Few trees exemplify exotic beauty like the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera Linn). This majestic tree bears edible seeds known as coconuts. Coconut palms only thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 11 and 12. They require a minimum temperature of 72°F and prefer an optimal growth range of 85° to 95°F.
While indoor cultivation is an option, fruit-bearing palms are unlikely to be achieved. In warm, tropical regions, you can plant coconut palms year-round, although the warm, rainy months of summer are best. The trees take several years to mature and reach their full height of 80 to 100 feet, which can take a long time.
Propagating Coconut Palm
You can propagate coconut palms easily by purchasing potted nursery plants, though growing from seed is also an option, starting with the flesh of a grocery store coconut.
To aid germination, place the coconut in a bucket filled with lukewarm water, keeping it submerged with a weight for three to four days. This soaking process softens the coconut which expedites germination.
Remove the coconut from the water. Fill a large zip-top plastic bag with 1 cup of water. Place the coconut in the plastic bag and seal it.
Store it in a warm place that does not get too much light and check the bag every week. The seed will germinate and begin growing roots as well as a sprout in anywhere from a few weeks to three months.
When the roots begin to emerge, place the roots in the damp paper towel and put the coconut back in the bag. You can transplant the coconut when the sprout is the size of your fingernail and the roots measure around 6 to 8 inches in length.
When you are ready to transplant the coconut palm, choose a container with a minimum of 10 gallons capacity. Fill it with cactus potting soil or blend potting soil with sand in equal proportions.
Incorporate a handful of sand and several handfuls of fine gravel as well. Plant the coconut in such a way that part of the sprout is covered with soil.
When planting a coconut seed in the ground, ensure the location has sandy, loose soil which is well drained. For low-lying areas, coconuts should be planted in raised beds to enhance drainage.
Coconut palms should be watered at least weekly to maintain consistent moisture in the soil, whether you propagate the palm from seed or nursery transplant.
Planting the palm in full sun will provide optimal conditions, and a warm, sheltered area is best. If you want, you can construct a mini greenhouse around the young plant.
To do this, create a 6 inch fence using bamboo stakes positioned 6 inches from the plant in a circular shape. Enclose the structure by wrapping plastic wrap around the bamboo sticks and across the top.
This greenhouse may be removed once the tree reaches 12 inches in height.
Coconut palms suffer from a deficiency of phosphorus, nitrogen, manganese, and boron, which manifests as yellowed leaves and stunted growth.
To maintain proper nutrition, apply fertilizer specifically designed for palm trees for two months intervals. The fertilizer should be applied using a rotary spreader over the area directly beneath the crown of the tree. Its application should not exceed 1 pound for every 100 square feet of soil.
Pests and Diseases
Coconut palms suffer from a number of disease-related problems. The most common one is “lethal yellow” (LY), which has been spreading up the coast of Florida for many years and destroying a lot of native and commercial plantings.
Symptoms include yellowing leaves, dropping fruit, and gradual decline. Those living in areas prone to LY should consider growing disease-resistant varieties like Malayan Dwarf.
There are treatment options with antibiotics for infected trees but I must warn you that treatment would need to be done every four months for the rest of its life. For home gardens, removing infected trees is the most effective solution.
Fungal bud rot results in either spotting leaves or leaves turning gray. The fungus causes the buds to yellow, shrivel, and fall off, emitting a foul smell. The disease is prevalent following heavy rains or in soil that does not drain well.
To control fungal bud rot, plant palm coconuts in full sun, well-drained soil, and apply fosetyl-Al. Infected trees must be removed.
Harvesting Coconut Trees
Your coconut palm may begin producing fruit five to seven years after planting. Budded coconuts require about 7 to 12 months to mature. For drinking purposes, they can be harvested at 7 months. If the intention is to dry the coconut, a 12-month harvest is recommended.