Cocos nucifera

juni 23rd, 2017 · No Comments



Common name: Coconut tree, Coconut palm

Origin: There is still a lot of ambiguity about the exact origin. Fossils have been found in India and in South America as well. It occurs in all tropical areas of the Pacific Ocean, where it has been distributed both by humans as naturally; as the coconuts can float long distances.

Foliage: pinnate and up to 6 meter (19 ft). Old leaves are rejected by the palm itself.

450px-Coconut_art_06Fruit: Coconut. Coconuts sold in our shops had there exocarp (outermost layer) removed and only show the typical brown fibres. The shell has three germination pores or “eyes” that are clearly visible on its outside surface. The coconut, which is in fact just one seed is filled with coconut water.

Opening the coconut: hit a nail into two of the three eyes and retrieve the coconut water. Put the nut on a solid underground and hit it firmly on its side. The coconut will split apart nicely.

Exposure: Full sun, preferably in sandy soil where it is highly tolerant to salt. Lots of water combined with heat and high humidity (70 to 80%) is required for good growth.

Growth rate: Fast

Height: 30 meter / 98,5 feet

Hardiness: 10°C / 50°F

Culture:

cocos-nuciferaYoung specimens are often offered for sale in garden centers and even shopping malls. Unfortunately, most of them do not last longer than a few months. This species is not suitable as a indoor plant. The humidity is far too low and the roots needs quite some depth, which is obviously not achievable in pot. During the summer months, care will not be a great problem as we will have enough light and heat, and due to the regular rainfall in our climate, the humidity is also good. Especially outside, if you will let it get used to the direct sunlight gradually. After a while, however, the reserves of the seed will be used and the young palm will slowly degrades. Especially when this coincides with the arrival of winter and it is indoors where the air is too dry. It is therefore easier to choose one of the many other palm species that are better adapted. Dypsis lutescens (Areca), Howea forsteriana (Kentia), Chamaedorea, …

Sowing is also possible. You just need a well-filled coconut to do so. Shake to nut to check if it contains enough fluid inside. Then you only have to put into warm water for a couple of weeks. As a potting soil, a substrate of potting soil with 1/5 sand and a little cocopeat + perlite is suitable.

Use:

The Coconut palm feeds everyone’s imagination and immediately reminds of paradises with white beaches and a cristal blue seas. Besides this ornamental value, many parts of this palm are used. In addition to the nutritious coconut water, the coconut itself offers the white flesh; both freshly eaten and dried. Coconut oil is extracted from the flesh as well. With the coconut fibers ropes, mats and brushes are made. With the shells also parquet is made. Composted coconut waste forms the well known Cocopeat that we find in the garden centers.

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