can COCONUTS grow in Lima, Peru?

[sebasroch]

help, recomendations, opinions...

[Miccles]

Hi,

Lima looks to be almost the same distance from the equator as Darwin (approx 12 Deg). (Darwin has plenty of coconuts growing around the place). Lima looks as though it's a coastal city, but overall seems to have a large range of elevation - this could be a major issue.

However, it looks like a huge problem would be lack of water. Lima gets virtually no rainfall. Lima gets roughly 13-40mm of rainfall a year...(Darwin gets over 1700mm.)

Also the winter max temps don't reach 20C, which I have heard is the magic number for Cocos.

Considering the hugely wide-spread nature of coconuts, I guess if they could grow in Lima, they already would be.

Sadly, I would say NO - not without a lot of supplemental help.

Regards

Michael

[Darold Petty]

The short answer, no ! When I visited Lima I was quite disappointed by the poor level of landscaping, even in the upscale area of Miraflores. The most common palms in urban areas of coastal Peru are Phoenix and Washingtonia.

[Bae72]

Lima is only 12 degrees from the equator? Hombre, dale de beber agua y veras!

Plenty of water should do the trick.

Edited June 13, 2011 by Bae72

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

Based on the weather stats... they should be able to grow there.

The average lowest temp during the coldest month... July, is only 58f to 60f degrees.... With very little change.

Something like Bermuda.

[Tyrone]

The ocean temps are very cold there for an area so close to the equator. Also it's in the Andes rainshadow. It could be done if someone was going to create the right microclimate, but without irrigation it simply wouldn't grow. Even if irrigated the cool temps would mean it would never be an easy to grow landscaping palm. Maybe some people could accidentally jag the right microclimate though. Reportedly it's a very cloudy city especially in winter, so if that is the case the coconut would struggle with those max temps in winter.

Best regards

Tyrone

[sebasroch]

hi to all, here in lima there are coconut trees but not a lot, they survive in winter with slow growth, it almost the same temp of bermuda in winter, but without rainfall

[Jeff Searle]

The short answer, no ! When I visited Lima I was quite disappointed by the poor level of landscaping, even in the upscale area of Miraflores. The most common palms in urban areas of coastal Peru are Phoenix and Washingtonia.

I also went there twice, and can't remember seeing any. Especially on the beaches. I always say there's a good reason when you don't see something.....

[Tyrone]

Well there you go. Do they fruit in Lima?

Best regards

Tyrone

[Dalmatino]

hi to all, here in lima there are coconut trees but not a lot, they survive in winter with slow growth, it almost the same temp of bermuda in winter, but without rainfall

Isn't that the answer at your own question?

Greets.

[sebasroch]

jajaja yeah but i mean to fruit, all i saw any of them were fruiting, i want to fruit them

[Kathryn]

Anytime someone asks "will coconut palms grow here", the answer is pretty much no. If coconut palms aren't already growing there, chances are that they won't. This is the quint quintessential palm - anywhere that it can grow, it probably already is growing.

[Zeeth]

This subject brings to mind an interesting question. What's the closest to the equator (at more or less sea level) that coconuts can't be grown?

[Tyrone]

This subject brings to mind an interesting question. What's the closest to the equator (at more or less sea level) that coconuts can't be grown?

Oh No, now you're just messing with my head with that sort of question.

[Al in Kona]

This subject brings to mind an interesting question. What's the closest to the equator (at more or less sea level) that coconuts can't be grown?

My guess would probably be somewhere a little further south in Peru due to the very cold ocean current and long periods of cloudy foggy very cool temperatures.

[sebasroch]

yes , that the problem , the ocean is cool

[Bae72]

yes , that the problem , the ocean is cool

Have you considered heating it?

[sebasroch]

well actually , we are having a warm winter, with maxium temps around 23 to 25°C and miniums around 18 - 19

[Bae72]

well actually , we are having a warm winter, with maxium temps around 23 to 25°C and miniums around 18 - 19

I meant heat the ocean. Warm water gives higher humidity. It might up your power-bill somewhat however. Still, coconuts merit to cost.

[John in Andalucia]

Funny thread! I think coconuts would survive in Lima without too much effort. Just buy a few healthy seedlings in from the selva. It's the "effort" that separates the palm enthusiasts from the city landscapers.

[trioderob]

This subject brings to mind an interesting question. What's the closest to the equator (at more or less sea level) that coconuts can't be grown?

ERROR

Edited June 20, 2011 by trioderob

[John in Andalucia]

This subject brings to mind an interesting question. What's the closest to the equator (at more or less sea level) that coconuts can't be grown?

ERROR

On the flipside, "How far from the equator (at more or less sea level) can coconuts be grown?" The question was as challenging as the answer, because Zeeth is a coconut enthusiast.

[sebasroch]

yeah but we have high humidity the problem is thee maxiums temps. and heat

[sebasroch]

heey , i forgot, i saw a coconut like 70 km south of lima, and was growing and have like the flower with the little coconuts on it

[Dave-Vero]

It looks as though Polynesians brought coconuts to the Pacific side of Panamá before the Spanish did, so coconuts might well have traveled far to the south, very early.

Henderson, et al. "Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas" shows the range of coconut extending most of the way through Perú.

[sebasroch]

ill check it