when will my Coconut die ?

[trioderob]

everyone knows that there is a 99 % chance my Coconut will die outdoors in San Diego

when does that happen ?

if it is going to die how far into winter does it normally happen ?

(yes I know there is not and exact month , day and hour - lol )

Edited November 22, 2010 by trioderob

[Justin]

Probably around Valentine's Day. That's when mine usually died. After a couple of those cool, damp storms they just give up. It happens kind of slowly - I wish it would happen quicker, actually - no false hope.

[trioderob]

Probably around Valentine's Day. That's when mine usually died. After a couple of those cool, damp storms they just give up. It happens kind of slowly - I wish it would happen quicker, actually - no false hope.

No I would not give you false hope

On this strange and mournful day

But the mother and child reu-nion

Is only a motion away.........................

[Trópico]

Can you bring it indoors?

[DoomsDave]

Can you bring it indoors?

yes, if you're able to give it the humidity it needs.

[Tyrone]

everyone knows that there is a 99 % chance my Coconut will die outdoors in San Diego

when does that happen ?

if it is going to die how far into winter does it normally happen ?

(yes I know there is not and exact month , day and hour - lol )

Don't be so pessimistic. Give it your best shot and see what happens. Isn't there a coconut in SD that makes it through winter every year. I seem to remember one planted in some rocks near a building facing south that did fine (not the Newport one). Put it in the best microclimate you have, keep it dry through winter, and make sure it gets plenty of winter sun out of cold winds. It may just survive. In my experience, every winter they make it through they get a bit stronger, provided they can put on some decent growth in summer.

Best regards

Tyrone

[rprimbs]

Yeah there are a number of people down here with coconuts that make it through every winter. Paul Kelso down in El Cajon has a reasonably large one.

[_Keith]

Fast or slow, its gonna die.

[Takil-Explorer]

Stupid coconuts! Here almost any palm will die except the odd Trachy. And among even these some died farther inland last winter!

Another cold dreadfull winter ahead far from sunny San Diego...

Alexander

[BS Man about Palms]

Yeah there are a number of people down here with coconuts that make it through every winter. Paul Kelso down in El Cajon has a reasonably large one.

Funny, that's one I didn't know of...

[Urban Rainforest]

everyone knows that there is a 99 % chance my Coconut will die outdoors in San Diego

when does that happen ?

if it is going to die how far into winter does it normally happen ?

(yes I know there is not and exact month , day and hour - lol )

Don't be so pessimistic. Give it your best shot and see what happens. Isn't there a coconut in SD that makes it through winter every year. I seem to remember one planted in some rocks near a building facing south that did fine (not the Newport one). Put it in the best microclimate you have, keep it dry through winter, and make sure it gets plenty of winter sun out of cold winds. It may just survive. In my experience, every winter they make it through they get a bit stronger, provided they can put on some decent growth in summer.

Best regards

Tyrone

Tyrone, That is the famous or in-famous "Del Mar" coconut that I planted and yes It's ALIVE! It is going into It's 9th winter! It is about 13 ft. tall and has almost a foot of clear trunk. This last year was the toughest one yet as we had above normal rainfall (cold water down in the root zone and growth point) and then we had the coldest and cloudiest summer since the 1930's . Well during the summer it got pink rot and the only thing that saved it was heavy and frequent doses of Daconil and copper fungiside. It has since pushed two frizzle top fronds and is opening a perfect frond with a spear right behind that so it may be in the clear. I planted the Coco purely as an experiment and as a challenge but if you want a Coconut lookalike that looks good year around stick to Parajubaea Sunka or Beccariophoenix.

Stevo

[Tyrone]

"I planted the Coco purely as an experiment and as a challenge but if you want a Coconut lookalike that looks good year around stick to Parajubaea Sunka or Beccariophoenix."

Totally agree. But it's always great to have a go at the real thing.

Best regards

Tyrone

[dalmatiansoap]

Can I see picture of that one somewhere?

[peachy]

Parajubea sunkha is impossible to find here....actually any parajubea is non existant. I have tried a few beccariophoenix but they go downhill quickly and die within 12 months. There is a big old coconut not far my house on the western side of a very steep hill (no morning frost) and it survives with no care at all. No frosts at my house this year but it did go down to minus 2 a few times and the coconut was fine. It only gets sun until about 1pm. So wait till its dead before you mourn it.

Peachy

[Urban Rainforest]

Here is a pic of it in better days! It's gonna be fine but just not looking It's best right now.

Stevo

[BS Man about Palms]

Deceptive shot Steve, its bigger in real life..

[Urban Rainforest]

Deceptive shot Steve, its bigger in real life..

Bill, So true but that pic was taken at least 4 or 5 years ago . The funny thing is this Coconut has suffered minimal cold damage even in 2007. It seems to get most of It's frond damage from intense sun rays and it has had the pink twice now.

Stevo

[MattyB]

I wonder if pouring rubbing alcohol down the crown could help to dry it out and combat against the pink rot. Ya know, sort of like swimmers do to dry their ears out so they don't get ear infections.

[pogobob]

everyone knows that there is a 99 % chance my Coconut will die outdoors in San Diego

when does that happen ?

if it is going to die how far into winter does it normally happen ?

(yes I know there is not and exact month , day and hour - lol )

Tommorow night

[paulgila]

when you are sleeeeeeeeeeping.

[US_Marine]

Last night could have been it for me up in NorCal. I don't know for sure what the actual temp was but two different sources say 31f. I looked around and very small patches of frost here or there. With colder temps than SoCal, I will be happy to see it live until the middle of december. I understand the odds by the way. I just can't resist!

[Takil-Explorer]

Maybe some antifroststuff inside it. Or putting some candles arround it for a cold Christmass...

Crazy coconuts...

Alexander

[GTClover]

If they really hate cold wet soil would it be of any help to cover the soil at the base out to the edge of the crown with black plastic like we northerners do to extend the growing season? I know that the dampness will seep in from the sides, but any sun on the plastic will warm it up. I know this won't help if the air temp stays too cool, but it seems like it could help in borderline situations.

Susan

[Gonzer]

January 17th, also known as All Coconuts Souls Day. So it is written...so it shall be done.

[paulgila]

[Tyrone]

If they really hate cold wet soil would it be of any help to cover the soil at the base out to the edge of the crown with black plastic like we northerners do to extend the growing season? I know that the dampness will seep in from the sides, but any sun on the plastic will warm it up. I know this won't help if the air temp stays too cool, but it seems like it could help in borderline situations.

Susan

Yes, I've done that with clear plastic and it seems to work. The rocks under the plastic still heat up nice and toasty then. I just cut a collar in the plastic for the palms trunk and most rain runs off if you slope it all away from the palm. Any water that gets in around the trunk is quickly heated up and steamed off by the sun.

Best regards

Tyrone

[trioderob]

IT CROAKED

THE FREEZE KILLED IT

[Kim]

Short life, but a merry one... Think of it as a pretty, colorful annual, plant another one in spring along with the dahlias...

How about the rest of your palms, how are they faring?

[velutina]

IT CROAKED

THE FREEZE KILLED IT

Already? Winter must have come early to San Diego...

[Tyrone]

IT CROAKED

THE FREEZE KILLED IT

That would do it.

[Justin]

It froze last night? I didn't think it is was supposed to get that cold. Perhaps I should go check my stuff.

[trioderob]

It froze last night? I didn't think it is was supposed to get that cold. Perhaps I should go check my stuff.

not last night- it was last week we had the cold spell

last night was mild

[calyptrocalyx&licuala freck]

IT CROAKED

THE FREEZE KILLED IT

That would do it.

Bummer.....

[Takil-Explorer]

Just paint it black for better heathabsorbtion! A coco negro is realy something differend!

Alexander

[calyptrocalyx&licuala freck]

[Palms1984]

Here's a photo of the coconut palm at the San Diego Zoo. It's been growing in this protected spot since 2007. This pic was taken on Sept 9, 2010.

[paulgila]

that palm has alot going for it--wedged into that corner with alot of reflected heat & mild climate from being close to the bay.

[Brian Bruning]

How is the Huntington Beach Coconut doing? Someone should cross it with P. coccoides or other related palm. Has anyone heard of the Salton Sea coconut grove? I heard they all died due to lack of irrigation when the house was rented out. Heck, they are growing mangoes commercially there someone should try a coconut. I saw a huge Roystonea regia in Mexicali back in the early 80s and there are lots down in Rosalia. How about Stoney Pt in Sonora? There are many coconuts that fruit in Guaymas just to the south and around Bahia Kino. The low desert around the Salton Sea and south should be a possible place to coax a coconut to grow up. I tried to tempt a friend in Palm Desert to try a coconut in his atrium but he declined. Perhaps he feared coconuts raining down on the roof.

[_Keith]

I suspect, no wait, please solve the mystery for us.

[KennyRE317]

i saw some at home depot earlier today and thought about picking one up