" The Coconut"

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 2:30 pm

I am really starting to feel sorry for this one, after being chewed on by grasshoppers this Summer, it moved inside to where my cat decided to climb it . Now it has been trimmed up again................

Seems I may never have a nice looking one but it's going on the 2nd Winter inside and continues to grow

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 6:40 am

I have to find a way to get a coconut. I've heard they are difficult to keep (finicky) but there is nothing that says palm tree like a coconut. I think come spring time, I am going to begin my search for a coconut. FYI - There is a thread on the IPS board about a guy that sprouted a grocery store bought coconut.

Did you sprout your coco or did you buy it as a seedling? I guess the key is keeping it going over the winter. Yours has good green color. Is it under artificial light or does it receive sun light? Looks great.

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 3:11 pm

KNNN I know cause I saw it, has germinated his own Coconut. Not sure if that one pic'd is it, but I do know he has one that he germinated himself.
I myself am doing on as we speak. Slow, but as of right now I have a pushing eye.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 3:45 pm

Kent,
I cant seem to keep the fronds on this one long enough to brown out. For the past two Winters it has sat in a window with good southern exposure, then it's outside for the Summer.

This one started with a un-germinated coconut off eBay back in the Summer of 2005, Forgot about it and it literally rolled around in the back of my truck until I noticed it had germinated in September/ October. From there it was potted up and is still kicking.

Not too demanding and they are fun to grow

A couple of things I have found with mine.....

Sand as a soil amendment it not a good choice for areas with damp Winters, last Spring it went into a rapid decline, found that the sand I had used in the mix was holding too much moisture during the Winter months. The roots had not sufficiently developed to support the top growth. It started to die back as the food reserve was depleted, recovered OK with a new mix and serious trimming.

Mine also seems to be a little more tolerant of cooler temps as long as it is in bright light ( usually about 60* - 70*F in front of the window , but the sun does warm the container some) I originally had it in a warmer area but with less light and it stalled out.

I had noticed the other posting you mentioned, glad to see someone having luck with the grocery store ones. I found one locally here about a month or two ago that had germinated in the shrink wrap. It started to grow then just sort of fizzled out. Not sure if I had it too cool or maybe it had used up most of it's reserves trying to push through the plastic?

Anyways.....R.I.P to that one

I have an article here on another germination method, as soon I find it I'll Fwd it .

Wes,
Good luck with yours!! Be sure to give us an update.

~ Steve

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 4:57 am

No Steve, YOU WILL SEE IT!!!
Remember, this Spring I am taking you to "Arnold's Greenhouse" in LeRoy Kansas.
When you come up, PLEASE PLEASE do not be shy, and let me know what I am doing wrong on different things.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 1:25 pm

I'm still figuring out what I'm doing wrong most of the time

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:04 am

Let me know when you two head to Arnolds. If possible, I'd like to meet you there and work over their tropical inventory.

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:02 pm

Yea, I thought about that. Shot, Overland Park is about as close as Topeka. We could raid there tropics dept and clean em out real fast. I know I need to gert another Rostrata as mine is not putting out new growth as it's still in it's pot. I should have palnted it out, but I got it from Arnold's too late. So I'de like to get another.
Also OP, I shot you a PM too.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:15 am

Seems to have survived another Winter inside looking at the snow out the window.............
My cat sort of shredded it last fall so it still is a little beat up.

Two new spears opening in the last month ~ Ready to go out and sit in the sun....Just needs to warm up a litttle more

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 12:45 pm

I got a coconut palm for christmas. It's maybe 3' tall. keeping it under a grow spot light in the basement and it appears to be fine. I can hardly wait to sit it out in the springtime.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 1:29 pm

Thats' a gift to be appreciated!
They really seem to like the Summers here, Have a photo?

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 7:23 am

Steve - just saw your request for a picture last night - so here you go . My neighbor was in Miami FL on business and my wife talked him to bringing this palm back on the plane. It is currently puting out a new frond and appears to be doing OK under a grow spot light.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:19 pm

Kent,
Thanks for the photo, There are fun to grow!

~ Just got my internet service back on after some close lightning strikes last week

tropicman · Post by **tropicman** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 3:31 pm

Mine spent the day outside,hopefully it wasn't too cool for it,and hope it didn't get too much sun!!!!

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:15 pm

I know this newly soaked coconut should lay on it's side, but just how in relation to the "eyes" for planting purposes?
Cheers, Barrie.

tropicman · Post by **tropicman** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:44 pm

Not sure,but I read somewhere,to put the 2 eyes down,thats what I did,and no germination yet!!!
Then I heard later,roll it where it stops,thats the way to plant it!
Then I also heard the way it floats,plant it!
Have fun!!!!

Don

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:06 pm

Here's a link to an Article on this,
http://www.coconuts.kansaspalms.com/
If you place it on its side ~ Try to put the active germination pore on top ( The eye that looks "softer" than the others)

Arctic Palm · Post by **Arctic Palm** » Sun May 06, 2007 8:06 pm

Barrie,

How is the coconut doing? I am going to try it soon. Should I get a husked coconut or a untouched one? Did you lay it on its side or with the eyes up?
Any tips?

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat May 12, 2007 9:58 am

A little sad looking, my normally peace loving cats tore through the house one night and shredded a lot of stuff

It was left with one frond and moved to the safety of the GH.Some new growth now, so hopefully by the end of the Summer it will look a little better.

Steve

Arctic Palm · Post by **Arctic Palm** » Sat May 12, 2007 1:40 pm

Knnn,

I want to try a coconut. What kind of nut should I look for? What did you do

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat May 12, 2007 2:04 pm

You will have the best luck finding one that still has the husk . I bought that one from eBay. Took about 2-3 months to germinate. Soak in a bucket for up to a week and then keep moist & warm.

Have not had any luck with the dehusked Supermarket ones....................If you have any Organic or Specialty Grocers in your area you might be able to find one with the husk intact.

tropicman · Post by **tropicman** » Sat May 12, 2007 8:08 pm

My dehusk coconut is now going on a year and a half,not rotted yet,but has not germinated either.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat May 12, 2007 9:25 pm

Don - I think we need to find someone in Florida who will just throw a couple in a box and mail them to us......

Steve

tropicman · Post by **tropicman** » Sat May 12, 2007 9:58 pm

Yep,or someone from puerto rico,cuba!!!!

PalmsNorth.com

" The Coconut"

" The Coconut"

We can compare notes.......

Almost done with Winter.......

Cocos Nucifera

Lookin Good!

Which way is up?

Germinating Coconuts from Seed

It still lives...........

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