Genetic modification of the coconut....

[Zeeth]

When almost anyone pictures a palm tree, what is the first thing to come to mind? A tall skinny, curvy thing out on the beach with giant nuts drooping down, i.e. Cocos nucifers. This is the palm that is the epitome of the tropics. Unfortunately, most people live in areas where this palm can not grow. I believe there is a simple answer that would both put cash in the pockets of whoever does it and a smile on most of our faces, genetic modification. Once this avenue starts to be looked at, the coconut becomes relatively lucky, it has a close relative that is very hardy, the Butia genus. Presumably, cold hardiness lies within the genetic code, possibly ordering production of some sort of cellular antifreeze, or something similar to this. If this is the case, once the location of that particular gene on the genome is identified, it may be copied and inserted into the genome of the coconut. This would, if done correctly, produce a hardy coconut palm. The biggest threat is this palm escaping into the wild and disturbing the genome of natural coconuts. This could be solved by making the palm completely sterile. I believe the creators of the cold hardy coconut would make it sterile anyway, because if you are able to reproduce it on your own, you don't buy more and they make less money, therefore a sterile palm would be better on all parts. Growth rate can also be changed with genetic engineering, so a super fast growing palm (say, speed of pigafetta) wouldn't be out of the question. The biggest question that begs to be ask is when this will happen. Many scientists put the real explosion in wide spread use of genetic engineering in 7-15 years. The only reason it wouldn't happen would be lack of demand, but I don't think that will be a problem. Once this is introduced, I know I would be one of the first in line to buy one, and I believe many others, once they learn of the creation, would as well. Would any out there oppose the creation of such a palm? Who would buy one, and what price would you pay for a small one, like 3 gallon. I know this is all wishful thinking, but if someone had told you 20 years ago some of the things that would be possible (internet was, after all, only created in 1991, look where it is now!) you would scoff at them too, right?

Keith

[Jeff Searle]

I think I'll stick to living on this planet.

[Zeeth]

I think I'll stick to living on this planet.

Don't squelch my dream!!!

It'll happen, I just know it!

[_Keith]

I think I'll stick to living on this planet.

Don't squelch my dream!!!

It'll happen, I just know it!

It probably will happen, but at what price. I am a little leery of making purchases before someone tells me the price.

[Zeeth]

I think I'll stick to living on this planet.

Don't squelch my dream!!!

It'll happen, I just know it!

It probably will happen, but at what price. I am a little leery of making purchases before someone tells me the price.

That's true. I could see them making a deal with Wal-Mart to sell them, as they'll make the most money that way. I think the price would be marked up, but probably not too much, or people wouldn't buy them. That's my thought anyway.

[Paul The Palm Doctor!]

When almost anyone pictures a palm tree, what is the first thing to come to mind? A tall skinny, curvy thing out on the beach with giant nuts drooping down, i.e. Cocos nucifers. This is the palm that is the epitome of the tropics. Unfortunately, most people live in areas where this palm can not grow. I believe there is a simple answer that would both put cash in the pockets of whoever does it and a smile on most of our faces, genetic modification. Once this avenue starts to be looked at, the coconut becomes relatively lucky, it has a close relative that is very hardy, the Butia genus. Presumably, cold hardiness lies within the genetic code, possibly ordering production of some sort of cellular antifreeze, or something similar to this. If this is the case, once the location of that particular gene on the genome is identified, it may be copied and inserted into the genome of the coconut. This would, if done correctly, produce a hardy coconut palm. The biggest threat is this palm escaping into the wild and disturbing the genome of natural coconuts. This could be solved by making the palm completely sterile. I believe the creators of the cold hardy coconut would make it sterile anyway, because if you are able to reproduce it on your own, you don't buy more and they make less money, therefore a sterile palm would be better on all parts. Growth rate can also be changed with genetic engineering, so a super fast growing palm (say, speed of pigafetta) wouldn't be out of the question. The biggest question that begs to be ask is when this will happen. Many scientists put the real explosion in wide spread use of genetic engineering in 7-15 years. The only reason it wouldn't happen would be lack of demand, but I don't think that will be a problem. Once this is introduced, I know I would be one of the first in line to buy one, and I believe many others, once they learn of the creation, would as well. Would any out there oppose the creation of such a palm? Who would buy one, and what price would you pay for a small one, like 3 gallon. I know this is all wishful thinking, but if someone had told you 20 years ago some of the things that would be possible (internet was, after all, only created in 1991, look where it is now!) you would scoff at them too, right?

Keith

I think, Keith, that the idea IS plausible, so it's a matter of "when" & not "if" to have the chance of buying a Butia/Cocos! Let's just see what develops over the coming years! Paul

[Palmə häl′ik]

The first thing that comes to mind is that Dierks Bentley song, "What was I thinking"

The next is, Is there a market for these said coconuts

All the genetic research and development costs time and money.

And then how are you going to get that cost back...

via that coconut... hmmm.... That'd be one expensive coconut...

I'll just plant some B. alfrediis and call it a day...

I don't think you could sell 'em.... They'd be way over-priced.

[Zeeth]

The first thing that comes to mind is that Dierks Bentley song, "What was I thinking"

The next is, Is there a market for these said coconuts

All the genetic research and development costs time and money.

And then how are you going to get that cost back...

via that coconut... hmmm.... That'd be one expensive coconut...

I'll just plant some B. alfrediis and call it a day...

I don't think you could sell 'em.... They'd be way over-priced.

Yes Ray, I completely agree. At this point in time, Genetic engineering is very costly. But after it becomes more widely used and studied costs will go down, way down. Eventually it will be a simple matter of typing numbers into a computer and that's all the human intervention required. This is the time period I expect this to happen in, which is the next 7-15 years.

[John in Andalucia]

Cocos nucifera - the "Prince of Palms" is an iconic tree, epitomising both the tropics, and palm trees in general, for those unaware that any other form of palm tree exists! It doesn't follow therefore, that to create a cold hardy Coconut is the best thing in the world. People need to be able to dream a little.

[Kathryn]

Cocos nucifera - the "Prince of Palms" is an iconic tree, epitomising both the tropics, and palm trees in general, for those unaware that any other form of palm tree exists! It doesn't follow therefore, that to create a cold hardy Coconut is the best thing in the world. People need to be able to dream a little.

Well said John. If we took the best aspects from each region of the world and mixed them all together in one place, it wouldn't be as special as the individual locations.

Also, there is a big difference between hybridizing a Butia with Syagrus and genetically engineering an organism. It's not good to mess with Mother Nature.

[Alberto]

.............This could be solved by making the palm completely sterile. I believe the creators of the cold hardy coconut would make it sterile anyway, because if you are able to reproduce it on your own, you don't buy more and they make less money, therefore a sterile palm would be better on all parts............

A sterile coconut?? Means that a palm that bears not fruits or were the fruits cannot germinate?...I want a cold hardy coconut that produces coconuts! I want to drink ´´água-de-côco´´from my own palms

[Zeeth]

.............This could be solved by making the palm completely sterile. I believe the creators of the cold hardy coconut would make it sterile anyway, because if you are able to reproduce it on your own, you don't buy more and they make less money, therefore a sterile palm would be better on all parts............

A sterile coconut?? Means that a palm that bears not fruits or were the fruits cannot germinate?...I want a cold hardy coconut that produces coconuts! I want to drink ´´água-de-côco´´from my own palms

It would probably produce fruits, but they would not be able to sprout. It would be easier to do it this way and it would be more appealing, so I suspect that's how it will happen.

[PalmGuyWC]

Mother Nature has a way of fooling all of us. Mark Heath in central Florida has, what we think, is a "natural" Butia X Coconut. The seed came from a Butia but the plant looks more like a juvinile Coconut. There are several who are now trying this hybrid under controlled conditions, and apparent viable seeds have been achieved. These seeds are in the process of being germinated, and the results should be known in a few more months. We can only speculate what characteristics the mature hybrid will have and how cold hardy it might be.

Dick

[palmmermaid]

I wouldn't buy it or any fruit or fruit products from it. I don't want any more GMOs in my life. I am trying very hard to eliminate as many as possible.

[Kim]

Keith, could you please add another category, "No thank you, I'm not interested." Of all the challenges facing the world today, it's hard for me to put a genetically engineered cold-hardy coconut up there as a priority. I guess my feelings will fall in line with John in Andalucia and Kathryn; if I want to see coconuts, I want the whole package: warm ocean, light island breezes, and a vacation! Take the coconut palm out of the tropics, and it becomes just another palm, imho.

[Ken Johnson]

Zeeth, my coconut obsesed friend, you bring up a good point but have no idea of the ramifications of such enginerning. When we get so good with IDing allels and inserting them to produce desired results there will be an explosion of plants "built" to feed the planet!

Don't worry about cost and Box Stores, this is big time stuff. Coconut itself is one of the worlds MOST important food sources so stand back and watch as farmers in cold areas (Idaho?, China? MattyBs house?) start growing them.

Animals will be next, don't doubt it and so the world will turn and problems will exist but Zeeth will be producing coconut gold!

[osideterry]

I'd rather be able to make Howeas grow and acclimate to sun faster without messing with their DNA.

[Turtile]

Everything we eat is genetically modified over thousands of years. Genetic engineering is just a different way to do it. Instead of constantly breeding plants to get a genetic change for a desired trait (while changing countless others), we can just put the gene for the trait in.

[Mark Heath]

Keith,

I voted for it, but i would'nt pay too steep of a price!

I hate to say this and don't get me wrong,,,,, i really don't think that any one certain labratory will get the funding for this project. Too many other fish to fry.

It could be done yes, but i just don't see the funding for it happening.

I believe Matt successfully performed the cross of Butia X Cocos.N. I would suggest to start begging him for some seeds when they germinate!!!!! And i mean BIG-TIME begging!! He is a softee at heart, so it might be worth your while!! Better than waiting 7-15 years huh???

Sorry Matt, hehehehehehe!!!!!!!

[Zeeth]

Zeeth, my coconut obsesed friend, you bring up a good point but have no idea of the ramifications of such enginerning. When we get so good with IDing allels and inserting them to produce desired results there will be an explosion of plants "built" to feed the planet!

Don't worry about cost and Box Stores, this is big time stuff. Coconut itself is one of the worlds MOST important food sources so stand back and watch as farmers in cold areas (Idaho?, China? MattyBs house?) start growing them.

Animals will be next, don't doubt it and so the world will turn and problems will exist but Zeeth will be producing coconut gold!

I think that the farmer side of the discussion is the most likely reason it would happen. If one can stretch the growing range of the coconut to that of Butia, a whole new world opens up in farming, and many cold areas will become profitable farms. A list of the priorities of producing a GM plant would be the same as a list of the most potential for getting money from the GM project. This is why the top consumed grain staples have already been Genetically modified to grow faster, be resistant to the herbicides and insecticides that they use, and produce more food. Most americans eat some form of GM food every day, usually in the form of High fructose corn syrup. The coconut palm isn't high on the list of potential profitability, but it's on there, so it will eventually be genetically modified in some way. Whether or not cold hardiness is on the list of things to do when they do this modification is the question, but to expand the potential growing range is to expand the potential profit, which is reason enough to put hardiness on the list.

As to the mention of "If we took the best aspects from each region of the world and mixed them all together in one place, it wouldn't be as special as the individual locations." by a few members, this certainly is a valid point. I can understand fully what you mean, even though I don't necessarily agree, as I would love to see coconut palms planted all over Florida, north and south, instead of queen palms. They stand up much better to hurricanes and look better. Areas like SoCal would be a nice place to see coconuts too, as they fit many of the characteristics of what one would expect in a "tropical getaway" and coconuts would certainly LOOK like they fit there.

There is of course the funding issue. Once the big Genetic engineering companies look the coconut over, if they don't give it cold hardiness, and instead more drought tolerance, or ability to live in the desert, then the project might never get done. This is always a possibility.

Mark, which Matt is this? I'll have to go bug him now...

[Palmə häl′ik]

Keith. I think we import coconut fruit at such a cheap rate, it's common practice nowadays...

The coconut farms are not ever going to be in this country.

It's just not plausible with our neighboring countries...

The US likes to import to keep relations good with other nations...

Maybe you could conjour up something to do with the husk, and fibers that'll be a more profitable idea...

... my 2cents; of course.

[Zeeth]

Keith. I think we import coconut fruit at such a cheap rate, it's common practice nowadays...

The coconut farms are not ever going to be in this country.

It's just not plausible with our neighboring countries...

The US likes to import to keep relations good with other nations...

Maybe you could conjour up something to do with the husk, and fibers that'll be a more profitable idea...

... my 2cents; of course.

That's a good point actually. This probably won't happen right now because of the cost involved with genetic engineering. It theoretically could happen with our technology level, but it's the pricing that gets you. In 15-30 years however, the cost involved with genetic engineering might be low enough so that one of us with a few extra hundred dollars could fund having this done. Just thoughts and ifs at this point, and by the time it gets done you could have planted a Beccariophoenix alfredii and have it mature by then, but it could still happen.

[bgl]

Not much future for a project like this. Just look at pineapple and sugarcane - once very important components of Hawaii's economy. And Hawaii is in the tropics! Now, all those plantations have been closed down and production has moved elsewhere. To the Philippines, for instance, where production is much cheaper. Same would be true for coconut palms. It's always going to be cheaper to grow them in developing countries in the tropics than in cooler climates, where wages and related production costs are much higher. And as long as that's the case there is absolutely zero incentive to spend the money to produce a cold tolerant coconut palm.

[Zeeth]

Not much future for a project like this. Just look at pineapple and sugarcane - once very important components of Hawaii's economy. And Hawaii is in the tropics! Now, all those plantations have been closed down and production has moved elsewhere. To the Philippines, for instance, where production is much cheaper. Same would be true for coconut palms. It's always going to be cheaper to grow them in developing countries in the tropics than in cooler climates, where wages and related production costs are much higher. And as long as that's the case there is absolutely zero incentive to spend the money to produce a cold tolerant coconut palm.

Stated bluntly, but true. Well, we can always wait until the days where Genetic engineering is so cheap and widespread you can get a plant, animal, or child engineered for a few hundred dollars. It will probably be a long time, but I'm only 18, so I probably will see when it happens.

[bgl]

Keith,

I wouldn't hold my breath on that one! The cost of the genetic engineering aspect is actually completely irrelevant. Just look at it this way: let's say someone DISCOVERED a coldhardy coconut palm on some remote island in a temperate climate. It would still be much cheaper to have large coconut plantations in tropical developing countries than anywhere in the USA (for instance). And not only would it be cheaper from a production point of view (cheap labor for instance), but you also get consistent growth 12 months a year in a tropical location, so you can harvest the fruit 12 months a year as welll. That would not be the case in a cooler climate.

Bo-Göran

[Zeeth]

Keith,

I wouldn't hold my breath on that one! The cost of the genetic engineering aspect is actually completely irrelevant. Just look at it this way: let's say someone DISCOVERED a coldhardy coconut palm on some remote island in a temperate climate. It would still be much cheaper to have large coconut plantations in tropical developing countries than anywhere in the USA (for instance). And not only would it be cheaper from a production point of view (cheap labor for instance), but you also get consistent growth 12 months a year in a tropical location, so you can harvest the fruit 12 months a year as welll. That would not be the case in a cooler climate.

Bo-Göran

At this point, I'm not really hoping for them to make cold hardy coconuts for plantations here, but more about Genetic Engineering in general to be streamlined/efficient/cheap enough to do this without a complex reason, which I believe will happen within at least my lifetime, which presumably will be another 70-80 years.

I have learned that demand really isn't high enough to do it for the sole purpose of selling it to people until costs to study and produce it go way down, WAY down. This is a forum dedicated solely to palm trees, and half of the people voted no. That being said, genetic engineering is new technology and new technology is expensive. Remember when cell phones were first invented? Now they are smaller, work better, can do more things, and are much, much cheaper. This is the path all technology follows, and genetic engineering will be no different.

Conversely, has anyone here tried a Hainan island coconut? They are supposed to be the hardiest variety, but are hard to acquire due to an exportation ban. It would be interesting to test how hardy they really are.

[Davidl]

I think it would be cool to eat a chilled coco right off the tree but I guess I will have to wait a while for that.

[_Keith]

Everything we eat is genetically modified over thousands of years. Genetic engineering is just a different way to do it. Instead of constantly breeding plants to get a genetic change for a desired trait (while changing countless others), we can just put the gene for the trait in.

Selective breeding and genetic engineering are not the same thing at all. Do a little reading on Rape Seed crop for horror stories ranging from legal issues to super weeds and beyond.

[Zeeth]

Everything we eat is genetically modified over thousands of years. Genetic engineering is just a different way to do it. Instead of constantly breeding plants to get a genetic change for a desired trait (while changing countless others), we can just put the gene for the trait in.

Selective breeding and genetic engineering are not the same thing at all. Do a little reading on Rape Seed crop for horror stories ranging from legal issues to super weeds and beyond.

Please provide some links, as a google search of "canola genetic engineering" and "rapeseed genetic engineering" only turned up positives. I did note some talk about Monsanto suing people, but a big company suing people isn't new, and attaching that to Genetic engineering as a whole isn't really fair. I do agree that certain genomes shouldn't be patented though, as that just is asking for trouble.

[Paco]

Everything we eat is genetically modified over thousands of years. Genetic engineering is just a different way to do it. Instead of constantly breeding plants to get a genetic change for a desired trait (while changing countless others), we can just put the gene for the trait in.

Genetic engineering it is not "just a different way to genetically modify an organism" but pure power speculation. Ask any US farmer on corn, weat or soy production, and you will get the big picture. For most of them there is no choice anymore about growing GMOs because "natural" crops can't survive anymore in most of the US. GMOs pollen contaminates natural crops and they become GMO straight away. What happens next?? o well, very well thought US agriculture laws will prosecute any farmer growing GMOs(or contaminated crops) and not paying to Monsanto the "rights" of the patent, because some guys down there think that alive organisms can be patented... so I cant imagine anything worst happening to coconuts. I guess they could create sterile coconuts, but why to do so when you can own all coconuts palms in the planet... being a productive patent... you might think they will not be able to do it, but with most of the major investors and directors of Montsanto under the rule of US an UN governments that will be the first thing to happen as it has happened to corn, soy, rice and wheat. They seem not to have enough with a depressing obesity rate in the developed countries and the pharmaceutical industry behind it, next thing to come are "the terminator GMOs" already legal in the US where the plant "commits suicide" after the first crop...can you imagine all the rice production of the planet under the rule one company? Monsanto and Hitler where not that far apart from each other...

I like to keep seeing coconuts crossing oceans as they do today! I will like to keep seeing coconut sprouting on the beach! I will like to believe that farmers arround the tropics will still have the possibility to plant their own palms from their own seeds! not so keen on seeing coconuts as a Montsanto patent!! we had enough with corn...ask mexicans, they had thousands of varieties of corn, now they hybridize spontaneously with GMO corn...soon they all will have to buy their seeds to Monsanto as american farmers have.

Cocos x butia, Cocos x syagrus or Cocos x parajubaea that might be the "old" way of doing things, but holistically is a more respectful way.

Don't get me wrogn Keith but this is something we all should be very carefull about.

From another young Palm-aholic,

Cordiales saludos desde "la vieja Europa",

Paco

[Zeeth]

Everything we eat is genetically modified over thousands of years. Genetic engineering is just a different way to do it. Instead of constantly breeding plants to get a genetic change for a desired trait (while changing countless others), we can just put the gene for the trait in.

Genetic engineering it is not "just a different way to genetically modify an organism" but pure power speculation. Ask any US farmer on corn, weat or soy production, and you will get the big picture. For most of them there is no choice anymore about growing GMOs because "natural" crops can't survive anymore in most of the US. GMOs pollen contaminates natural crops and they become GMO straight away. What happens next?? o well, very well thought US agriculture laws will prosecute any farmer growing GMOs(or contaminated crops) and not paying to Monsanto the "rights" of the patent, because some guys down there think that alive organisms can be patented... so I cant imagine anything worst happening to coconuts. I guess they could create sterile coconuts, but why to do so when you can own all coconuts palms in the planet... being a productive patent... you might think they will not be able to do it, but with most of the major investors and directors of Montsanto under the rule of US an UN governments that will be the first thing to happen as it has happened to corn, soy, rice and wheat. They seem not to have enough with a depressing obesity rate in the developed countries and the pharmaceutical industry behind it, next thing to come are "the terminator GMOs" already legal in the US where the plant "commits suicide" after the first crop...can you imagine all the rice production of the planet under the rule one company? Monsanto and Hitler where not that far apart from each other...

I like to keep seeing coconuts crossing oceans as they do today! I will like to keep seeing coconut sprouting on the beach! I will like to believe that farmers arround the tropics will still have the possibility to plant their own palms from their own seeds! not so keen on seeing coconuts as a Montsanto patent!! we had enough with corn...ask mexicans, they had thousands of varieties of corn, now they hybridize spontaneously with GMO corn...soon they all will have to buy their seeds to Monsanto as american farmers have.

Cocos x butia, Cocos x syagrus or Cocos x parajubaea that might be the "old" way of doing things, but holistically is a more respectful way.

Don't get me wrogn Keith but this is something we all should be very carefull about.

From another young Palm-aholic,

Cordiales saludos desde "la vieja Europa",

Paco

I do agree with you about monsanto. I believe genetic engineering can be a great thing, but gene patenting needs to be made illegal so one company doesn't rule the whole market and so people dont get sued like they are being now.

[Turtile]

How does Monsanto's or any other company's practices make genetic engineering itself bad? I do agree that something needs to be done about the fact that someone's crop could be fertilized by genetically engineering plants and in turn sued without committing a crime. But this fact does not make genetic engineering bad. It's the businesses that are bad.

We need plant patents otherwise no one could afford to make new cultivars or any other form of modification. You can't patent any plant occurring in nature. For instance, if someone spent $100,000 developing a cold resistant coconut(through any method), do you think its fair that anyone can buy this person's plant and produce it without giving any compensation to the developer?

[merrill]

It isn't going to be easy to produce coconuts in temperate climes. A winter season will disrupt the cycle. Even Butia can't carry unripe seed thru a SO. GA. or NO. FL. winter; can one imagine Cocos carrying fruit through the winter? It's going to be extremely difficult to produce coconuts w/o year-round summer. I imagine others can find other detriments to cocos w/o year round summer.

Best Wishes,

merriill

[Alberto]

I wouldn't buy it or any fruit or fruit products from it. I don't want any more GMOs in my life. I am trying very hard to eliminate as many as possible.

I eat Butia nuts since I was a child. I don´t know why some´´cold hardines genes´´ from a Butia will make a coconut poisonous.... a GMO!!!

[millic]

The biggest threat is this palm escaping into the wild and disturbing the genome of natural coconuts. This could be solved by making the palm completely sterile. I believe the creators of the cold hardy coconut would make it sterile anyway, because if you are able to reproduce it on your own, you don't buy more and they make less money, therefore a sterile palm would be better on all parts.

Man this sounds like a new Jurassic Park Sequel.

Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.

[Zeeth]

The biggest threat is this palm escaping into the wild and disturbing the genome of natural coconuts. This could be solved by making the palm completely sterile. I believe the creators of the cold hardy coconut would make it sterile anyway, because if you are able to reproduce it on your own, you don't buy more and they make less money, therefore a sterile palm would be better on all parts.

Man this sounds like a new Jurassic Park Sequel.

Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.

I'm glad I'm the age that I am, as I was lucky enough to grow up with Jurassic park... The books were good too,

There's a difference between bringing back dinosaurs and giving the coconut 20 degrees more cold hardiness though. If they are sterile, there's absolutely no problem, no chance of Monsanto suing coconut plantations for their trees being infected with the new gene, no spreading into the wild, coconuts themselves are very environmentally friendly, they only grow in open spaces, they can only spread well in an area with a lot of water, they are hurricane, drought and flood resistant, etc etc. Bringing them into new environments won't do any harm, especially if they are sterile!

Keith

[Kathryn]

There's a difference between bringing back dinosaurs and giving the coconut 20 degrees more cold hardiness though.

Jurassic Park was fiction, but it does show how good intentions can go wrong. Creating organisms that don't exist in nature could have consequences that those with good intentions didn't think of.

Look at the measures some local, state, and federal governments take to prevent the introduction of foreign plants, animals, diseases, etc from having devastating effects in their areas.

Having to pay patent rights to grow genetically modified crops isn't the only legal issue associated with cross pollinating. GMO crops cross pollinating neighboring organic non-GMO crops would result in a drastic reduction in the value of the organic crops.

Do the benefits of genetic modification outweigh the risks? Only time will tell.

For now, I'll purchase organic non-GMO products whenever possible.

[ErikSJI]

When almost anyone pictures a palm tree, what is the first thing to come to mind? A tall skinny, curvy thing out on the beach with giant nuts drooping down, i.e. Cocos nucifers. This is the palm that is the epitome of the tropics. Unfortunately, most people live in areas where this palm can not grow. I believe there is a simple answer that would both put cash in the pockets of whoever does it and a smile on most of our faces, genetic modification. Once this avenue starts to be looked at, the coconut becomes relatively lucky, it has a close relative that is very hardy, the Butia genus. Presumably, cold hardiness lies within the genetic code, possibly ordering production of some sort of cellular antifreeze, or something similar to this. If this is the case, once the location of that particular gene on the genome is identified, it may be copied and inserted into the genome of the coconut. This would, if done correctly, produce a hardy coconut palm. The biggest threat is this palm escaping into the wild and disturbing the genome of natural coconuts. This could be solved by making the palm completely sterile. I believe the creators of the cold hardy coconut would make it sterile anyway, because if you are able to reproduce it on your own, you don't buy more and they make less money, therefore a sterile palm would be better on all parts. Growth rate can also be changed with genetic engineering, so a super fast growing palm (say, speed of pigafetta) wouldn't be out of the question. The biggest question that begs to be ask is when this will happen. Many scientists put the real explosion in wide spread use of genetic engineering in 7-15 years. The only reason it wouldn't happen would be lack of demand, but I don't think that will be a problem. Once this is introduced, I know I would be one of the first in line to buy one, and I believe many others, once they learn of the creation, would as well. Would any out there oppose the creation of such a palm? Who would buy one, and what price would you pay for a small one, like 3 gallon. I know this is all wishful thinking, but if someone had told you 20 years ago some of the things that would be possible (internet was, after all, only created in 1991, look where it is now!) you would scoff at them too, right?

Keith

Updated photos of my Butia x Cocos seedling still alive and kicking putting off its 6th leaf.

[Zeeth]

When almost anyone pictures a palm tree, what is the first thing to come to mind? A tall skinny, curvy thing out on the beach with giant nuts drooping down, i.e. Cocos nucifers. This is the palm that is the epitome of the tropics. Unfortunately, most people live in areas where this palm can not grow. I believe there is a simple answer that would both put cash in the pockets of whoever does it and a smile on most of our faces, genetic modification. Once this avenue starts to be looked at, the coconut becomes relatively lucky, it has a close relative that is very hardy, the Butia genus. Presumably, cold hardiness lies within the genetic code, possibly ordering production of some sort of cellular antifreeze, or something similar to this. If this is the case, once the location of that particular gene on the genome is identified, it may be copied and inserted into the genome of the coconut. This would, if done correctly, produce a hardy coconut palm. The biggest threat is this palm escaping into the wild and disturbing the genome of natural coconuts. This could be solved by making the palm completely sterile. I believe the creators of the cold hardy coconut would make it sterile anyway, because if you are able to reproduce it on your own, you don't buy more and they make less money, therefore a sterile palm would be better on all parts. Growth rate can also be changed with genetic engineering, so a super fast growing palm (say, speed of pigafetta) wouldn't be out of the question. The biggest question that begs to be ask is when this will happen. Many scientists put the real explosion in wide spread use of genetic engineering in 7-15 years. The only reason it wouldn't happen would be lack of demand, but I don't think that will be a problem. Once this is introduced, I know I would be one of the first in line to buy one, and I believe many others, once they learn of the creation, would as well. Would any out there oppose the creation of such a palm? Who would buy one, and what price would you pay for a small one, like 3 gallon. I know this is all wishful thinking, but if someone had told you 20 years ago some of the things that would be possible (internet was, after all, only created in 1991, look where it is now!) you would scoff at them too, right?

Keith

Updated photos of my Butia x Cocos seedling still alive and kicking putting off its 6th leaf.

This is growing in Washington? Make sure not to let it see too cold temperatures and protect it until at least it starts trunking. How fast have you observed it to be? I know that some hybrids like Butia X Parajubaea and the Foxy lady are faster than either parent because of hybrid vigor. It would be neat if it turns out that this is a fast growing cross. I'm seeing what I can do to get one of these to try out here, as I would be interested in what the adult plant looks like. Hopefully I am successful

Keith

[ErikSJI]

When almost anyone pictures a palm tree, what is the first thing to come to mind? A tall skinny, curvy thing out on the beach with giant nuts drooping down, i.e. Cocos nucifers. This is the palm that is the epitome of the tropics. Unfortunately, most people live in areas where this palm can not grow. I believe there is a simple answer that would both put cash in the pockets of whoever does it and a smile on most of our faces, genetic modification. Once this avenue starts to be looked at, the coconut becomes relatively lucky, it has a close relative that is very hardy, the Butia genus. Presumably, cold hardiness lies within the genetic code, possibly ordering production of some sort of cellular antifreeze, or something similar to this. If this is the case, once the location of that particular gene on the genome is identified, it may be copied and inserted into the genome of the coconut. This would, if done correctly, produce a hardy coconut palm. The biggest threat is this palm escaping into the wild and disturbing the genome of natural coconuts. This could be solved by making the palm completely sterile. I believe the creators of the cold hardy coconut would make it sterile anyway, because if you are able to reproduce it on your own, you don't buy more and they make less money, therefore a sterile palm would be better on all parts. Growth rate can also be changed with genetic engineering, so a super fast growing palm (say, speed of pigafetta) wouldn't be out of the question. The biggest question that begs to be ask is when this will happen. Many scientists put the real explosion in wide spread use of genetic engineering in 7-15 years. The only reason it wouldn't happen would be lack of demand, but I don't think that will be a problem. Once this is introduced, I know I would be one of the first in line to buy one, and I believe many others, once they learn of the creation, would as well. Would any out there oppose the creation of such a palm? Who would buy one, and what price would you pay for a small one, like 3 gallon. I know this is all wishful thinking, but if someone had told you 20 years ago some of the things that would be possible (internet was, after all, only created in 1991, look where it is now!) you would scoff at them too, right?

Keith

Updated photos of my Butia x Cocos seedling still alive and kicking putting off its 6th leaf.

This is growing in Washington? Make sure not to let it see too cold temperatures and protect it until at least it starts trunking. How fast have you observed it to be? I know that some hybrids like Butia X Parajubaea and the Foxy lady are faster than either parent because of hybrid vigor. It would be neat if it turns out that this is a fast growing cross. I'm seeing what I can do to get one of these to try out here, as I would be interested in what the adult plant looks like. Hopefully I am successful

Keith

I received the seedling as 3 leaf just putting off its fourth in May of this year. Now it is putting off its 6th at the beginning of november. It has been outdoors all summer until the beginning of October. Here is a photo for comparison. Butia X syagrus / Butia / Butia x cocos.