown at maturity,
at which time they are split open and the insides scooped out. |
The
Cacao Tree is a shade tolerant, moisture loving, understory rainforest tree. It naturally
favors riparian zones so often in the wild is found along rivers. The trees live for up to
100 years, but cultivated trees are considered economically productive for only about 60
years.
Unlike most
fruit that grows on the branches, cacao pods grow directly on the trunk of the tree. The
cacao tree yields its first crop at 3-4 years old.
They give fruit three to four times a
year.
The hard, coarse shell changes from green to yellow,
and then to a reddish brown.
Origin of this
tropical understory tree in the family of the Sterculiaceae are the Amazon Headwaters from
where it moved to Central America. Cocoa cultivation began by Mayan tribes in Central
America, ca. 1500 BC. Mayas and Aztec attributed divine origin to cocoa tree (brought by
god Quetzacoatl). The precious cocoa beans were used as a currency. The sacred beverage
called "chocolatl" was consumed from golden cups. |
|
|
The
cacao tree can flourish only in the hottest regions of the world, but the young plants in
particular need lots of shade. Delicate seedlings are easily sunburned, and so they must
have direct cover from larger trees in the rainforest canopy. The cocoa trees
develops under the shade of other large tropical forest trees. In farms they may be
under or banana or coconut trees. They need 80+ inches of rain, and high humidity.
Inside the fruit is a white sweet pulp and
arranged in five rows are almond-shaped bitter cacao seeds. Each pod generally produces 20
to 40 cacao beans. These seeds are the ones used to make chocolate. |
Shipping
We ship via USPS Mondays-Wednesday with Delivery
confirmation.
All live plants are Inspected By USDA Plant Inspectors before
they are shipped to insure you get healthy pest free plants and seeds.
All live plants are shipped bare-root wrapped in moist
sphagnum moss to ensure the plant’s healthy transit to you.
ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS!
We can ship live plants to the US only. Only Domestic Shipping and Handling
includes USDA Certification.
We ship Seeds Internationally.
All International shipments are at Buyer's
Risk. Please spend no more more than you can lose!
Proper Permits and Documents are the
BUYER's responsibility.
Please request any documents prior to shipping.
For foreign customers, please check your laws concerning permitting and customs,
additional shipping and handling costs may apply.
The additional charge for any Phytosanitary Certificate is not included in this offer.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ON LIVE PLANTS is available only under these conditions!
All international orders
are shipped at the
BUYER's RISK
(shipped with or without
documents) and no refunds or replacements are offered for Dead On
Arrival, loss, confiscation, Customs Seizure, unanticipated charges,
etc.
|
Payment
We
accept online payments only through PayPal, Cash payments are only acceptable for
in-person payments and cash-on-delivery (COD). Cash payment can not be sent through the
mail.
Please only one Paypal payment. SO THE COMBINED SHIPPING RULE WILL CAN
BE USED. Multiple paypal payments are NOT eligible for
discounts.
We will ship once a week - ON or BEFORE WEDNESDAYS, because
of the special stamps needed to ship plants and cuttings to you. This can only be
done at the Dept. of Agriculture. If payments are not met before that MONDAY, your
items will be shipped the following week and lose the combined discount opportunity.
Non-paying bidders may receive negative feedback and will be reported as an unpaid item to
eBay.
COMBINED
SHIPPING POLICY
INTERNATIONAL
SHIPPING is not included in this offer.
See
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ON LIVE PLANTS
We will combine shipping for auctions won on the same week paid with same paypal payment.
This policy is good for all items bought and paid for in the week ending MONDAY.
Payment must be received
within 7 days of the auction ending.
Combined
Discounts Won Auctions
For 2-3 winning auctions, the combined discount is 10% of the total Shipping and Handling
charges. For 4-7 winning auctions, the combined discount is 20% of the total Shipping and
Handling charges. For 7+ winning auctions, the combined discount is 30% of the total
Shipping and Handling charges.
As each order is packed and prepared separately you will pay the quoted S/H charges
individually per item. If you buy the same species in that item it does calculate out the
discount (i.e.: additional item $3.61). My stores' combined shipping is built in for same
items rather than a varied selection. Includes postage, USDA certification and inspection,
proper packing and delivery to Airport for prompt delivery. I can’t really change any
of these. If you want one of this and one of that, it gets hard to discount much as each
different species requires it's own prep & packing, then at USDA each has to be
unwrapped and inspected then repacked. USDA requires me to clean and prepare every last
piece before we drive them to the Inspection Station on the other side of the island. It
takes my wife and I, a day to pack items and get ready to ship. The whole next day we
drive around the island and get inspected (2-3 hours), then drive to the Airport Post
Office to drop off. It takes the same work with the same type item if you can understand.
|
my
dog Taz will fetch your email to me
If you are dissatisfied
with the item, please contact me
before leaving a
negative or neutral comment.
I want you to be
satisfied.
Mahalo iâ `oe no ke kipa
`ana mai. E kipa mai hou!
Mahalo & Aloha!! |