Cocos nucifera (Coconut) in Malta

[Maltese coconut project]

We can only trial and error at this point and compare results with previous years 

[Maltese coconut project]

Last it rained in my area was in the first week of December and it was light rain. The water you're seeing is all from humidity at night and it's almost always high 

Edited December 28, 2022 by Maltese coconut project

[Maltese coconut project]

Today 28th December 2022,  I decided to post photos of other plants (mostly tropical). This is to show new leaf growth more than a month after the November hail storm and to give a picture of the till now spring similar temperatures. Among Coconuts are mangos, pineapples, papaya, franjipani and other plants. I lost 2 pineapples, 1 Queen victoria pineapple and a papaya in the aftermath of the hail storm 

[Aleitalyyy]

it seems to me that coconut plants are starting to lose their leaves?

 

[Aleitalyyy]

dry the leaves

[Maltese coconut project]

Those are the non sun hardened leaves which grew indoors. That's why I say that in summer 2021 I did a mistake when I put them under north facing wall. They grew large beautiful dark leaves but with thinner waxy cuticle and less but larger stomata.. Such leaves are similar to indoor plant leaves and get burnt easily with stressful conditions. In marginal climates I have learnt that how important it is to harden them (after suffering big losses) 

[Maltese coconut project]

Early morning photos showing dew (always above 90% humidity) 

[Maltese coconut project]

[GottmitAlex]

Those temps are ok. 

The problem is the root system.

 

[Maltese coconut project]

That's where foliar fertilizer comes in.. To bypass the incorrect and flactuation of temperatures in the root system which might affect absorption of macro and micronutrients 

[GottmitAlex]

2 hours ago, Maltese coconut project said:

That's where foliar fertilizer comes in.. To bypass the incorrect and flactuation of temperatures in the root system which might affect absorption of macro and micronutrients 

No. In the containers,  the Cocos nucifera are rootbound. Even here @ 32.51° above the equator in pots (containers) they die.  

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.  They need to be in the ground to have a fighting chance.

 

[Maltese coconut project]

I will try some when they are big enough.. Just not for now. Planting in the ground has an advantage of growing deep roots in layers where temperatures become more stable and flactuate less being more ideal for absorbing macronutrients and micronutrients. But in the meantime, I'll use foliar feeding to bypass the problem 

[Maltese coconut project]

Today's update 30th December 2022. Temperature in direct sunlight 28.5 degrees celcius. 83.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Also temperatures in the garden downstairs is 21 degrees celcius /69.8 degrees Fahrenheit.  Slightly higher than in the shade upstairs due to being sheltered by buildings 

[Maltese coconut project]

31st December 2022 update 

[Maltese coconut project]

Happy New Year From Malta 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴

[Aleitalyyy]

Coco canarie potted

Edited January 2, 2023 by Aleitalyyy

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

On 1/1/2023 at 6:12 AM, Maltese coconut project said:

Happy New Year From Malta 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

John

[Maltese coconut project]

Today's update 5th January 2023.  One can notice that the older shade/ greenhouse condition leaves dried out whilst the ones exposed to full sun in summer are more resilient. That's why sun hardening is very important in summer (done gradually and correctly) 

[Maltese coconut project]

Temperatures are getting cooler.  The green colour in the Cocos nucifera specimens is still very well preserved, very highly likely due to the foliar fertilizer use. One of the small specimens is dead since it sustained more physical damage from the hail storm (probably a direct hit by hail) in November. But all the rest are doing quite well overall, even small ones. We'll hope they will all surpass and survive past April. This winter is very similar to winter 2020-2021. By now they would already have changed to a paler slightly yellowish green. In my opinion foliar fertilizer is really doing it's part.. So the big question remains yet to be answered "is coconut death in non freezing southern Mediterranean winters due to starvation from lack of nutrient absorption from less active roots?". We'll have an answer to that question at the end of April. In winter 2020-2021 only around 6 samples survived outside and they were all larger than 60cm/2 feet. If this time smaller specimens survive, it means that foliar fertilizer is definitely a game changer for coconut palms to survive mildly cool non freezing winters. Also there are new leaf spears growing slowly. Only greenhouse type non sun hardened leaves died till now. Sun hardened leaves are doing quite well 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴

Edited January 11, 2023 by Maltese coconut project

[Palermogreen]

Hi, I live in Palermo (Sicily, Italy) and I'm trying to grow a coconut palm outdoors on my balcony. Up to this moment the plant is continuing to vegetate and has only some slight burns due to the cold on the leaves. For about three days I have wrapped a sheet of non vowed fabric around the stem: otherwise no protection.

 

[Maltese coconut project]

Close to Malta.  Till now I am experimenting.. Possibly the main two factors influencing their survival in winter are 1) hardening them in summer 2) bioavailability of nutrients in winter.  The roots of some tropical plant species absorb nutrients at lower rates during cool months and therefore might reduce survival rates. In this experiment we will learn whether foliar fertilizer will bypass this problem. Hopefully foliar fertilizer will be a game changer 

[Palermogreen]

2 hours ago, Maltese coconut project said:

Close to Malta.  Till now I am experimenting.. Possibly the main two factors influencing their survival in winter are 1) hardening them in summer 2) bioavailability of nutrients in winter.  The roots of some tropical plant species absorb nutrients at lower rates during cool months and therefore might reduce survival rates. In this experiment we will learn whether foliar fertilizer will bypass this problem. Hopefully foliar fertilizer will be a game changer 

Read this article:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289736547_Fertilization_Improves_Cold_Tolerance_in_Coconut_Palm

[GottmitAlex]

5 hours ago, Maltese coconut project said:

Close to Malta.  Till now I am experimenting.. Possibly the main two factors influencing their survival in winter are 1) hardening them in summer 2) bioavailability of nutrients in winter.  The roots of some tropical plant species absorb nutrients at lower rates during cool months and therefore might reduce survival rates. In this experiment we will learn whether foliar fertilizer will bypass this problem. Hopefully foliar fertilizer will be a game changer 

If that doesn't help then the next step to try would be to plant it.

[Maltese coconut project]

Absolutely, no other alternatives available otherwise 

Edited January 12, 2023 by Maltese coconut project

[Maltese coconut project]

I read that article multiple times but thanks for the reference 

Edited January 12, 2023 by Maltese coconut project

[Maltese coconut project]

Trimmed off totally dry leaf parts. Also noticed that inside transparent box it's 1.5 degrees celcius warmer. 

[Maltese coconut project]

Update. Photos of other tropical species for comparison of still showing new leaf growth. Also comparing sun vs shade temperature in degrees celcius 

[Maltese coconut project]

Daily update 16th January 2023 

[Aleitalyyy]

amazing continues to be growth in january...

come on my friend that from next year I want to see coconut planted in the ground

[Maltese coconut project]

I will try 

[Maltese coconut project]

Yesterday's 18th January photos. A cool spell is coming with rain. Possibly thunderstorm.. I hope the thundercloud doesn't bring hail again... 

[Maltese coconut project]

The cooler coconut hostile weather is here. According to weather forecast it will persist for at least the next 10 days. Will foliar fertilizer be a good bridge for survival from now till May? 

[Palermogreen]

34 minutes ago, Maltese coconut project said:

The cooler coconut hostile weather is here. According to weather forecast it will persist for at least the next 10 days. Will foliar fertilizer be a good bridge for survival from now till May? 

Even in Palermo the cold weather has arrived.  🤞🤞🤞

[Maltese coconut project]

Probably it's the same mass of clouds since Sicily is the closest country to Malta 

[Palermogreen]

At the moment the plant resists, but is starting to show signs of foliar suffering.  Today I administered potassium fertilizer diluted in warm water: let's hope it helps.

 

For comparison, this is Musa Acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish', which continues to vegetate without problems.

 

[Maltese coconut project]

Maybe you should consider increasing your chances with foliar fertilizer 

[Palermogreen]

8 hours ago, Maltese coconut project said:

Maybe you should consider increasing your chances with foliar fertilizer 

I did it. Today I bought a bottle of potassium based green plant fertilizer.

[Maltese coconut project]

Foliar though? I give both NPK and micronutrients as foliar but in winter low Nitrogen to avoid softening the leaves 

[Maltese coconut project]

Windy and cool day 

[Maltese coconut project]

Cool weather probably will persist till the end of January at least