A common palm globally that is known for the amazing fruit it produces i.e. the coconut. The coconut palm starts producing fruit when it is 6 to 10 years of age and keeps on giving fruit till it is about 80 years of age in most cases.
Facts & Care Sheet
The Coconut Palm
Maximum height: About 80 to 100 feet
Maximum width(spread): 20 to 30 feet
Native range: The origin of this palm tree has been a subject of debate. While most authorities say that the coconut palm is a native of South Asia, others claim its native range to be South America. It is also important to note that some fossil records of a coconut-like plant that was smaller in size has been found in New Zealand. These fossil records are about 15 million years old. Interestingly, even more older records have been found in India, while the oldest is from Bangladesh.
Scientific name: Cocos nucifera
Growth rate: Moderate to fast
Propagation: By planting a fresh coconut in moist soil.
Leaves: It has big hard leaves.
Sun: Place them in areas with bright and direct sunlight.
Water: Water thoroughly and frequently the well-drained sol around it.
Soil: Sandy soil with a preferred pH of 5.0 to 8.0.
Temperature: Moderate, 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Poisonous: No
Cold tolerance: Can bear cold temperatures of 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Drought tolerance: Very high
Fruit: The famous coconut which is consumed by people around the globe.
Propagation
Propagation is done from a coconut. Take a fresh coconut and listen for sloshing milk when you shake it. Soak it in water witht the husk intact. Then take a container and fill it with well drained, sandy soil. Plant the coconut pointed downwards into the container. Now one thing you will have to make sure if you want the nut to sprout and that is to never let the soil dry. Water frequently so that it stays moist. The soil should be moist, not wet. place it at a sunny location. The plant will sprout from one of the three holes.