After many years of creating a food forest with a huge diversity of plants and trees, we discovered that there were many microclimates.

In the shade, where this drop in temperature can be found, only certain plants will grow; one of them, we discovered, is Cacao.

It was with skepticism that I agreed to try Cacao, knowing that it needed a cooler climate and even a higher altitude to grow successfully.

After 4 years, I have found that the cacao trees are starting to flower! Small delicate flowers growing off of the trunk, I was amazed! When looking closer at the plants, I found the huge leaves are almost paper-like in their texture.

The tree seems really healthy, and I am looking forward to seeing if it will bear fruit.

There are many other plants that will benefit from micro-climate, such as coffee and pepper. This is an ongoing learning for us and the beautiful evolution of diversity at solitude farm.