Should I Buy This 15 Gal. Green Malayan Dwarf Coconut Palm?

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

Hi Everyone,

A local palm nursery is willing to sell me their last Green Malayan Dwarf Coconut Palm (it's the only coconut palm they have now) for $140 (the regular price is $189).  It is in a 15 gal. pot, is about 10ft. tall in overall height, and has about 2ft. of woody trunk.  It is really stunted for its age and has been in the pot too long, and probably should have been planted in the ground 6 months to a year ago, it has some penciling of the top of the trunk just below the crown, and the whole top part of the root ball has been exposed for some time now.  The crown looks decent and has a new leaf opening as well as a new spear coming up.  The size and age it is, it should start flowering and producing its first nuts in about a year after putting it in the ground if I can nurse it back to a good growing condition.  I really want it, but think that $140 is an excessive price for the overall condition it's in.  What do you think?  And can it grow out of the penciling or will it always have a narrow spot at that part of the trunk?

Thanks,

John

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1745889412319950&set=pcb.470471369816474&type=3&relevant_count=3

[palmfriend]

John,

the crown looks indeed very good and I think it would do well when you put in the ground and keep an eye on it

for the first months, but I doubt that the narrow part of the trunk will disappear. We have coconut palms over here -

I don`t have a photo at hand - with narrow spotted trunks. I am seeing those palms for years now and their

trunk`s shape hasn`t changed at all while getting taller. To be honest, it is not really looking so good, so I would pass

this time. If you can push the price down to $100, I would consider it but not for $140.....

Just my opinion.

best regards

 

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

I would not buy it here in South Florida because we have a greater selection and can find really nice ones.  I don't know what the supply of coconuts is like there in CC.  It might fatten up a little bit but will always have a narrower base than it should have.  In strong winds, like tropical storms or worse, tall Malayan Dwarfs with a narrow base like that will snap off at ground level.

 

My advice is to find a tall variety, Jamaican/Panama tall or Maypan, and get it in the ground early.  They develop a much fatter base.  The base of this tall at Fairchilds is more than 3' wide.

[Brad Mondel]

I wouldn't do it and I'll tell you why:

1. The palm has penciling which indicates it hasn't been properly trimmed and maintained at the nursery. Who knows what else could be wrong?  The penciling will never go away and there will always be a weak spot in the trunk, the coconut crown will snap off during high winds once it gets some height. 

2. The roots are probably extremely congested and root bound. The overall health of the palm for the price doesn't seem like a good deal. Don't let a discount trick you into saving the palm. Take your money elsewhere and find a healthy, well maintained coconut. 

 

Edited May 19, 2016 by Brad Mondel

[empireo22]

if you could get it for less than 40 I would say do it. and the penciling will never go away. but that doesn't mean it wont develop into a nice palm. by the way your maypans and Jamaican talls will pass this one up in size in year or so. so its really not worth it unless you can get dirt cheap.

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

54 minutes ago, Jerry@TreeZoo said:

I would not buy it here in South Florida because we have a greater selection and can find really nice ones.  I don't know what the supply of coconuts is like there in CC.  It might fatten up a little bit but will always have a narrower base than it should have.  In strong winds, like tropical storms or worse, tall Malayan Dwarfs with a narrow base like that will snap off at ground level.

 

My advice is to find a tall variety, Jamaican/Panama tall or Maypan, and get it in the ground early.  They develop a much fatter base.  The base of this tall at Fairchilds is more than 3' wide.

It's the only one available here right now.  The same nursery had about a dozen of them a couple of years ago, but this is their last one left.  No other nurseries here carry them now, and only one small nursery in the Rio Grande Valley has one as of about a month and a half ago, but it is over 2 hours south of me.

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

56 minutes ago, palmfriend said:

John,

the crown looks indeed very good and I think it would do well when you put in the ground and keep an eye on it

for the first months, but I doubt that the narrow part of the trunk will disappear. We have coconut palms over here -

I don`t have a photo at hand - with narrow spotted trunks. I am seeing those palms for years now and their

trunk`s shape hasn`t changed at all while getting taller. To be honest, it is not really looking so good, so I would pass

this time. If you can push the price down to $100, I would consider it but not for $140.....

Just my opinion.

best regards

 

Lars, the crown does look pretty good in fact for such a root bound palm, and it has a healthy good looking new leaf opening and a healthy new spear coming up.

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

20 minutes ago, Brad Mondel said:

I wouldn't do it and I'll tell you why:

1. The palm has penciling which indicates it hasn't been properly trimmed and maintained at the nursery. Who knows what else could be wrong?  The penciling will never go away and there will always be a weak spot in the trunk, the coconut crown will snap off during high winds once it gets some height. 

2. The roots are probably extremely congested and root bound. The overall health of the palm for the price doesn't seem like a good deal. Don't let a discount trick you into saving the palm. Take your money elsewhere and find a healthy, well maintained coconut. 

 

There is only slight penciling as can be seen when looking at it in person, and the crown looks pretty good with a healthy new leaf opening and a robust healthy new spear coming up.  I have seen root bound palms recover and start growing nicely after being put in the ground with proper care, and this is the ONLY one for sale now in Corpus Christi, with only one other one available in the Rio Grande Valley a month and a half ago at a nursery that is over 2 hours south of me.

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

15 minutes ago, empireo22 said:

if you could get it for less than 40 I would say do it. and the penciling will never go away. but that doesn't mean it wont develop into a nice palm. by the way your maypans and Jamaican talls will pass this one up in size in year or so. so its really not worth it unless you can get dirt cheap.

Alex, I realize the Jamaican and Maypan will surpass it pretty quickly but for a chance to get one to fruit pretty soon, I thought this would be my best (only) bet, which is why I am so interested in this one, plus it has made it through some pretty chilly damp winters here, with only a little protection in a half ass greenhouse the nursery puts up in the winter, so I think it has been fairly hardened off to some chilly weather here.

[Brad Mondel]

Well, if you must have it then just keep an eye on it. If I wanted a palm enough I would get it even if I had to deal with some issues. It would be interesting to see you rescue the palm however! A great before and after thread. It would be awesome to see what happens once you baby it. Coconuts soon? 

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

3 minutes ago, Brad Mondel said:

Well, if you must have it then just keep an eye on it. If I wanted a palm enough I would get it even if I had to deal with some issues. It would be interesting to see you rescue the palm however! A great before and after thread. It would be awesome to see what happens once you baby it. Coconuts soon? 

Hey Brad,

That's what I was thinking.  It would make for an interesting thread here with before and after photos and updates.  Since I went ALL ORGANIC four and a half years ago, my palms and all my plants are doing 3 times better than they ever were with chemical fertilizers and pesticides.  I think with the MicroLife (you can look it up for a good description of it) 8-4-6 Ultimate All Biological Organic Fertilizer with over 70 minerals and micronutrients as a granular slow release and their MicroLife Ocean Harvest 4-2-3 as a foliar spray, I think I can have it looking great by September!  If we have a mild winter, I would expect it to be flowering by this time next year with its first coconuts on it by later next year.  If I could get a few viable nuts from it that will sprout, I would be very happy and the price and work getting it to recover would be well worth it!

John

[empireo22]

12 minutes ago, Mr. Coconut Palm said:

Alex, I realize the Jamaican and Maypan will surpass it pretty quickly but for a chance to get one to fruit pretty soon, I thought this would be my best (only) bet, which is why I am so interested in this one, plus it has made it through some pretty chilly damp winters here, with only a little protection in a half ass greenhouse the nursery puts up in the winter, so I think it has been fairly hardened off to some chilly weather here.

even though its trunking still might take 2 years before it fruits and roughly another year to mature. you really need the 2 years to get established in the ground before it starts fruiting. it might flower and abort them in the mean time. do you think you could get it for 100?

[Cluster]

Hm the pencilling is quite recent, is there a small chance it is still developing a bit around that area? Still ti does not look that thin.

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

20 minutes ago, empireo22 said:

even though its trunking still might take 2 years before it fruits and roughly another year to mature. you really need the 2 years to get established in the ground before it starts fruiting. it might flower and abort them in the mean time. do you think you could get it for 100?

Alex,

The employee I know there said that if I come by after 4:00pm on Friday, she might be able to let me have it for $130.  I think I would be lucky to get it for $120, but I don't think I could get it for any lower than that, although a couple of years ago, when the same nursery still had a few of them left, I was able to get an even better looking one for only $100 when she was working, so it's possible.  If we have two mild winters the next two winters, I would be willing to wait two years for nuts.

John

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

12 minutes ago, Cluster said:

Hm the pencilling is quite recent, is there a small chance it is still developing a bit around that area? Still ti does not look that thin.

Hi Pedro,

The penciling isn't what I would call bad, but it was a little concerning for me.  I think with my Microlife All Organic 8-4-6 Ultimate fertilizer that has over 70 micronutrients and minerals along with their Ocean Harvest 4-2-3 (nicknamed "Lazarus Juice"), along with some good organic compost and my all organic native hardwood mulch, I can get it looking great by September.  I would even be willing to take bets on it!

John

[Cluster]

Maybe you should accept the challenge and save this baby coconut, but try lowering the price :). I feel you want to save it and study how it will improve. 

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

6 minutes ago, Cluster said:

Maybe you should accept the challenge and save this baby coconut, but try lowering the price :). I feel you want to save it and study how it will improve. 

I agree.

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

The next question I have for all of you is since I am determined to get the Green Malayan Dwarf, do I plant it outside my bedroom window up by the house only a few feet away from the wall (which faces west northwest- I don't have any space left on the south side of my house to plant it unless I plant it about 20ft. from the house right next to my 8ft. tall Sea Grape right along the ditch), or do I plant it adjacent to my 4ft. tall and 8ft. long compost pile at the north corner of the yard, but just south of my Florida Strangler Fig that has rocketed up 3ft. just since I planted it in January, when it was only 1.5ft. tall?  If it's roots tap into those rich nutrients in the soil below the compost pile, it might start rocketing up and out (trunk getting thicker quick) just like my Strangler Fig has!

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

If I plant it adjacent to my big compost pile, it might stay a few degrees warmer in the winter. both soil temp wise and air temp wise, since compost as it breaks down really heats up!

[Las Palmas Norte]

41 minutes ago, Mr. Coconut Palm said:

Alex,

The employee I know there said that if I come by after 4:00pm on Friday, she might be able to let me have it for $130.  I think I would be lucky to get it for $120, but I don't think I could get it for any lower than that, although a couple of years ago, when the same nursery still had a few of them left, I was able to get an even better looking one for only $100 when she was working, so it's possible.  If we have two mild winters the next two winters, I would be willing to wait two years for nuts.

John

Last one on the property ... no brainer. Flash a C note and if no one bites, walk. Maybe leave phone number with them if they reconsider.

Cheers, Barrie.

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

3 minutes ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

Last one on the property ... no brainer. Flash a C note and if no one bites, walk. Maybe leave phone number with them if they reconsider.

Cheers, Barrie.

Thanks.

[palmsOrl]

If I lived in Texas and had the cash to spare, I would definitely buy it.  As others have said, I don't know how difficult larger Cocos are to source in South Texas.  If they are as abundant as in Southern FL, I might hold out for one without the trunk issues.

My Cocos landscaping plan here in Orlando includes mostly talls, a few of likely hybrid origin, and 5 Malayan dwarfs that were purchased before I decided to utilize mostly talls (15 total in the ground).  I must say though that my largest, healthiest Cocos at this time is a green Malayan that was purchased in 2001 and kept potted and stunted using bonsai techniques.  It was obvious about 3 years ago that this tree was ready for bigger and better things, so I put it in the ground and it has really taken off.  It stands about 10 feet tall.  I found the perfect microclimate for it on the SE corner of the house between the house and the greenhouse.  This palm will never have to freeze, as in coming years I can get on the roof to facilitate protection when and if necessary.

Bottom line though, the tall varieties tend to be slightly more cold/freeze hardy than the dwarfs (by 1-2 deg F?).  Around here, this could mean the difference between long term success or failure.  In my opinion, talls are also more attractive in form, but I like any coconut palm that is alive!

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

2 minutes ago, palmsOrl said:

If I lived in Texas and had the cash to spare, I would definitely buy it.  As others have said, I don't know how difficult larger Cocos are to source in South Texas.  If they are as abundant as in Southern FL, I might hold out for one without the trunk issues.

My Cocos landscaping plan here in Orlando includes mostly talls, a few of likely hybrid origin, and 5 Malayan dwarfs that were purchased before I decided to utilize mostly talls (15 total in the ground).  I must say though that my largest, healthiest Cocos at this time is a green Malayan that was purchased in 2001 and kept potted and stunted using bonsai techniques.  It was obvious about 3 years ago that this tree was ready for bigger and better things, so I put it in the ground and it has really taken off.  It stands about 10 feet tall.  I found the perfect microclimate for it on the SE corner of the house between the house and the greenhouse.  This palm will never have to freeze, as in coming years I can get on the roof to facilitate protection when and if necessary.

Bottom line though, the tall varieties tend to be slightly more cold/freeze hardy than the dwarfs (by 1-2 deg F?).  Around here, this could mean the difference between long term success or failure.  In my opinion, talls are also more attractive in form, but I like any coconut palm that is alive!

Hi William,

That's just it, they aren't very available at all.  90% of the time, we have to resort to sprouting our own from coconuts we collect off the beach or get some little sprouts sent to us from Florida or Hawaii in the mail.  This is definitely the biggest one available now in South Texas, and like I said above, as of about a month and a half ago, only one other nursery coconut palm was available, and that on is for $80 and smaller I am sure at a nursery in San Benito in the Rio Grande Valley over 2 hours to the south of me.  This one, I think will snap out of any issues it has when I get it in the ground with my high quality MicroLife Organic Fertilizer, 8-4-6 with over 70 minerals and micronutrients as well as applying their Ocean Harvest 4-2-3 as a foliar spray.  These organic fertilizers get GREAT results fast.  I also think for those of us growing them in marginal areas (South Texas Coast, land Central Florida like Orlando, and Southern California) that the talls are our best bet, and I have a Mexican Tall, a new baby Jamaican Tall, a Panama Tall, a Maypan, a Maymex hybrid cross between the Malayan and Mexican Tall, a Yellow Malayan, and a new baby Golden Malayan in my yard too for a total of 7 different varieties.  I really like this Green Malayan because of its size and age, it should start flowering and fruiting within the next year or two, so in order to get my first nuts on a palm sooner, I would have to get an older more mature palm like that one.  How much trunk does your Green Malayan have?  Has it started flowering yet?

John

[topwater]

I think you've already made your mind up, but I'd definitely get it if I were you.  I think the roots are a non-issue, can't really see the trunk penciling that well, but I bet it takes off when it hits the ground.  Congrats, and keep us updated!

 

 

 

[Danilopez89]

Better hurry up and buy it before someone else does. Lol

It looks like a nice looking palm. Just kept in a pot too long though. Hopefully it's not rooted into the ground already. 

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

3 hours ago, topwater said:

I think you've already made your mind up, but I'd definitely get it if I were you.  I think the roots are a non-issue, can't really see the trunk penciling that well, but I bet it takes off when it hits the ground.  Congrats, and keep us updated!

 

 

 

Thanks.  I will.

 

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

1 hour ago, Danilopez89 said:

Better hurry up and buy it before someone else does. Lol

It looks like a nice looking palm. Just kept in a pot too long though. Hopefully it's not rooted into the ground already. 

It's not.  The employee that's going to sell it to me tomorrow moved it the other day while I watched, and it hasn't rooted to the ground, which is good, because I have bought some Royal Palms from guy who has a backyard nursery in the RGV that were rooted to the ground, and one took a while to recover as he basically ripped it out of the ground, and the other one died.  I wanted both of those palms because they were bigger and more robust than the others.  Now I know why, because they had rooted to the ground, and just like palms and all plants that are deliberately planted in the ground, they start to really take off then.