Maltese coconut project Posted August 1, 2021 Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 This discussion is regarding growing Cocos nucifera (Coconut) outside the bracket between the tropic of cancer and the tropic of capricorn where climate is less ideal. Everyone is invited to share their data, experiences, methods, techniques used and results. The aim of this topic is to learn from and hopefully help each other by sharing the knowledge 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 1, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 On 7/26/2021 at 9:23 PM, Aleitalyyy said: my coconut, banana, baby pineapple, alfredii, lemon etc are facing south / east they only sunbathe in the morning ... my temperatures according to the zones are good ... minimum 3/6 ° max 13/15 ° degrees ... my location is northern Italy on the Ligurian coast in the city of alassio On 7/27/2021 at 6:20 PM, Aleitalyyy said: yes .. I think that in my part of the country the cold is too low for a coconut ... and even the maximums are low .... citrus fruits, bananas, pineapples, avocados grow well ... but coconut I think only in a greenhouse, or one genetically reinforced by some substance ... surely an adult and large plant sheltered in a perfect place in full sun, and with a greenhouse that can be mountable for the winter it could do it even from my latitudes ... On 7/29/2021 at 5:30 AM, GottmitAlex said: Very nice! Are their husks buried? 16 hours ago, GottmitAlex said: They're doing just fine. Sneak peak: (This golden Malayan turns 5years old the 29th of August) On 5/26/2021 at 3:02 AM, JohnAndSancho said: How long have you had it @Reyes Vargas? 10 hours ago, GottmitAlex said: You have to add SALT. That is key. 9 hours ago, GottmitAlex said: It's not an opinion. It is a fact. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2014/11/03/pca-urges-farmers-to-use-salt-as-coconut-fertilizer/ https://businessdiary.com.ph/3512/use-of-salt-as-fertilizer-for-coconut/ https://ep.franphil.com/salt-an-effective-and-cheap-fertilizer-for-coconut/ I can go on and on. Between the Philippines and India, they employ the same methods. There are several papers out regarding NaCl. (Salt) for coconuts. Yes, the downside is, wherever you place the salt, the land(soil) will be inert. So you won't be able to grow anything else except Coconuts. You will kill any other palms (and any plant) with salt in the soil. Coconuts love salt. https://pca.gov.ph/pdf/cocoTech/fertilization/commonSaltFetilizationOnCocounuts.pdf 9 hours ago, GottmitAlex said: You tell me.... Non so esattamente 9 hours ago, GottmitAlex said: That the risk you will take. Hence, my recommendation to obtain a Beccariophoenix alfredii instead of Cocos nucifera. 9 hours ago, GottmitAlex said: agronomy-1263801-supplementary.pdf 185.5 kB · 3 downloads 33 minutes ago, PALM MOD said: You are welcome to start any topic you wish as long as it is about palms and posted in the appropriate forum. If it is worthwhile, people will participate. We have had many topics throughout the years regarding the growing of coconuts outside of the tropics. So, whether your topic offers anything new will remain to be seen. But no need to ask permission. If you mean starting a new forum just for coconuts in various climates, then no - that is not a broad enough topic of interest to warrant a dedicated forum. 27 minutes ago, PALM MOD said: Yes - any topic about palms in the "Discussing Palms" forum is allowed. Thanks kindly.. I just opened the new discussion.. Please everyone is invited to share their experiences. We're here to learn from and help each other.. Here's the link for the new discussion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 1, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 (edited) @GottmitAlex@Aleitalyyy @Stelios@palmfriend@Danilopez89@Tyrone@Cristóbal Edited August 1, 2021 by Maltese coconut project 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 Milesfrom Gulf of Mexico Posted August 2, 2021 Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 4 hours ago, Maltese coconut project said: Thanks kindly.. I just opened the new discussion.. Please everyone is invited to share their experiences. We're here to learn from and help each other.. Here's the link for the new discussion I'm here is Florida north of Tropic of Cancer. This coconut is 16 years old. Coldest temperature last winter 37 degrees Fahrenheit . 4 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 Wow this is very interesting. How long do cold spells last in that area? Which area of Florida? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 Update 2nd August 2021, location Attard, Malta 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 Milesfrom Gulf of Mexico Posted August 2, 2021 Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 8 hours ago, Maltese coconut project said: Wow this is very interesting. How long do cold spells last in that area? Which area of Florida? Seminole, Florida is located at 27°50′19″N 82°47′6″W (27.838502, -82.784913). It is surrounded by Pinellas County enclaves in all directions. Its closest neighbors are Indian Rocks Beach to the northwest, Largo to the north, Pinellas Park to the east, St. Petersburg to the south, and Madeira Beach to the west. Seminole has a humid subtropical climate. We are far enough south that it lies in the broad transition zone from subtropical to tropical climates. As such, Seminole is mostly warm to hot year round, with few nights of frost. Most of the annual rainfall comes in the wet season (June through September), when daily thundershowers erupt due to the strong solar heating. The dry season starts in October and runs through May, at which time the weather is sunny, dry, and there is little change in daily weather. Historical average for rainfall in August is 8 inches. Last winter we had no frost. If we do get nights in the low 40's or high 30's it only last a few hours. As soon as the sun rises in the morning the temperature usually rebound quickly. I used to wrap the tree when it was a juvenile during cold nights. Not anymore. I haven't done a thing since we have had mild winters last few seasons. Last month we had Hurricane Elsa. We had 50-60 MPH winds. Coconut had no wind damage except for a few coconuts falling to the ground. I bought the sprouted coconut tree from a small road side produce stand in Maui for $5.00. I got it inspected at the airport and was able to put it in my carry on luggage. I never potted it and stuck it in the ground the next day when I arrived home in Florida. After 16 years it is still going strong. Good luck with your coconut project. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 Great information that you shared here.. Very beautiful tree you have there, keep it up.. This is the information I need.. In the country I live in (Malta) we're 35.9 degrees N. We're also subtropical but going further down become North Africa and the Sahara desert.. We're mostly humid due to being a small archipelago of Islands but rainfall is low.. Obviously I have to water most of the time.. Our average rainfall was originally 570mm (22.4 inches) per year but these last years it has gone down to around 400 mm (16 inches) per year. Yes we're an arid country 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelvinB Posted August 2, 2021 Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 (edited) No new pictures yet, but here is my Cocos in the Netherlands. It has some sunburn on the older leaves, but that is o.k. It is pushing new leaves Alain and again. Edited August 2, 2021 by MelvinB 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 Wow that's really up north now. From which season does it hit 10 degrees celcius there and need to bring inside? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelvinB Posted August 2, 2021 Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 It never hit 10 degrees Celsius. It’s inside when temperatures are below 18 degrees Celsius. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 I understand.. That's good keeping it safe.. My oldest ones survived our Maltese winter with night time low occasionally reaching 9 degrees celcius but in South facing position and daytime sun temperatures go back to 20 degrees celcius 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 12, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2021 Update 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2021 Size comparison with me 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottmitAlex Posted August 13, 2021 Report Share Posted August 13, 2021 When are you going to plant them? 1 5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2021 Probably summer 2022 when the construction site behind our house is ready 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottmitAlex Posted August 13, 2021 Report Share Posted August 13, 2021 @Aleitalyyy you asked on another thread (subforum) about the cold hardiness between green and golden(yellow) coconuts. I answered that green coconuts are are hardier (more cold resistant) than Golden/yellow coconuts. First picture is my golden (yellow). Second picture is one of my green coconut palms. 1 2 5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2021 In your climate at this time of the year it's probably not the cold the problem but rather the low humidity 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2021 One more thing, can you compare both of the varieties newest leaves? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aleitalyyy Posted August 13, 2021 Report Share Posted August 13, 2021 @GottmitAlex hi alex I have followed many many posts here on the forum ... the idea was born from all the posts with coconut on the edge ... corona, new port beach, then those in the desert etc etc are all yellow ... I was convinced then that the yellows were more tolerant of the winter cold ... it will be just coincidences then .. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottmitAlex Posted August 14, 2021 Report Share Posted August 14, 2021 6 hours ago, Aleitalyyy said: @GottmitAlex hi alex I have followed many many posts here on the forum ... the idea was born from all the posts with coconut on the edge ... corona, new port beach, then those in the desert etc etc are all yellow ... I was convinced then that the yellows were more tolerant of the winter cold ... it will be just coincidences then .. It was a coincidence. My first coconut I bought through eBay and it was a golden. Like I've mentioned before: it was an accident. I thought coconuts could grow in my region. During transit time, I learned a lot of things about coconuts. I even changed out the soil/medium from "native" dirt to 100% pure coarse (thick) sand. Among other things. And it's growing nicely. 3 1 5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottmitAlex Posted August 14, 2021 Report Share Posted August 14, 2021 17 hours ago, Maltese coconut project said: Size comparison with me Since you are in Europe, I recommend this product as a foliar application. Made in Deutschland. 2 5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottmitAlex Posted August 14, 2021 Report Share Posted August 14, 2021 SALT! 1 1 5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottmitAlex Posted August 14, 2021 Report Share Posted August 14, 2021 1 1 5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottmitAlex Posted August 14, 2021 Report Share Posted August 14, 2021 1 1 5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottmitAlex Posted August 14, 2021 Report Share Posted August 14, 2021 Not many folks believe me. However, salt works! Yes, the soil/medium will be inert to grow anything other than coconuts. But it's a worthwhile risk. Salt kills anything except cocos. Cocos love it. 1 2 5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2021 (edited) According to Purdue University agricultural website, salt is not a necessity for coconut palm since they are facultative halophytes,, but on the other hand, Philippines website pca.gov.ph say that it improves yield. But then if one uses slow release fertiliser twice a year and regular water soluble fertiliser during the warm growing season (I use an only 1/5 dilute NPK 22 12 12 together with micronutrients containing Boron, Magnesium,, Manganese, Iron, Copper, Zinc and Molybdenum with traces of other elements so as to improve their health without ruining soil. One can use tap water for traces of Chloride) . In this table shows the essential and beneficial elements Edited August 14, 2021 by Maltese coconut project Forgot to mention an important detail 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2021 Update 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottmitAlex Posted August 27, 2021 Report Share Posted August 27, 2021 When a golden coco meets a green coco. 2 2 5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottmitAlex Posted August 27, 2021 Report Share Posted August 27, 2021 2 1 5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted August 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2021 My biggest two have some yellow but the third biggest one is green 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted September 12, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2021 Update 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted October 8, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 Update before moving them south facing for cooler months till 20th May 2022 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted October 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2021 Coconut palms and other plants enjoying their South facing position with temperature variations between 24-35 (75-95 degrees Fahrenheit)degrees celcius depending on sunny vs cloudy moments. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted October 23, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2021 I don't know whether this specific gravity meter is correct or far from accurate but if it is near than I must say I am astounded by the amount of salinity present in our Maltese tap water. No wonder the coconuts are happy. Supposed pure freshwater is just 0 ppt or 1.00 specific gravity 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottmitAlex Posted October 24, 2021 Report Share Posted October 24, 2021 4 2 5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted October 25, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2021 Growing beautifully 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted October 25, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2021 (edited) So I decided to get a more accurate device (refractometer) instead of the other one and the result is that actually the tap water is only 1 part per thousand (0.1%) salinity, much less than with the other device which I had the impression of being ( around 8 part per thousand or 0.8%) Edited October 25, 2021 by Maltese coconut project 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottmitAlex Posted October 25, 2021 Report Share Posted October 25, 2021 5 hours ago, Maltese coconut project said: So I decided to get a more accurate device (refractometer) instead of the other one and the result is that actually the tap water is only 1 part per thousand (0.1%) salinity, much less than with the other device which I had the impression of being ( around 8 part per thousand or 0.8%) You may want to add a little bit of salt to your coco. 1 5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese coconut project Posted October 25, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2021 (edited) I still find some articles a bit confusing when it comes to adding salt. According to this particular article they don't recommend watering with above 0.6% salinity, or 6 parts per thousand. Sometimes I still doubt this number but then on second thought, I also know that they are monsoon plants and I still fear taking the risk. To be honest I wish to experiment trying a few near a local beach, but our low precipitation discourages me. To solve the problem I need to find an all year round watercourse https://www.ehow.com/facts_7623427_can-coconut-trees-sea-water.html Edited October 25, 2021 by Maltese coconut project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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