Hey everyone. I don't usually post alot but I do read this forum everyday. I have always wanted to grow my own coconut palm and eat fresh home grown coconuts with out having to move south etc.I live in California's Central Valley which gets very hot and dry in the summer and has mild winters. i know they won't make it outside with out help.I have been growing coconut palms as indoor/out door palms for about 5 or so years. For those of you attempting growing coconut palms in the valley what are your experiences?

Here are some of my questions. Is about 6 fronds a year ok growth? And is their enough heat here for a coconut palm to flower outside? Lets say winter is solved by a green house but its outside in warmer weather. I don't see the point in having to cool a green house down and I don't have the problem with putting it up and taking it down every year if I needed to. I know its a challenge and thats what keeps it interesting at least for me. I would get bored only growing queens, washy's, majesty's etc. Pushing the limits as far as you can go keeps fueling your intrest in palms That said, what you guys thinks?

- US_Marine

Edited June 15, 201213 yr by US_Marine

I've tried it all.

If you have good results growing them as an indoor /outdoor plant then thats as good as it gets.

I've tried getting them to survive outdors with the pot sitting on a heating mat... they still die.

Our soil temps are below 50f from early Dec to march, Coconuts require soil to be near or above 60f and daytime air temps above 68f most of the time. That just doesn't happen here until late feb.

That said there are several other very tropical looking palms that do well here. Parajubea Sunka and Dypsis Decipiens, Dypsis Baronii.

King palms do grow here once estabished but they look ratty for several months per year due to winter cold below 32f.

Jeff

Edited June 15, 201213 yr by Jeff in Modesto

mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm

Try a few Beccariophoenix alfredii.

A number of them have made it through our winters but a number have died (without canopy).

They seem to handle cold if under winter cover while young.

Not sure what's going to happen when they get bigger.

They love our hot summers but keep the water on them.

Your coconut will probably join a long list of palms that have met their fate here.

Its not a short vlast of cold weather(30 degrees0 its more than a week or two below 40 at night and not above 55 inthe day thats gets them

Thanks for the comments everyone, but like I said before they wont be outside in winter unprotected. So the cold weather isnt a problem in a green house or other heated structure, right? They will only be outside when its warm above 70f for highs and 50f's for lows.

- US_Marine

I can't see why it can't be done...they grow well in much cooler climates with a permanent greenhouse over them. From everyone's experience here, seems that if you are going to plant in-ground, then the soil should be deep and very sandy, as well as heated to keep temperature above 65F. Plenty of winter sun and greenhouse warmth, then in the spring take off the greenhouse, but leave the soil heated until it can stay above 65F on its own accord. I think the warm soil and as much light/sun as possible will be the key to success, as wel as obviously keeping the air temp above 50F for best results. Lower air temp would equal leaf spotting..