Cocoa Cultivation Techniques

1. Land preparation and planting distance

• To provide a good growth medium for cocoa seedlings to be planted, at the prospective place of cocoa crop will be planted with a planting hole should be of sufficient size.
• Cocoa planting distance 3 x 3 m or 4 x 2 m, while the commonly used size of the hole is 60 X 60 X 60 cm. Planting hole was made 6 months prior to planting. Can be inserted into the hollow of green manure or manure.
• By making this planting hole, tried to be the stones, and the remnants of the roots are not inserted back into the planting hole.
• Parts of top soil and sub soil lifted up the hole in the opposite direction, the hole left open temporarily.
• When closing the holes may be added organic matter, top soil is placed at the bottom of the hole, the sub soil at the top. 

2. Preparation of planting material and nursery Terminology
Some common sense is often encountered in the cultivation of cocoa:

• Varieties: plant material developed generative breeding (with hybrid seeds).
• Clones: plant material propagated vegetatively (by cuttings, grafting, side grafting)

3. Planting shade (temporary and permanent)
The layout of the shade plants in the field:

• Plants grown in shade while the line with a distance of 75-100 cm from the row of cocoa plants.
• Plant shade still lies at the intersection of the diagonal line that connects the cocoa crop.
• Temporary shade crop planted a year before the cocoa seedlings planted in the garden, as a benchmark that is easy for this condition is a young cocoa only get direct sun exposure for 2 hours (11:00 to 13:00).
• Plants shade remains (lamtoro and gliricidae) were planted 1-2 years before the seedlings are planted in the garden.

4. Maintenance (pruning, fertilizing and controlling pests and diseases)
Pruning is the act of disposal of part of plant organs in the form of branches, twigs and leaves that are aimed at:

• Getting a frame (frame) a good cocoa crop.
• Arranged for the spread of the branches and leaves of the plant canopy can be productive in evenly.
• Dispose of plant parts such unwanted water sprouts, diseased or broken branches.
• Stimulate the plant to form new organs of the young leaves are more potent as a producer of food.
• Pressing the risk of pests and diseases.
• Improving the ability of plants to form fruit.

Fertilization is intended to supplement certain nutrients in the soil is insufficient for the needs of cultivated plants. Fertilization should be done based on the principle of balance because of fertilizers that contain a certain element in excess will interfere with absorption of other nutrients. Maximum results will be obtained if the fertilization is done by: 
Proper dosage      : according to table
Exact type             : based on soil analysis
Appropriate time  : the beginning and end of rainy season
Appropriate way  : through the soil or leaf 

 
                                common dose of fertilizer

May be Useful