Good potting soil for coconuts?

[Zeeth]

I am starting as many coconuts as I can. I found out that there are many of the Jamaican talls that I love on anna maria island only a few miles from me. I potted 2 up, and am potting more as I find them. The 2 that I have I have in a mix of 50% miracle grow Cactus Palm & Citrus Potting Mix and 50% perlite. Is this a good mix? It seems to drain quite quickly. Since these are Jamaican tall coconuts I find on the beach, I was considering scooping up some sand from that beach to add to the mix on the next nuts I find (I'm going looking tomorrow). Would this help, or just make the mix heavier? Thanks for all your help!

[Palm Guy]

umm never tried beach sand in pots but from what i've heard its a no no. Construction grade or coarse sand may be better for pots. I've used Miracle grow cactus and palm potting soil and believe it has some sand in it already. I think the added perlite is enough in my opinion.

[Zeeth]

umm never tried beach sand in pots but from what i've heard its a no no. Construction grade or coarse sand may be better for pots. I've used Miracle grow cactus and palm potting soil and believe it has some sand in it already. I think the added perlite is enough in my opinion.

Thanks for the reply! So I guess I'll just stick with the 50-50 mix. I can't wait for these guys to start growing!

[Palm Guy]

no problem, don't worry when seed is still attached you're going to get some fast growth. Keep up with the ferts after about 3 to 4 months from germination and you could have a 2 ft plant at year end.

[edric]

I use Coco Peat Coir, with coarse Perlite, for all my palms, no exceptions, Ed

[Peter Pacific]

I am starting as many coconuts as I can. I found out that there are many of the Jamaican talls that I love on anna maria island only a few miles from me. I potted 2 up, and am potting more as I find them. The 2 that I have I have in a mix of 50% miracle grow Cactus Palm & Citrus Potting Mix and 50% perlite. Is this a good mix? It seems to drain quite quickly. Since these are Jamaican tall coconuts I find on the beach, I was considering scooping up some sand from that beach to add to the mix on the next nuts I find (I'm going looking tomorrow). Would this help, or just make the mix heavier? Thanks for all your help!

Zeeth, I have over a hundred coconuts on my property and the new coconuts just sprout up in the sand like crazy. I live on the beach and have black volcanic sand and here, in Guatemala, they need very little attention except water when it´s not raining...Good Luck

P.S. When I started planting them it was the only thing that would grow in the hot sun (along with my almond trees). Seven years later, they´re huge and I probably would not have planted so many...I only have a couple of acres and it seems that I need more room for some other species. Peter

[SubTropicRay]

I would use any well draining potting mix. Coconuts haven't spread all over the world because they are selective about the soil type.

[Zeeth]

I would use any well draining potting mix. Coconuts haven't spread all over the world because they are selective about the soil type.

That's a pretty good point