When do Coconuts stop fruiting?

[Mr.SamuraiSword]

When I was in Florida, most fruiting coconuts I saw were in the southern part.  I did see one noticeable one however in englewood with a LOT of coconuts on it.  in what area do coconuts stop fruiting in florida?

[Gonzer]

Usually when their nuts get old and shriveled.

[Zeeth]

There's no place where they just stop fruiting because it depends on how warm or cold winter is. I've sprouted coconuts collected in St. Pete, which is towards the northern limit of their range.

[DCA_Palm_Fan]

1 hour ago, Zeeth said:

There's no place where they just stop fruiting because it depends on how warm or cold winter is. I've sprouted coconuts collected in St. Pete, which is towards the northern limit of their range.

LMAO at the first response.     

As to the question, Im not aware that they just stop producing fruit at any given area.  Perhaps the question should more be like when do they stop being able to produce mature viable fruit, and I think there are just too many variables to give a clear answer for that. 

Sorry to Hijack your thread, Keith, since you live down there, do you know what happened to all of the Coconut palms at Caddy's on the beach?  Do you know that place?   I was there this past Octorber and they were all gone! They were replaced with Sabal Palmetto.   When I was there before on 9/19/09 they looked fantastic.  You can see there was no fruit on them but they were flowering.   Was it 2010 that did them in?     Here are some photos of them in 09.   BTW it looks like I will likely be moving to St. Pete this summer.  Its going to either be there or Fort Lauderdale.  YAY!  finally.  So there is a good chance I will be your somewhat neighbor!   lol 

 

 

[Funkthulhu]

*hat tip to Gonzer* 

My understanding is that they will continue to fruit through their entire lives if they are able.  A specimen that cannot reproduce is of no use to the species and would rob resources from younger plants that were still popping an inflorescence.  As such, in most plants a sterile plant is on the edge of death, because a long fruitless life would not be an evolutionary advantage.

[Steve Mac]

 "in most plants a sterile plant is on the edge of death, because a long fruitless life would not be an evolutionary advantage."

Crikey, I'm glad that does not apply to people. 

[foxtail]

10 hours ago, Gonzer said:

Usually when their nuts get old and shriveled.

[PalmTreeDude]

Most of the time until they die. 

[Funkthulhu]

17 hours ago, gtsteve said:

 "in most plants a sterile plant is on the edge of death, because a long fruitless life would not be an evolutionary advantage."

Crikey, I'm glad that does not apply to people. 

It is an evolutionary advantage to have women go through menopause so they wouldn't compete with their own daughters, while simultaneously being able to care for the children so the adults in their prime go out to hunt and gather.  Men never evolved to shut off because they'd usually get eaten by a bear or something long before it was an issue...

Back to palms!