Cocos nucifera and seawater fertilization

[Palehorse]

At the suggestion of one of the board members, I have repeated this post from "basics for beginners" in hopes that someone knowledgeable about this subject would have a better chance to see it.

I have 5 two year old coconuts that seem to be doing well here about 1/4 mile off the beach in south Texas. I have read that coconuts like to be "fertilized" occasionally with seawater, mainly for the chlorine in the sodium chloride, and other trace minerals but I have no idea if the source is reliable. I have seen some of the excellent expert opinions from the veterans on this board and I would like to get your opinion on this matter.

Thanks for your help

[garrin]

At the suggestion of one of the board members, I have repeated this post from "basics for beginners" in hopes that someone knowledgeable about this subject would have a better chance to see it.

I have 5 two year old coconuts that seem to be doing well here about 1/4 mile off the beach in south Texas. I have read that coconuts like to be "fertilized" occasionally with seawater, mainly for the chlorine in the sodium chloride, and other trace minerals but I have no idea if the source is reliable. I have seen some of the excellent expert opinions from the veterans on this board and I would like to get your opinion on this matter.

Thanks for your help

I don't know of anyone doing that here in Hawai'i. There are very healthy bearing coconut palms here growing many miles fom the coastal influence. The coconut stands along the ocean sometimes do look more uniformly green; perhaps just the salt spray in the air is enough to give them something they need, but I really think it has something to do with the more even temperatures along the ocean. Perhaps you could try giving one of your cocos a little seawater, then wait to see if a difference shows up.

Garrin

[PalmGuyWC]

Pee on your Coconuts and they will be happy.

Dick

[Kai]

This is very interesting to me, I have a coconut palm growing very well and a seawater aquarium. Should I water my coconut palm every now and then with some aquarium water?

The water contains of course sodium chloride as well as a lot of calcium (about 420 ppm), magnesium (about 1400 ppm) and carbonate (HCO3) ions. The pH of the water is about 8,2... Typical coral reef properties.

I'm very curious what others might say about adding seawater to coconut palms!

[Palm Guy]

I've read about it but I never experimented. This link give some more information

http://central-america-forum.com/sites/cen...-fertilizer.pdf

[Tyrone]

I've given my coconut a couple of doses of sea salt on the info I got from a Phillipines study that said that inland coconut plantations had improved yeilds if they fertilised with a bit of seawater. My coconut sure didn't mind. It's the chlorine coconuts are supposed to need. I wouldn't overdo it though. No plant will grow in seawater all the time except for algae and seaweed.

Also I wouldn't recommend this treatment if you're growing it in anything but sand. I you have a clay content in your soil, the Sodium will destroy the soil structure.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Peter Pacific]

Palehorse, I have over a hundred coconut palms and I live on the ocean. I have never watered them with the ocean water, and my cocos on the beach always have burned tips. I don´t think I would recommend it.

[Kris]

I like to share my observation in relation to our coconut groves that is in kerala state of india.90% of its coast line is lined up with coconut trees.and they are all doing just fine planted just few meters away from the sea.

And in cochin(also in kerala state)they have back waters caving into the mainland even this water is salty & blackish but all the coconuts are just flourishing great.

And even in chennai our horticulture dept recomands us to put at least one kg of edible grade crystal salt in to the pit dug up to plant the coconut saplings which is usually 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet.W x H xD.And the dug up pit is usually filled with pure sandy soil with lots of humas.

So instead of searching for sea water you can just add a hand full of edible grade salt crystals a feet away from the main trunk in a circular fashion,before the commencement of rainy season or early spring and irrigate that cocopalm according to the season.

Love,

Kris