Cacao likes fertile soil, lots of water, mostly in the summer, and high humidity (reason for the brownness) and filtered or speckled sunlight.

They need shade when young. I grew mine under my Grapefruit tree until it got too tall. I keep it potted so I can move it indoors if frost threatens. Mine is in coconut husk chips, compost, aliflor, and pine bark mix. It likes lots of water and fertilizer. Mine grew from 2' to over 8' tall since spring. It no longer fits under the GF tree and instead is kept in my alcove or in the shade behind the shed. The new growth is pink and very tender. Wind will damage the leaves, so will too much sun, or nearly any stress.

I've seen photos of them grown indoors in cold climates and they looked very good.

They are a cool plant!

Lisa

They are a finicky plant to grow - but very satisfying when you're seeing new flushes of growth. Brown edges is not normal, just a normal sign - low humidity. They like sweltering drippingly damp conditions - a hot-house would be ideal. If it's hot for you and chokingly humid to you, they're tickled. Not the best houseplant - tho they can survive. Keep out of wind, and limit sun to an east window if inside - perhaps west. Full on day long sunlight will burn the leaves - big no-no. Even the adults don't like it - they normally grow under a 200' tall canopy as short 40' trees. Perpetual moistness - they're absolutely intolerant of drought. Periodically soak the pot in a bucket for several minutes to fill in hydrophobic spots that develop in the soil. A rich organic soil is best - as well as organic cultivation methods. If you can, inoculate the seedling with mycorrhizal inocula when you pot it up. Most organic nursaries have it available. And - don't mess with the roots when potting up - I've found that cacao don't like their roots to be messed with much. Just carefully yank the root-ball out of the old pot and put into the new pot as intact as possible. They really have very insignificant root systems - depending mostly on the mycorrhizal fungus for their nutrient uptake. That's why tending and harvest is all done from the ground, aside from the fact that as a cauliflorous tree, climbing can also damage the flower pads. When it flowers depends on the tree - anywhere from 3 to 6 years. I had one flower at 3 years! Surprised me. Getting it to flowering is the first step - then getting those flowers pollinated is the next challenge. The pollinators are likely any number of different insects and they do exist in the states since conservatories have produced cacao pods - but hand pollination will likely be more reliable.

Have fun,
Mike

Thanks guys, those were some helpful tips.

I got the plant stabalized and am going to put it in the ground (its in a pot now.) I am thinking I can put up a misting system but I now have to choose between an enclosed, 1-plant greenhouse, or an open air misting system. If I go the greenhouse route I will have to keep the plant short and I don't know what kind of effect cutting the top off will have.

If I do it open air misting system, It will be subject to wind, cold, burning, etc. The real question is, which is better to fruit it?

It will die over the winter if it's in the ground you know...