We purchased 300 cacao trees from our neighbor Rodolfo, and we started planting them at our lowest elevations. Mostly at the Pnina (Hebrew for Perla or Pearl) property, next to the bridge over the Perla River (Rio Perla) at the entrance the village La Perla. This is so so exciting that we will be able to produce our own cocoa and chocolate. We also recently planted coffee trees above the macadamia trees. So, we will have organic cocoa and organic coffee along with organic macadamia nuts. Yum yum yum .... Oh my gosh ... and we still need to build our trapiche (our traditional sugar mill that we have in storage) ... yes, we plan on planting lots of sugar cane using our work oxen and the antique plow we bought. We are also planning on renting a tractor to pull the large disc-plow that we bought.
To go along with the cacao trees, we are also buying a variety of fruit trees (such as papaya, rambutan (mamon chino), palms) and platano and banana to plant there as shade trees. Juan, Vivian's father helped clear the area after we had some horses grazing down the grasses. Efrain and Vivian are busy trying to find good fruit trees and other planting material. Miguel and Esteban are doing most of the planting. Vivian and Sandra are busy planting vegetables the new greenhouse.
Thanks to our summer interns and volunteers and other visitors and guests for helping to prepare the planting material and working in our various gardens and greenhouses, and planting trees.
===> Muchas gracias a todan!!!!! Pura Vida, Dr. Paulo
To go along with the cacao trees, we are also buying a variety of fruit trees (such as papaya, rambutan (mamon chino), palms) and platano and banana to plant there as shade trees. Juan, Vivian's father helped clear the area after we had some horses grazing down the grasses. Efrain and Vivian are busy trying to find good fruit trees and other planting material. Miguel and Esteban are doing most of the planting. Vivian and Sandra are busy planting vegetables the new greenhouse.
Thanks to our summer interns and volunteers and other visitors and guests for helping to prepare the planting material and working in our various gardens and greenhouses, and planting trees.
===> Muchas gracias a todan!!!!! Pura Vida, Dr. Paulo