Well, I got a coconut...

Discussion in 'Outdoor Tropicals' started by Majestypalm999, May 2, 2008.

  1. Majestypalm999

    Majestypalm999 Active Member

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    I finally picked up a coconut at a grocery store earlier today. I am wanting to try and grow it, but I have no idea where to start. Tomorrow I will be getting it a pot and some soil, but which kind of soil works best? I was thinking of trying sand.

    The coconut does not look fully mature yet, as it is light brown with those three spots starting to become visible. It is round at the bottom, and it goes up into a rounder pyramid near the top. How do I position the coconut in it's pot?

    EDIT: I found a site with pretty much all of the info I need, so I guess I will post some piccies if the palm ever sprouts.
     
  2. jokersmith

    jokersmith Member

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    post a link to that site i may be interested in trying also
     
  3. Majestypalm999

    Majestypalm999 Active Member

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  4. jokersmith

    jokersmith Member

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    so it says find a coconut that has fallen from a tree, does this mean I can't just get one from the grocery store? Thats about the only place that has coconuts 'round here.
     
  5. photopro

    photopro Well-Known Member

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  6. LoongKen

    LoongKen Member

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    In Hawaii, you don't have to do anything to it. It falls on the ground, and it germinates on the ground, provided bugs and rats don't get into it. If it's going to be inside, you might try burying it one-half to three-fourths its diameter, horizontally or with the "eyes" up, in bark chips in a container. You want to keep it hot and humid, so keep the bark chips damp.

    Of course, you don't know what kind of treatment it has gotten before you bought it, and it may not be ripe, as you speculate. Good luck!
     
  7. jokersmith

    jokersmith Member

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    Guess I'll try and get one from the grocery store.
     
  8. LoongKen

    LoongKen Member

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    Make sure the outside of the husk is hard and brown. Do you know what a coconut looks like with the husk on/off?
     
  9. Tom24

    Tom24 Active Member

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    The best thing to do is buy one already sprouted off of ebay. I tried the grocery coconut thing and got no results they spray the cocount with an enhibater to keep them from sprouting and a pesticide to keep bugs out. You might get lucky but I doubt it. Hope this helps Heres a pic of mine I bought of of Ebay.

    Tom24
     

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  10. jokersmith

    jokersmith Member

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    wow impressive, did it come from ebay looking just like that?
     
  11. LPN

    LPN Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    My eBay coconut grew the largest coconut I've ever seen!
    Cheers, LPN.
     

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  12. edleigh7

    edleigh7 Well-Known Member

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    LOL Good one Barrie!!

    Ed
     
  13. Tom24

    Tom24 Active Member

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    Good one Barrie, But no it came just as a cocount with a little sprout coming out and it says you can plant it in water or soil, I put it in soil. That pic was taken in late December 07 I got the palm in July 07 They do grow very fast so make sure you have enough room in the house if you plan on having it in there. I am donating my to the local hort. dept at the college in town. It is about 10 feet now with the fronds measuring about 5 feet. They are very beatiful palms and well worth the time and money in growing them. Hope this helps.

    Tom24
     
  14. greenthumb95

    greenthumb95 Active Member

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    Hi, how much do the sprouted coconuts on ebay cost? I have grown Coconut Palms before but i bought them at home depot pre-grown. Is it hard? Can they get diseases easily? Do they grow faster than ones at stores?



    greenthumb95
     
  15. Tom24

    Tom24 Active Member

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    They cost around 30.00 with shipping from Hawaii, Mine grew very fast when I got it was only about a foot in height and now it is about 6 to 7 feet or more the fronds are around 5 feet. It says to feed it organic food but I have been feeding mine Dr Qs and the worm castings by terracycle and it works awesome. The Coconut palm can get lethal yellowing very easily, but it is only if it is grown around others that have it. That is what sucks about getting one in the mail you don't know if was germinated around sick cocounts or came off one that was diseased, but I have yet to see it on mine, but mine is still only a baby, and they say you won't see the signs till they are a couple years old. I hope this helps you.


    Tom24
     
  16. greenthumb95

    greenthumb95 Active Member

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    Thanks it did help me. I will get a sprouting coconut. It will look nice on my dining room table with my very young date palm. My storebought Coconut Palm is getting so big i will have to give it to my local botanical garden. Is there a way to keep them small other than bonsi? Thanks again.



    greenthumb95
     
  17. drichard12

    drichard12 Active Member 10 Years

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    This is an interesting link for growing store bought coconuts. I just started testing using this method. Mine has been placed on the upper shelf in the greenhouse. It is my understanding that if a coconut has been refrigerated which many store bought coconuts are they may not germinate. But for a few bucks it's worth a try.
    Earlier this year I tested one by planting the eyes up and giving it a good supply of bottom heat, this one fermented and cracked open causing it to fail. Best of Luck. Dale
    http://www.cloudforest.com/cafe/forum/29925.html
     
  18. humboldt101

    humboldt101 Member

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    It needs to still be in its husk such as this one I got from a friend down in Mexico.
     
  19. humboldt101

    humboldt101 Member

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    oops...
     

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