Carolina Coconut Palm

[Palmy Pal]

I’m making this to keep track and share my experience growing this coconut palm here in North Carolina. I have grown Cocos here in the past and have been a bit lazy on overwintering them but this time I plan on going all out with it later on when winter sets in. But until then i will post updates on the spring/summer growth of this palm. Wish me luck! 

[Palmy Pal]

This is the coconut palm as of today. The palm came in the mail today from @NOT A TA and I potted it up earlier. Unfortunately I did not have a large enough pot for it to have extra growing space. So I will have to repot it once I buy a larger pot. Which will hopefully be soon. As of now the palm is outside and will stay outside 24/7 from now on unless temps get below 45F at night. Which it hasn’t been for a while now. With temps in the 80s this thing should take off with growth! Here are some pics. (P.s thanks @ZPalms for the idea and hopefully we can both see how our experiment goes as time goes on!) 

Edited April 15, 2022 by Palmy Pal

[OC2Texaspalmlvr]

Good luck with the palm overwintering. I'm 0for2 these last 2 years with Coconuts. One of them was even from @NOT A TA Even with a mild winter I still couldn't meet the heat requirements in 9a. Good luck tho I'm even gonna try again here soon. 

T J 

 

[ZPalms]

I've noticed with the green Malayan over the winter that even without a heat source and at room temperature or even just a bit chillier, I didn't expect too much of a problem with my coconut. The only thing I made sure of is to not run the fan at all during the winter, which sucks because it's in my bedroom and I hate being too warm when I sleep, but it's what I must do to keep my coconut happy.   I don't even add extra humidity besides what's naturally here, and it's usually 50% inside, but I'm taking my coconut outside today to re-acclimate it to the sun!

I'm still looking and figuring out the logistics of building a collapsable greenhouse or a permanent greenhouse that's cost effective for the coconuts to go in the ground, but I don't know the mature height they get and it would be cool if I could have a structure that I could take down so during the spring and summer the coconut can rock its hair freely.  

Good luck on your coconut, Looks good!! 

Edited April 15, 2022 by ZPalms

[Palmy Pal]

5 hours ago, ZPalms said:

I've noticed with the green Malayan over the winter that even without a heat source and at room temperature or even just a bit chillier, I didn't expect too much of a problem with my coconut. The only thing I made sure of is to not run the fan at all during the winter, which sucks because it's in my bedroom and I hate being too warm when I sleep, but it's what I must do to keep my coconut happy.   I don't even add extra humidity besides what's naturally here, and it's usually 50% inside, but I'm taking my coconut outside today to re-acclimate it to the sun!

I'm still looking and figuring out the logistics of building a collapsable greenhouse or a permanent greenhouse that's cost effective for the coconuts to go in the ground, but I don't know the mature height they get and it would be cool if I could have a structure that I could take down so during the spring and summer the coconut can rock its hair freely.  

Good luck on your coconut, Looks good!! 

Yeah I overwintered one that was pretty large for a good while but then I made the mistake of keeping it indoors by a window during the summer for a week while I was on vacation and it either rotted or the plant dried out from lack of humidity. Learn from my mistake lol don’t put it inside if you go on vacation. Just leave it outside and it will be fine. Just put it in a shadier spot. Though you have a growlight and stuff so you could maybe pull it off. But yeah fingers crossed for this one. 

[ZPalms]

12 minutes ago, Palmy Pal said:

Yeah I overwintered one that was pretty large for a good while but then I made the mistake of keeping it indoors by a window during the summer for a week while I was on vacation and it either rotted or the plant dried out from lack of humidity. Learn from my mistake lol don’t put it inside if you go on vacation. Just leave it outside and it will be fine. Just put it in a shadier spot. Though you have a growlight and stuff so you could maybe pull it off. But yeah fingers crossed for this one. 

All winter it's under a grow light with 0 sun but in the summer it's out everyday all day rain and sun! I'm so excited for it to be back in it's element 

[NOT A TA]

23 hours ago, Palmy Pal said:

Unfortunately I did not have a large enough pot for it to have extra growing space.

Long roots on that one eh? When I was packing it in the box I kept chuckling to myself thinking "Watch me pull a rabbit outta my hat!".  That one was the absolute size limit for a medium flat rate box, hahaha!

[NOT A TA]

21 hours ago, OC2Texaspalmlvr said:

Good luck with the palm overwintering. I'm 0for2 these last 2 years with Coconuts. One of them was even from @NOT A TA Even with a mild winter I still couldn't meet the heat requirements in 9a. Good luck tho I'm even gonna try again here soon. 

T J 

 

Might need to give it a bit of shelter during the coldest part of winter for a few years where you are if it's a borderline area.

[Palmy Pal]

36 minutes ago, NOT A TA said:

Long roots on that one eh? When I was packing it in the box I kept chuckling to myself thinking "Watch me pull a rabbit outta my hat!".  That one was the absolute size limit for a medium flat rate box, hahaha!

LOL! I know right. When I opened it up I was like holy cow I have never seen such a young palm with such long roots. I had to bend them a bit to get them in that pot so hopefully it will be fine but that’s the only option I had lol. But I’ve heard they are pretty forgiving when it comes to breaking/disturbing the roots. But I’ll get it in a bigger pot soon. 

[OC2Texaspalmlvr]

41 minutes ago, NOT A TA said:

Might need to give it a bit of shelter during the coldest part of winter for a few years where you are if it's a borderline area.

2 years in a row I have tried to over winter in my garage and they just wither away without supplemental heat. 

T J 

[NOT A TA]

41 minutes ago, Palmy Pal said:

LOL! I know right. When I opened it up I was like holy cow I have never seen such a young palm with such long roots. I had to bend them a bit to get them in that pot so hopefully it will be fine but that’s the only option I had lol. But I’ve heard they are pretty forgiving when it comes to breaking/disturbing the roots. But I’ll get it in a bigger pot soon. 

Yes the young cocos are pretty forgiving compared to other palms. We just cut off the roots that come out the drain holes, never an issue.

[NOT A TA]

37 minutes ago, OC2Texaspalmlvr said:

2 years in a row I have tried to over winter in my garage and they just wither away without supplemental heat. 

T J 

Did you have them on the floor? Cold air sinks and if they were placed on the cold concrete that would be about the worst. If you can't put them in a warmer place at least get them a few feet off the floor, several degrees difference in temp.

[OC2Texaspalmlvr]

Yeah I never thought about that , it was on the floor haha live and learn =) 

T J 

[Maltese coconut project]

I have a query. I wish to ask something to individuals living in areas with cool but non freezing winters similar to the Southern Mediterranean and California. In your experiences and opinions what is the number one killer during winter for coconut palms in those non freezing temperatures? Cool wind or having the soil too wet? What is your best advice when it comes to long cool winter's and watering during such season? Thank you in advance for answers

[Palmy Pal]

26 minutes ago, Maltese coconut project said:

I have a query. I wish to ask something to individuals living in areas with cool but non freezing winters similar to the Southern Mediterranean and California. In your experiences and opinions what is the number one killer during winter for coconut palms in those non freezing temperatures? Cool wind or having the soil too wet? What is your best advice when it comes to long cool winter's and watering during such season? Thank you in advance for answers

This experiment is taking place in North Carolina. So where I am growing this the winters get below freezing since it is sub tropical here so I have no experience with growing them in a tropical environment.

[Maltese coconut project]

I live in Malta, we have a subtropical non freezing cool winter. Do you keep them outside or bring them indoors during winter? 

[Palmy Pal]

Yes as I said it gets below freezing here So I have to bring them in. You will have better luck asking on a different thread as this one is based on growing them in a 9a climate where they can’t make it through the winter. So I’m not sure 

[Palmy Pal]

Coconut Palm Update:   
I had to bring it inside for a couple days because it got shockingly cold here for April. With night time temps in the mid 40s and daytime temps only reaching a bit above 60. But it is now outside and should be able to stay out from now on for good. 

[Philly J]

Required to be indoors 10 months of the year.  Northern Canada. 

[ZPalms]

The nightly lows for this time of the year and the beginning of fall are so annoying because I don't want to lift my coconut in and out every single night and bring it upstairs since it's so heavy and my room is kept warm and comfortable for my plants. I want a stable 60s at night because I feel like 50s is pushing it and if I feel a chill in the air, my coconut probably does too. 

[Palmy Pal]

2 hours ago, ZPalms said:

The nightly lows for this time of the year and the beginning of fall are so annoying because I don't want to lift my coconut in and out every single night and bring it upstairs since it's so heavy and my room is kept warm and comfortable for my plants. I want a stable 60s at night because I feel like 50s is pushing it and if I feel a chill in the air, my coconut probably does too. 

Yeah they are lol. But I keep mine out in the 50s because it’s getting down in the 50s in some parts of Florida still where cocos grow. Or Atleast it was in March. As long as the day temps are above 60 then 50s nights are fine 

[ZPalms]

Oh that's good, I'll consider putting mine out and giving it a go since your malayan is doing fine then that gives me some confidence to let mine go outside thanks! 

[spike]

2 hours ago, ZPalms said:

Oh that's good, I'll consider putting mine out and giving it a go since your malayan is doing fine then that gives me some confidence to let mine go outside thanks! 

It might also be fine to just keep it in your room by a bright window

[ZPalms]

7 minutes ago, spike said:

It might also be fine to just keep it in your room by a bright window

I would but my windows are covered with bedsheets because privacy and no fitted blinds (Its so ugly I want fitted blinds and new windows since they are so old and rotting and dont insulate good)

My coconut hasnt seen sunlight since the end of last summer, It has nothing but a grow light

Edited April 22, 2022 by ZPalms

[NOT A TA]

1 hour ago, ZPalms said:

My coconut hasnt seen sunlight since the end of last summer, It has nothing but a grow light

Do NOT put it in direct sunlight when you put it outside.

[ZPalms]

2 minutes ago, NOT A TA said:

Do NOT put it in direct sunlight when you put it outside.

I'm gonna place it under a tree or my screen in porch 

Learned my lesson after my first 3rd set of leaves got scortched last summer 

How long should I wait until I can put it back in full sun?

Edited April 22, 2022 by ZPalms

[Palmy Pal]

12 hours ago, ZPalms said:

I'm gonna place it under a tree or my screen in porch 

Learned my lesson after my first 3rd set of leaves got scortched last summer 

How long should I wait until I can put it back in full sun?

You want to slowly acclimate it back to full sun by putting on your screen porch for a while, then put it in either part shade for a while or put it out in full sun for an hour a day then build it up to 2 hours and then 3 and so on until it takes full sun with no burn. You want to do something like that when acclimating plants to full sun 

[Palmy Pal]

Just picked up this little coconut palm a bit ago at the grocery store. I couldn’t help myself LOL! It was the only one there and I had to have it. Looks like they got them in early this year. Anyways hopefully both of them will take off with growth soon! 

[ZPalms]

1 hour ago, Palmy Pal said:

Just picked up this little coconut palm a bit ago at the grocery store. I couldn’t help myself LOL! It was the only one there and I had to have it. Looks like they got them in early this year. Anyways hopefully both of them will take off with growth soon! 

It's wild to me that they sell coconuts with the husk still on at wherever your buying them 

[Palmy Pal]

5 hours ago, ZPalms said:

It's wild to me that they sell coconuts with the husk still on at wherever your buying them 

No they sell the whole plants. I just bought it today so what you see in the pic is how they sell them. Except I did take off the label hanging on the plant saying what it is and everything. They get them in at food lion in the summer and that’s where I have gotten most of mine including this one. So just check the food lions if you have any locally which I’m sure you do. 

[ZPalms]

8 hours ago, Palmy Pal said:

No they sell the whole plants. I just bought it today so what you see in the pic is how they sell them. Except I did take off the label hanging on the plant saying what it is and everything. They get them in at food lion in the summer and that’s where I have gotten most of mine including this one. So just check the food lions if you have any locally which I’m sure you do. 

I'll have to go in food lion and see, I've never seen coconuts being sold in mine unless they are new and growing in popularity to keep them as house plants unless they are being sold as food?

[Palmy Pal]

3 hours ago, ZPalms said:

I'll have to go in food lion and see, I've never seen coconuts being sold in mine unless they are new and growing in popularity to keep them as house plants unless they are being sold as food?

Yeah they are. I have seen them pop up and different nurseries and grocery stores. And no they are selling them as house plants they are all potted up and everything! They also have a little tag that says what it is and how to care for it but I took it off. 

[ZPalms]

4 minutes ago, Palmy Pal said:

Yeah they are. I have seen them pop up and different nurseries and grocery stores. And no they are selling them as house plants they are all potted up and everything! They also have a little tag that says what it is and how to care for it but I took it off. 

So sad so many coconuts will die just like orchids

[Palmy Pal]

Repotted and looking good! 

[Palmy Pal]

update on the grocery store coconut! It’s pushed out a new frond and is working on another! It didn’t skip a beat from repotting. The other coconut palm hasn’t grown at all though. So I’m not exactly sure why that is. I might have disturbed the roots a bit too much when repotting it which could have stunted it. That’s the only thing I can think of. 

[Palmy Pal]

Update on both coconut palms! Both have grown a lot since the last update! Photos taken late august. 

[ZPalms]

11 hours ago, Palmy Pal said:

Update on both coconut palms! Both have grown a lot since the last update! Photos taken late august. 

3 or 2 more fronds away and you'll be going semi pinnate, Looking pristine 😋

[Zeni]

@ZPalms

I removed the husk from the coconut for aesthetic reasons and maybe for extra space in the small pot I have the cocos palm in. May be not so smart of me to have done it during the beginning of fall as pulling out the husk / coir was a rough task which may have stressed the plant. Let's hope not.

[Zeni]

A few days later and no noticeable change in foliage. 🙏

[ZPalms]

On 9/25/2022 at 9:02 AM, Zeni said:

@ZPalms

I removed the husk from the coconut for aesthetic reasons and maybe for extra space in the small pot I have the cocos palm in. May be not so smart of me to have done it during the beginning of fall as pulling out the husk / coir was a rough task which may have stressed the plant. Let's hope not.

 

On 9/29/2022 at 6:33 AM, Zeni said:

A few days later and no noticeable change in foliage. 🙏

That's some risky business, good to see it hasn't changed behavior since doing that 😋