which Kind of Cocos Nucifera Palm is the most Cold Hardy ?

[Lior_Gal]

Hello Dear Friends,

I'm living in the center part of ISRAEL (Tel-Aviv), which is considered to be in

Hardyness Zones 10-11, Temps During Winter time are around 20-6 Celcius

And Humidity is around 35-40%, During Spring and Summer times Temps are

around 20-35 Celsius and Humidity is about 55-65%.

I have several Cocos Nucifera Species:

1. Hawaiian Tall.

2. Samoan Dwarf.

3. Malayan Green Dwarf.

4. Unidentified Species that originate from thailand

and i don't know what they are.

I wonder if you can tell me which Species of Coconut Palms Are

the Most Cold Hardy and Has a Chance to Survive in the Israeli

Climate and Maybe even bear fruits ?

Thanks for your Assistant,

Cheers,

Lior.

[Zeeth]

With your climate, you might want to look into one of the drought tolerant varieties, maybe the Indian West Coast tall, or it's descendant the Jamaican tall. Another one to try would be the Marinsow tall from Indonesia, which is adapted to drought and cold temperatures.

[Lior Gal]

Hello There Keith,

Thanks for you answer, But Drought isn't a problem here in Israel, The main problem is the Cold

Winter, Iv'e heard that Jamaican tall is a very delicate palm ...but i have to admit that I've never

heard about Indian Coast Tall or Marinsow tall, I will check them out.

Have a great weekend,

Cheers,

Lior.

[Brian Bruning]

I don't know how cold hardy they are but there are coconuts that tolerate very low humidity (Good for Elat?) in Oman. I'd love to get seeds for trials in Palm Springs. I know people have tried them there but they die off after a period of years when it either gets too cold or dry and they wind just desiccates the leaves. LA gets "Santa Ana" winds from time to time and even normal palms such as Archontos really get burned. LA is really too cool and wet except for a few special spots for coconuts. One guy had a small grown on the Salton Sea but when he died so did the palms - due to lack of irrigation. They only get 8cm of rain/yr there. Ground water is very localized and at the north end it is all a wild life preserve and off limits. I hear there are non-fruiting coconuts in Puerto Peñasco at the top of the Sea of Cortez. I think if we try we can get suitable seeds. Hear that Cristobal? Guaymas in Sonora Mex. has coconuts by the dozen and they do fruit. Check out the Hotel Mar de Cortez or the Club Med next door.

[Bigfish]

According to a couple of climate sites, Tel Aviv annual precipitation is between 535 mm (21 in.) to 562 mm rain/year. June through August rainfall is almost zero. This would be a limiting factor for Cocos nucifera.

[Brian Bruning]

As with citrus, mangoes and bananas in Israel drip irrigation would be necessary. Here we recycle waste water and it is sold as "purple pipe water" meaning non-potable but just fine for irrigation.