Coconut Question

[MDPalm]

I was in Florida (Keys) and saw some green coconuts laying on the ground so I picked up a few.  Just wondering if these could be planted?  Everything I read says to plant them with the husk.  One of the coconuts is starting to turn brown, but the rest are pretty much green.  So that got me to wondering the growth of a coconut.  Do they turn brown on the tree and what I got are just ones that fell before they formed the husk and not good for anything?

Thanks!

 

[mnorell]

The one turning brown is your best bet. Shake it and if you hear a splash of liquid you have a good chance. Pure green may be too immature. The rule is that you drink from a green cocos, the endosperm is liquid/jelly and edible but not mature. The brown cocos is used for its dense meat and these nuts usually are viable. Use the shake test and then half bury it in loose friable mulch in a relatively shady, moist, humid, warm place. If you are not in a tropical or warm-humid subtropical area you will need a greenhouse. Give it some months. But keep it well above 60f at all times. 

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

1 hour ago, MDPalm said:

I was in Florida (Keys) and saw some green coconuts laying on the ground so I picked up a few.  Just wondering if these could be planted?  Everything I read says to plant them with the husk.  One of the coconuts is starting to turn brown, but the rest are pretty much green.  So that got me to wondering the growth of a coconut.  Do they turn brown on the tree and what I got are just ones that fell before they formed the husk and not good for anything?

Thanks!

 

Hey Rick,

It depends on how big the coconuts are.  If they were close to maturing and turning ripe (when the husk is brown as opposed to green), then they may be viable.  I sprouted a beautiful Green Malayan Dwarf coconut palm from a green nut bought at a farmer's market in Bryan, TX back in 1999, but the nut was basically fully developed, but just hadn't ripened yet.  So I set it out in half day's sun for about 3 or 4 weeks until it browned up all the way around (this was in the summer), then I planted it on its side covering it about 2/3 of the way with potting soil in either a 3 gal. or 5 gal. size pot, I forget which, and set it out in full sun, watering it about every other day, and within a couple of months, it sprouted.  The key is the nut has to basically be full grown or close to it, even if it is green, and then you have to let it set out in the sun to brown up first before planting it.  Once it has browned up, you should be able to shake it and hear the milk sloshing around in it.  The milk is what the sprout lives off of for about the first 7 to 8 months while the roots are developing.  Since it is chilly in Maryland this time of year, I would suggest placing it inside next to a sunny south or west facing window until browns up, then planting it like I said above (just not setting it outside until spring).  Make sure it gets a lot of warm sunshine by the window, but only water it about once every 5 days or so inside until it sprouts, then you can taper off on the watering till about once a week until you set it outside in the warmer months.  During the warmer months (80'sF and 90'sF,) put it outside in full sun and water it every other day or so.

John

[MDPalm]

Thanks.  I went and looked at them again, I hadn't looked at them since I got home Monday.  Most of them have do have brown, not sure why I thought all of them were green.  Anyway in a few I can hear sloshing, some I hear nothing.  I will take a picture tomorrow when the light is better.

I currently have 2 coconuts that I got already growing but never tried starting it myself.

 

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

47 minutes ago, MDPalm said:

Thanks.  I went and looked at them again, I hadn't looked at them since I got home Monday.  Most of them have do have brown, not sure why I thought all of them were green.  Anyway in a few I can hear sloshing, some I hear nothing.  I will take a picture tomorrow when the light is better.

I currently have 2 coconuts that I got already growing but never tried starting it myself.

 

You're welcome.

[ThatPalmGuy]

I know of someone who grew a coconut from seed (so he says)  but he planted it 30 miles south of me and it died in 2 years due to cold

[donalt]

Only choose brown coconuts with liquid in them. Leave on husk. Plant pointed side down, leaving at least half of the coconut showing above the soil line. Provide lots of direct sunlight and heat, heat, heat. In a few weeks, a little bud will sprout!  If your nights are below 70 degrees F, bring them in, and return them to the sun each day.