While our original goal was 100 acres planted per year, January kicked off year two with approximately 110 acres planted and the goal to match or exceed that acreage again in 2017. The trees planted in 2016 are doing well and being maintained while the next 100+ acres is being prepared for planting.
Maintenance of trees planted in 2016 – February 1, 2017
Given the high germination rates achieved in the nursery in 2016 we had a few extra trees but as of February 2017 the nursery was ready for the 2017 crop. We are potting a few thousand less trees this year than we did in 2016 as we expect to maintain high germination rates.
Nursery as of 2-1-17 – Ready for 2017 seedlings.
Between February and May of 2017 50,000+ pots were filled and planted in the nursery with what we are calling ‘special seed’. This seed is hand-selected by Richard from trees that have done well and born fruit early in their life cycles.
Finca Chocolat 2017 cacao nursery – picture as of May 1, 2017
Unlike 2016, the land to be planted in 2017 was more densely vegetated with a fair number of medium sized trees. After analyzing the alternatives, it was decided to bulldoze the land to be planted for this season rather than clear by hand and tractor. Bulldozing adds a fairly significant expense but allows us to stay on schedule as all the land can be cleared during the dry season and will be ready for the trees at the right time for them to leave the nursery. The expense is somewhat offset by lack of paid labor to clear the land but the timing was the more important element in the decision.
Finca Chocolat 2017 acreage to plant – panoramic shot as of May 1, 2017
Finca Chocolat 2017 acreage for planting – close up – as of May 2, 2017
Work continues to clear, stake out and prepare the bulldozed acreage for the onset of the rainy season when this years trees will begin to be planted. For now the trees are doing well in the nursery and work continues.
We leave you with a final picture of the trees planted in 2016 which are doing well and we hope will start producing pods in the next 2 years.
Finca Chocolat – 2016 trees as of May 1, 2017
We have said this before, but it truly is difficult to capture the scale of Finca on camera. We encourage all investors to plan a time in the next year or two to come and see the operation for themselves.
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