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.

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.

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 8)

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

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.

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

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

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.

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 8)

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.