Yellow Coconut Palm, Miami, Florida

[amstuart]

Hi:

I have several mature Yellow Coconut Palms in my yard. I have grown quite a few young shoots from the coconut fruit, patiently placing a de-husked coconut in a ziplock bag with a bit of water and watching a tap root and shoot eventually emerge from one of the three holes. Planted into the ground, I have 6 growing trees to show for my effort. Once in a while, a squirrel goes to town on a growing shoot and eats through the shoot and it separates from the coconut husk. Is there any use in trying to plant the separated shoot in potted soil, or if the shoot separates from the husk (and milk and tap root) the shoot will die regardless? I have a shoot with 4 wide, green fronds, almost 8" tall, and a squirrel had his way. I have used mesh screen to cover the very young emerging shoot, but at some point (i.e., 8") the palm is too tall and I have to remove the mesh.

Thanks.

Adam

amstuart@sprintmail.com

[Zeeth]

Once the squirrel chews the shoot away it's dead. You might find it easier to grow the palm in a pot until it has fully pinnate leaves, then planting it in the ground It might be easier to protect it if you do this.

[waykoolplantz]

these grow where they fall...youre working too hard at this