How to set up a cocoa tree nursery

CHOOSE THE NURSERY SITE

Preferably near a water point
On slightly sloping, well-drained ground
Not far from the new plantation, avoiding the shallows.
In June-July of the year preceding the future planting

MARK OUT THE NURSERY

Depending on the future plantation, 2000 nursery plants for 1 ha of plantation, i.e. around 60 pods per hectare.
For 1 ha of planting, allow 100 m2 of nursery.

TO SET UP THE NURSERY

Make boards of 0.5 m wide by 6 m long, laying the length of the planks in the direction of the slope
Create aisles of 0.5 m wide between the beds and 1 m wide on each side of the nursery.
Create drainage ditches in case of steep slopes
Build a shade roof of 2.5 m above ground level and a fence around the nursery.
Prepare the filling soil by choosing the right non-sticky surface soil (black soil), preferably under forest cover, avoiding old cocoa plantations and undecomposed manure.
If necessary, add sand to the black earth at the rate of 1 wheelbarrow of sand for every 3 wheelbarrows of black earth.
Sieve the mixture well and fill the sachets to the brim.
Place filled 17×24/40M(micron) bags in the boards by placing 4 bags abreast, separated in the middle by a bamboo.

Keep the sachets upright.
On steep slopes, start arranging the bags from the bottom.
Cover the shade roof with the palm fronds and provide a covering on the sides exposed to the sun.

PREPARING THE SEEDS

As soon as the selected pods are received

(August - September - October)

Carefully open the pods to avoid damaging the beans.

Eliminate flat beans or those that are too small.
Remove 3 sterile beans from the base of the pod
Wash the beans several times in plenty of water.
Wipe the beans without damaging them with a burlap bag, in sand or with sawdust.
As soon as they are clean, water the filled bags and sow the beans flat at a depth of 1.5 to 2 cm, pressing lightly with your fingers.
Water thoroughly again.
Budding occurs after 9 days approximately
Replace the missing ones 2 weeks after sowing with the same starting material
Repeat the operation 2 or 3 times if possible.
Water the young cocoa trees on average every 2 days, preferably at the neck, either early in the morning or in the evening.
Weed regularly
Start a fungicide treatment when the plants have 2 to 4 leaves, then apply it regularly at a 21-day interval.
Protect the plants from insects by spraying them with insecticide once a month.

N.B.: “DO NOT WATER THE PLANTS FOR THE TWO DAYS FOLLOWING TREATMENT”

Group the plants regularly on the same bed (calibrate the plants in the bed).
Gradually adjust the shade

Content by Daniel Roger NKPWANG, Ing

Dr. Pierre MBONDJI MBONDJI

Under the supervion of: Jérôme MVONDO