Can a coconut palm grow on the California Channel Islands?

[DoomsDave]

They do look nice.

California is full of contadictions climate wise.....warm enough to grow all sorts of cool stuff but because of cold water among other things not warm enough for Coconuts ......surfed out there years ago and was suprised how scorching hot the sand was....but the water was frigid.

We are a weird place, a warm land mass, protected from the cold continental air mass, on the edge of a cool/cold sea.

If you surfed in the winter, it's bizarre.

Summer is a lot warmer, especially near San Diego.

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

I still think that an inland area of San Diego, about 3 to 5 miles inland from the Pacific along a south facing wall would be an ideal spot to try a Mexican Tall, Hawaiian Tall from one of the northern Hawaiian Islands and from an elevation of about 2,000 to 3,000 ft. or a Jamaican Tall from Bermuda. An Indian Tall from northern India would probably be even better, but getting it past Customs and Homeland Insecurity would be impossible. Anyway in an area of San Diego like I mentioned would be far enough from the shoreline that it would get a little more warmth throughout the year than one planted near the shore like the Newport coconut was, and at the same time would still be close enough to the water to prevent it from suffering from the oppressive dry summer heat of the more inland desert areas.

[Yunder Wækraus]

I posted this opinion in an older thread, but here it is again: I had the opportunity to visit Santa Cruz Island a few times while living in Santa Barbara County, and I am 100% convinced that a coconut palm could survive in a protected spot in the arroyo near Scorpion anchorage. There is wind, but even in the dead of winter the rock in draw and the arroyo walls reflects heat and keeps the temps warm. My son almost got heat stroke when we took him there in January. There are parts of Santa Cruz Island that roast in the 100s in the summer and stay in the 70s all winter

[DoomsDave]

I posted this opinion in an older thread, but here it is again: I had the opportunity to visit Santa Cruz Island a few times while living in Santa Barbara County, and I am 100% convinced that a coconut palm could survive in a protected spot in the arroyo near Scorpion anchorage. There is wind, but even in the dead of winter the rock in draw and the arroyo walls reflects heat and keeps the temps warm. My son almost got heat stroke when we took him there in January. There are parts of Santa Cruz Island that roast in the 100s in the summer and stay in the 70s all winter

That sounds like a happy coconut home!

[_Keith]

No. Just returning to the thread topic, lol.

[Silas_Sancona]

I still think that an inland area of San Diego, about 3 to 5 miles inland from the Pacific along a south facing wall would be an ideal spot to try a Mexican Tall, Hawaiian Tall from one of the northern Hawaiian Islands and from an elevation of about 2,000 to 3,000 ft. or a Jamaican Tall from Bermuda. An Indian Tall from northern India would probably be even better, but getting it past Customs and Homeland Insecurity would be impossible. Anyway in an area of San Diego like I mentioned would be far enough from the shoreline that it would get a little more warmth throughout the year than one planted near the shore like the Newport coconut was, and at the same time would still be close enough to the water to prevent it from suffering from the oppressive dry summer heat of the more inland desert areas.

I posted this opinion in an older thread, but here it is again: I had the opportunity to visit Santa Cruz Island a few times while living in Santa Barbara County, and I am 100% convinced that a coconut palm could survive in a protected spot in the arroyo near Scorpion anchorage. There is wind, but even in the dead of winter the rock in draw and the arroyo walls reflects heat and keeps the temps warm. My son almost got heat stroke when we took him there in January. There are parts of Santa Cruz Island that roast in the 100s in the summer and stay in the 70s all winter

Now that the idea that Coconuts "can't be grown in CA" discussion has been largely laid to rest, the next several years/ few decades will be interesting seeing just how close to the coast someone successfully gets one to grow, let alone getting a better idea of where a general "Coconut Belt" might exist out west, and in Arizona.

As far as growing coconuts on any one of the Islands, fully believe that there are likely a few primo spots just waiting to be exploited for their micro climate potential.

While both sides of any discussion have merit, the " it is not possible" side of the coin is more likely to win out in San Francisco or Seattle than down in San Diego, Palm Springs, or Phoenix. Plenty of inspiration out there to pick up a couple and give 'em a try. Ultimate success is just a matter of time, trial and error, ..and conclusions made from all the notes taken along the way. And yes, post your journey.

-Nathan

[Danilopez89]

I still think that an inland area of San Diego, about 3 to 5 miles inland from the Pacific along a south facing wall would be an ideal spot to try a Mexican Tall, Hawaiian Tall from one of the northern Hawaiian Islands and from an elevation of about 2,000 to 3,000 ft. or a Jamaican Tall from Bermuda. An Indian Tall from northern India would probably be even better, but getting it past Customs and Homeland Insecurity would be impossible. Anyway in an area of San Diego like I mentioned would be far enough from the shoreline that it would get a little more warmth throughout the year than one planted near the shore like the Newport coconut was, and at the same time would still be close enough to the water to prevent it from suffering from the oppressive dry summer heat of the more inland desert areas.

I posted this opinion in an older thread, but here it is again: I had the opportunity to visit Santa Cruz Island a few times while living in Santa Barbara County, and I am 100% convinced that a coconut palm could survive in a protected spot in the arroyo near Scorpion anchorage. There is wind, but even in the dead of winter the rock in draw and the arroyo walls reflects heat and keeps the temps warm. My son almost got heat stroke when we took him there in January. There are parts of Santa Cruz Island that roast in the 100s in the summer and stay in the 70s all winter

Now that the idea that Coconuts "can't be grown in CA" discussion has been largely laid to rest, the next several years/ few decades will be interesting seeing just how close to the coast someone successfully gets one to grow, let alone getting a better idea of where a general "Coconut Belt" might exist out west, and in Arizona.

As far as growing coconuts on any one of the Islands, fully believe that there are likely a few primo spots just waiting to be exploited for their micro climate potential.

While both sides of any discussion have merit, the " it is not possible" side of the coin is more likely to win out in San Francisco or Seattle than down in San Diego, Palm Springs, or Phoenix. Plenty of inspiration out there to pick up a couple and give 'em a try. Ultimate success is just a matter of time, trial and error, ..and conclusions made from all the notes taken along the way. And yes, post your journey.

-Nathan

AMEN!

[Coconutman]

I still think that an inland area of San Diego, about 3 to 5 miles inland from the Pacific along a south facing wall would be an ideal spot to try a Mexican Tall, Hawaiian Tall from one of the northern Hawaiian Islands and from an elevation of about 2,000 to 3,000 ft. or a Jamaican Tall from Bermuda. An Indian Tall from northern India would probably be even better, but getting it past Customs and Homeland Insecurity would be impossible. Anyway in an area of San Diego like I mentioned would be far enough from the shoreline that it would get a little more warmth throughout the year than one planted near the shore like the Newport coconut was, and at the same time would still be close enough to the water to prevent it from suffering from the oppressive dry summer heat of the more inland desert areas.

I posted this opinion in an older thread, but here it is again: I had the opportunity to visit Santa Cruz Island a few times while living in Santa Barbara County, and I am 100% convinced that a coconut palm could survive in a protected spot in the arroyo near Scorpion anchorage. There is wind, but even in the dead of winter the rock in draw and the arroyo walls reflects heat and keeps the temps warm. My son almost got heat stroke when we took him there in January. There are parts of Santa Cruz Island that roast in the 100s in the summer and stay in the 70s all winter

Now that the idea that Coconuts "can't be grown in CA" discussion has been largely laid to rest, the next several years/ few decades will be interesting seeing just how close to the coast someone successfully gets one to grow, let alone getting a better idea of where a general "Coconut Belt" might exist out west, and in Arizona.

As far as growing coconuts on any one of the Islands, fully believe that there are likely a few primo spots just waiting to be exploited for their micro climate potential.

While both sides of any discussion have merit, the " it is not possible" side of the coin is more likely to win out in San Francisco or Seattle than down in San Diego, Palm Springs, or Phoenix. Plenty of inspiration out there to pick up a couple and give 'em a try. Ultimate success is just a matter of time, trial and error, ..and conclusions made from all the notes taken along the way. And yes, post your journey.

-Nathan

Cool...in a matter of time.

[Sandy Loam]

While we're talking about the Channel Islands off the coast of California, here is something of interest:

http://www.catalinaconservancy.org/index.php?s=support&p=santa_cruz_island_day_trip

The island that everyone visits is, of course, Santa Catalina Island, because that is where the ferries travel. It is therefore a rare opportunity to visit the other Channel Islands featured in the link above. Apparently, the conservancy has organized a special one-day-only trip on the 1 August for those interested.

[Yunder Wækraus]

This is the spot I visted 3x while in grad school. I was on a very tight budget, and I just couldn't afford to go more. But there's something very special about that island. My good friend is an expert on the now-extinct Chumash languages which were spoken on the coast and the islands in Santa Barbara and Ventura, and Santa Cruz Island had its own language and a history of human occupation going back at least 10,000 years! The island used to have pygmy mammoths, and it still has some strange things, including an oversized blue jay, a tiny fox, and (together with the other northern and southern members of the Channel Islands) remnant stands of subtropical "ironwood" trees (really an evergreen, flowering tree with dense wood almost as hard as ironwood).

If any of y'all can visit Scorpion Anchorage, you should absolutely do it. But rent a kayak first! (Water visibility was in excess of 60' when I visited, and it was literally like floating over an aquarium.)

[Jimhardy]

There are some Coconut trees growing in Palm Springs...

http://i61.tinypic.com/2wnw75h.jpg

Edited June 30, 2015 by Jimhardy

[DeletedAccount14e83d09a24f]

There are some Coconut trees growing in Palm Springs...

http://i61.tinypic.com/2wnw75h.jpg

There is one on that photo, the others are Syagrus. Anyways that Palm Desert coconut got recently ripped off

[DeletedAccount14e83d09a24f]

OP not, is not possible to grow any coconut in any part of Santa Catalina.

If they can grow on 34ºN Santa Catalina they will grow on 39ºN Ibiza island.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Catalina_Island,_California#Climate

Also the record temperature was -2ºC so I don't know if the island is 10b or 11a.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibiza#Climate

Both climates are very very similar during winters but springs, summers and autumns are far warmer (specially spring and summer are a lot hotter) in Ibiza; which makes it better for a coconut.

But not, a Coconut can't grow on Ibiza. It would grow perfectly I think if someone is really interested in growing one, because it only would need protection about 3-4 months but if you look at both climate charts you will see that +19.5ºC/67ºF averages in Santa Catalina occur only 4 months a year while in Ibiza occurs 8 months a year; and also the rain amount is very similar.

And also Ibiza has a similar phenomenon to the famous american "indian summer" which lets winters with 70-75 during January and some days with 75-80 during February occur every year. In March it's not hard to see 80-85ºF

Edited June 30, 2015 by pRoeZa*

[Danilopez89]

There are some Coconut trees growing in Palm Springs...

http://i61.tinypic.com/2wnw75h.jpg

Not anymore...

[Coconutman]

Wow, I like how this discussion is going everywhere, not just on the Channel Islands!

I agree that the idea of a coconut in these islands may seem disdain, but just like how the Coachella ones can survive (well just one for now), I think that in a proper protected spot in Avalon or on the isthmus of Two harbors they're worth a shot.Who can say that they weren't tried before