Who Sells Dwarf Green Malayan Coconut Seedlings in U.S.?

[J.O.A.]

I recently purchased a property on South Padre Island, TX and want to plant a couple Dwarf Green Malayan coconut seedlings.  I've done some online searching but haven't been able to find any seller that sells a confirmed Dwarf Green Malayan coconut seedling.  By seedling, I mean a small two to three inch sprout from the seed.  Any recommendations for online sellers of this type of Cocos Nucifera?

[mnorell]

I just checked Etsy, and there are gobs of vendors selling these. I assume many of them ship to Texas. You can also try eBay and several other dedicated vendors...a google search of "green malay" "coconut" "shipping" will come up with lots of options for you. This is not a difficult coconut to acquire. You should check with John Purcell @Mr. Coconut Palm as he is up on "everything coconut" in South Texas and may even be able to get you to a local vendor.  He may also be able to recommend alternate varieties that may be better adapted locally as compared to the Malaysian Green, which is not always the best choice. I would suggest from my own personal experience both from my previous garden in the Keys and now here in the Palm Springs area, to search out a germinating fruit, hopefully with an eophyll with no roots yet showing through the husk. Plant it about 1/4-1/3 deep into sandy soil and let it "do its thing" unmolested...you should be good to go. They do like partial shade when young, growing into sun...though they will survive with full sun early on. These were my own observations from living the Keys, where the best nuts always sprouted in somewhat shady conditions (usually in decomposing coco husk/coir remnants/mulch) and grew like gangbusters up into the sunlight. Coming from San Diego, you may be surprised just how fast these grow in the climate of extreme South Texas or South Florida. The experience can be somewhat spectacularly revelatory to someone used to the constraints of a cool climate. Bueno suerte!

[SeanK]

1 hour ago, J.O.A. said:

I recently purchased a property on South Padre Island, TX and want to plant a couple Dwarf Green Malayan coconut seedlings.  I've done some online searching but haven't been able to find any seller that sells a confirmed Dwarf Green Malayan coconut seedling.  By seedling, I mean a small two to three inch sprout from the seed.  Any recommendations for online sellers of this type of Cocos Nucifera?

"two to three inch sprout"?

Never seen that. You'll find a seed or a seedling about 18" tall.

[Fusca]

10 hours ago, SeanK said:

"two to three inch sprout"?

Never seen that. You'll find a seed or a seedling about 18" tall.

Now you have - third one from the left.  😄 

[J.O.A.]

13 hours ago, mnorell said:

I just checked Etsy, and there are gobs of vendors selling these. I assume many of them ship to Texas. You can also try eBay and several other dedicated vendors...a google search of "green malay" "coconut" "shipping" will come up with lots of options for you. This is not a difficult coconut to acquire. You should check with John Purcell @Mr. Coconut Palm as he is up on "everything coconut" in South Texas and may even be able to get you to a local vendor.  He may also be able to recommend alternate varieties that may be better adapted locally as compared to the Malaysian Green, which is not always the best choice. I would suggest from my own personal experience both from my previous garden in the Keys and now here in the Palm Springs area, to search out a germinating fruit, hopefully with an eophyll with no roots yet showing through the husk. Plant it about 1/4-1/3 deep into sandy soil and let it "do its thing" unmolested...you should be good to go. They do like partial shade when young, growing into sun...though they will survive with full sun early on. These were my own observations from living the Keys, where the best nuts always sprouted in somewhat shady conditions (usually in decomposing coco husk/coir remnants/mulch) and grew like gangbusters up into the sunlight. Coming from San Diego, you may be surprised just how fast these grow in the climate of extreme South Texas or South Florida. The experience can be somewhat spectacularly revelatory to someone used to the constraints of a cool climate. Bueno suerte!

Thanks for the suggestions, I will check those sources and may also try to contact Mr. Coconut Palm.

Many years ago I tried coconuts in San Diego and got them through two winters but not looking great.  Eventually, the Santa Ana winds did them in.  I should have better luck in South Padre Island and just hope that there isn't a severely cold Canadian front in the next couple decades.

My dad lives in La Quinta and I've always wanted to plant a coconut in his yard.  As you know, most winter days are warm but many nights can be cold.  However, since it is a desert, it warms up very quickly starting in late January.  I think they would survive and not look bad as long as they are watered frequently from spring to fall.

 

[J.O.A.]

2 hours ago, Fusca said:

Now you have - third one from the left.  😄 

Yes, that is what I'm looking for.

[Fusca]

1 hour ago, J.O.A. said:

Yes, that is what I'm looking for.

Interestingly that one with the shortest/youngest sprout was the only one of the four that grew.  It was the only one that had not yet put out roots. According to @Mr. Coconut Palm the Jamaican Tall variety don't transplant well so the other 3 just lived for a while then died.  It might not matter as much with other varieties but @mnorell's advice is good if you end up getting a seed.  Padre Palms (10015 SPID) in Flour Bluff used to sell good sized potted coconuts when I lived there in 2017 - maybe you can find one there.