New photos of the Newport Beach coconut

[Ryland]

I was just passing through Newport Beach the other day and of course could not continue without seeing the palm. Thought I'd put some pictures up if anyone's interested.

[Gonzer]

Nice! Man, I remember when that little nut was just knee-high to a grasshopper!

[osideterry]

That thing exists both to mock us and give us hope.

[Dan OKeeffe]

Someday those seeds will be in high demand!

[CromulentKevin]

So what is it about this specific location that allows a coconut to do so well, compared to other locations in Newport Beach? Obviously frost/cold is not a problem in Newport Beach. . .so is there something about this spot that has better soil, drainage, humidity, that it is planted in close quarters without much other plant material or soil around it? I'd imagine that the main problem with cocos in california is rotting out in the winter, but this obviously has made it through quite a few years. . .or have people just figured that this is somehow genetically superior and has nothing to do with where it was planted?

[Walter John]

That's the best I've seen it. Bigger pic would be nice.

[Davidl]

Has that palm ever flowered ? It looks good but a bigger pic would be nice.

[Mark Heath]

I am very happy to see this!! I have been wondering how this palm has been doing. Bill Dickenson was the first person to shoot me pics of this beauty.

My take on this.

It is surounded by asphault, which heats up in the day for the extra warmth that Cali does'nt provide, whether it's winter or summer. Also, there is a fire hydrant close by that might have a leak so that would help w/ the water issue as well. But maybe they irrigate it so that would not be a factor!!

Heat is the big factor, Cocos love and thrive w/ it!!! Also, the building probably blocks alot of the wind that normally would erase the heat issue too!!

Come on Cali guys!! Let's hear those feel-good stories about Cocos!!

Us Floridians are allways trying to grow Parajubaeas and things like that,,,, and i know you Cali guys are just sitting back and giggling!!!

But i would really love to see more Cocos in California, the world would be a much more beautifull place w/ more Cocos!!

[Mats]

Here's an article about that tree from a few years back.

[epicure3]

Looks pretty good but, at 29 years old, it makes a Beccariophoenix seem fast. I think the one in Del Mar looks better and seems to be faster.

[Tyrone]

Looking good.

From what I've learned about coconuts, they are fairly leaf hardy, and that's what you would expect from a beach dwelling plant that must handle hurricanes and cyclones, but the roots need to be kept warm all the time. Soil temps around 20C and daytime temps around 20C will allow the plant to survive provided the night temps aren't super cold, ie 5C or below for extended periods. Interestingly 20C and above is where coconut oil changes from a solid to a liquid. Is that a coincidence? I don't know.

Best regards

Tyrone

[iamjv]

Cool update pictures as well as that article.... Cheers to Bill Dickenson for his efforts over the years to preserve that palm! Jv

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

Back in March 2005 , I visited Joes Crab shack, Newport beach.

While waiting to get a table... I walked over to the World Famous Newport beach coconut and took some photos.

It was one of those cold/overcast windy days, where we had to wear coats to enjoy the beach. Official High airtemp for the day was only 61f.

By 4 pm it was in the mid 50's.

I stuck an instant read thermometer into the soil at the base of the Coconut palm... it read 57f- 58f at about 4 inches deep.

Not scientific... but it shows that the thing can handle sub 60f degree surface soil.

Jeff

Edited August 28, 2009 by Jeff in Modesto

[epicure3]

Back in March 2005 , I visited Joes Crab shack, Newport beach.

While waiting to get a table... I walked over to the World Famous Newport beach coconut and took some photos.

It was one of those cold/overcast windy days, where we had to wear coats to enjoy the beach. Official High airtemp for the day was only 61f.

By 4 pm it was in the mid 50's.

I stuck an instant read thermometer into the soil at the base of the Coconut palm... it read 57f- 58f at about 4 inches deep.

Not scientific... but it shows that the thing can handle sub 60f degree surface soil.

Jeff

That is very interesting. Very cold soil and that thing keeps chugging. Hmm....well, you never know, do you.

[happ]

I am very happy to see this!! I have been wondering how this palm has been doing. Bill Dickenson was the first person to shoot me pics of this beauty.

My take on this.

It is surrounded by asphalt, which heats up in the day for the extra warmth that Cali does'nt provide, whether it's winter or summer. Also, there is a fire hydrant close by that might have a leak so that would help w/ the water issue as well. But maybe they irrigate it so that would not be a factor!!

Heat is the big factor, Cocos love and thrive w/ it!!! Also, the building probably blocks alot of the wind that normally would erase the heat issue too!!

Come on Cali guys!! Let's hear those feel-good stories about Cocos!!

Us Floridians are allways trying to grow Parajubaeas and things like that,,,, and i know you Cali guys are just sitting back and giggling!!!

But i would really love to see more Cocos in California, the world would be a much more beautifull place w/ more Cocos!!

Very astute, Mark

Newport Beach is not much different than other beach cities in SoCal except, due to nearby mountains, offshore flow\ santa ana winds are fairly regular during winter. Newport Bay is fairly shallow & warmer than Laguna Beach ocean temps. Asphalt seems to do wonders for some tropicals. I recall a photo of a fully blooming delonix regia a few blocks from San Diego bay; the tree was surrounded by asphalt. The Newport coco probably is protected from strong wind.

[Ryland]

Some of you have asked for a bigger picture. I've got a bigger one here of one of the shots (palmtalk won't let me put very big pictures up at the same time, and it's difficult for me to adjust the size). This palm always fascinates me, though I don't understand how it survives.

[Ryland]

Looks pretty good but, at 29 years old, it makes a Beccariophoenix seem fast. I think the one in Del Mar looks better and seems to be faster.

I've never heard of one in Del Mar... do you have pictures, or know of some on the internet?

[Palmy]

Incredible. That cocos is doing well after all these years. Hope more and more try cocos in so-cal. Haven t seen a pic of the del mar coconut in a while.

[Ryland]

This one was taken with my phone - turned out better than those from my camera!

[freddyuk]

I am from UK and often stay at the Holiday Inn Express on PCH on business trips which is just up from Joe's Crab shack and the Irish Pub. I have been known to pick up palm seeds from the Hotel car park! I must have walked past this a few times.

Just down the road on Riverside is the palm i photographed outside my clients office. I am not an expert but is it a Foxtail??

I am growing a seedling of this palm.

Small world!

[paulgila]

looks like an archontophoenix to me.

[Walter John]

looks like an archontophoenix to me.

Yep Paul, fairly green looking under those leaves, looks like a bangalow (A.cunninghamiana).

Hi freddyuk, where is that ? UK, USA, where ? I can't tell from the local talk , "up from Joey Crabs, across from Bertha's Marine and Coal", etc.

[paulgila]

I am from UK

is this what yer looking for,wal?

[Mats]

Speaking of coconuts in Southern California, whatever happened in this thread?

Did Ashton and Danny end up planting a coconut?

[freddyuk]

looks like an archontophoenix to me.

Yep Paul, fairly green looking under those leaves, looks like a bangalow (A.cunninghamiana).

Hi freddyuk, where is that ? UK, USA, where ? I can't tell from the local talk , "up from Joey Crabs, across from Bertha's Marine and Coal", etc.

Sorry guys very sloppy English speak. I meant up the sidewalk!!! One of my favourite visits is NB, always sunny!

Thanks for the feedback you guys are incredibly knowledgable. Who would have thought of carrying a thermometer around to measure soil temp. I have so much to learn.

[palmazon]

Speaking of coconuts in Southern California, whatever happened in this thread?

Did Ashton and Danny end up planting a coconut?

not yet - got bogged down attempting to locate one of the "cold hardy" varieties (go figure)

the one I got him father's day last year stayed in a pot indoors & entered the nitrogen cycle last month

[Walter John]

looks like an archontophoenix to me.

Yep Paul, fairly green looking under those leaves, looks like a bangalow (A.cunninghamiana).

Hi freddyuk, where is that ? UK, USA, where ? I can't tell from the local talk , "up from Joey Crabs, across from Bertha's Marine and Coal", etc.

Sorry guys very sloppy English speak. I meant up the sidewalk!!! One of my favourite visits is NB, always sunny!

Thanks for the feedback you guys are incredibly knowledgable. Who would have thought of carrying a thermometer around to measure soil temp. I have so much to learn.

Oh, that's clearer on where you are

[freddyuk]

looks like an archontophoenix to me.

Yep Paul, fairly green looking under those leaves, looks like a bangalow (A.cunninghamiana).

Hi freddyuk, where is that ? UK, USA, where ? I can't tell from the local talk , "up from Joey Crabs, across from Bertha's Marine and Coal", etc.

Sorry guys very sloppy English speak. I meant up the sidewalk!!! One of my favourite visits is NB, always sunny!

Thanks for the feedback you guys are incredibly knowledgable. Who would have thought of carrying a thermometer around to measure soil temp. I have so much to learn.

Oh, that's clearer on where you are

I'm in the UK - i am in Kent far southeastern tip of England.

[BS Man about Palms]

Thought I would update at least the address. its at about 2430 pacific coast highway

[paulgila]

thanks,you owe me 22 seconds for the time i spent on this.

[Stevetoad]

Wow! It looks great now!!! I bet this threat gets up to 9 pages... Any takers???

[BS Man about Palms]

.

[BS Man about Palms]

thanks,you owe me 22 seconds for the time i spent on this.

you owe me more...

[palmcurry]

Someone said recently that this palm croaked. Time for a drive by to investigate.

[BS Man about Palms]

Someone said recently that this palm croaked. Time for a drive by to investigate.

I drove by that area 3 times in the last month, didn't see it. But now that I know EXACTLY where to look, i probably won't get up near there! I know they were doing some construction near there...

its only a 25 min drive for you Vince if that..

[Jim in Los Altos]

If you check out the street view on Google maps (2430 pacific coast Highway, Newport Beach), it looks very sad. I wonder how recently the photo was taken but the famous Cocos was all yellow and brown, poor thing. Anyone know if it looks any better today?

[Ryland]

Checked out that street view. I'd agree that it looks sad, but at least it still looks alive. It's rather amazing actually, given the last two chilly, wet winters. More recent updates/visuals would be appreciated.

[paulgila]

Someone said recently that this palm croaked. Time for a drive by to investigate.

are you sure someone said that,vince? pogobob said the one in san clemente had died,but he said it in a vague way so that at 1st some people thought he meant this one.

@ bs man: pfffttt!

[sur4z]

[i'm in the UK - i am in Kent far southeastern tip of England.

[Dr. George]

Okay all ... went on a solo PRL (Palm Related Lunch) today and did a PRDB (Palm Related Drive By) of the infamous Newport Beach coconut.

As you can see, reports of its demise are greatly exaggerated. - gmp