A trio of Malay dwarf coconuts

[happypalms]

A nice little trio of Malay dwarf sp coconuts not sure how they will go in the cool climate the wife was insisting on them so I thought well why not give them a go from what I have heard they are cool tolerant coconuts grow a short 15 minutes drive to the beach from my property but that is not as cold as my place I purchased 3 thinking at least one might make as a palm grower I often get asked will a coconut live in my area a quick no is my answer so this little coconut experiment will see if iam correct in saying no time will tell I guess.

[peachy]

They love the sun so make sure they get plenty. Their leaves get very long even before they start to trunk so make sure they have plenty of space to stretch out in.  Don't be shocked if they sit there and laugh at you for 6 months. Once they settle in they are a steady grower.

Peachy

[happypalms]

  On 6/20/2024 at 9:42 AM, peachy said:

They love the sun so make sure they get plenty. Their leaves get very long even before they start to trunk so make sure they have plenty of space to stretch out in.  Don't be shocked if they sit there and laugh at you for 6 months. Once they settle in they are a steady grower.

Peachy

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If iam lucky a group planting of all three I have a hot sunny spot in the garden picked out thanks for the tips peachy my coconut 🥥 guru lady 

Richard 

[happypalms]

Thought I might add the growers cultural notes I was given interesting the bottle of sea water tip.

[Harry’s Palms]

Those are cool. So they are dwarf , meaning a smaller height? Harry

[peachy]

  On 6/21/2024 at 3:30 PM, Harry’s Palms said:

Those are cool. So they are dwarf , meaning a smaller height? Harry

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Don't quote me on this but I think they only get to 4 or 5 metres. I can state they are nowhere near the height of the regular coconut palms. They keep the lovely yellow/orange colour all the time and the fruit is also that colour.

Peachy

[peachy]

  On 6/21/2024 at 9:49 AM, happypalms said:

Thought I might add the growers cultural notes I was given interesting the bottle of sea water tip.

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Good old Rooster Booster !  I've used it since it was $8 a bag (giving my age away here)   Palms love it, I even pop a handful in epiphytes, pot plants etc.  I have heard the sea water theory, always though it was an old wive's tale, but as I am nearly 2 hours drive from the nearest sea water, mine won't be getting any in the near future.

Peachy

[happypalms]

  On 6/21/2024 at 3:30 PM, Harry’s Palms said:

Those are cool. So they are dwarf , meaning a smaller height? Harry

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Iam not sure Harry they are new to me I have never been interested in coconut palms so not a lot of research done on my behalf so time will tell if they can handle the cold weather if three dwarf or tall it will surprise me they grow in my garden.

Richard 

[happypalms]

  On 6/21/2024 at 11:54 PM, peachy said:

Good old Rooster Booster !  I've used it since it was $8 a bag (giving my age away here)   Palms love it, I even pop a handful in epiphytes, pot plants etc.  I have heard the sea water theory, always though it was an old wive's tale, but as I am nearly 2 hours drive from the nearest sea water, mine won't be getting any in the near future.

Peachy

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Oh yeah rooster booster is the go orchids love it and as for the sea water I guess it makes sense the salt water theory would make a good debate for palm talk.

Richard 

[Harry’s Palms]

Fingers crossed eh? Harry

[happypalms]

  On 6/22/2024 at 12:17 AM, Harry’s Palms said:

Fingers crossed eh? Harry

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Yep you gotta give it a go sometimes in life.

Richard 

[bromlad]

when we lived in grafton about 25 years ago some friends of ours had one about 3 foot tall in their garden at mcphersons crossing.They moved soon after so dont know what happened to it but it grew for them for several years despite the severe frosts they got every winter. if i remember correctly it was in some kind of rough shadehouse

[Tyrone]

  On 6/21/2024 at 9:49 AM, happypalms said:

Thought I might add the growers cultural notes I was given interesting the bottle of sea water tip.

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I grew a Dwarf Malay in my Perth garden with a lot of care and during the growing season I gave them a couple of spoonfuls of rock salt every couple of months. Do you average 20C max during your coolest winter months. If so, that is there cut off temp. They need exceptional drainage, so pure sand is a must in marginal areas, and they need almost no water during winter. Obviously the warmer you are during winter the more water they can take. In marginal areas, the difference between life and death, too little water and too much water in winter is a razor sharp margin. A north facing spot protected from cold southerlies is what they need too. Sun, sun and more sun as they are a solar panel really. If you are going to plant them now being winter, I’d suggest a portable poly tent over them so they can at least bed in over winter. I hope they go well for you. 

[happypalms]

  On 6/22/2024 at 9:49 AM, Tyrone said:

I grew a Dwarf Malay in my Perth garden with a lot of care and during the growing season I gave them a couple of spoonfuls of rock salt every couple of months. Do you average 20C max during your coolest winter months. If so, that is there cut off temp. They need exceptional drainage, so pure sand is a must in marginal areas, and they need almost no water during winter. Obviously the warmer you are during winter the more water they can take. In marginal areas, the difference between life and death, too little water and too much water in winter is a razor sharp margin. A north facing spot protected from cold southerlies is what they need too. Sun, sun and more sun as they are a solar panel really. If you are going to plant them now being winter, I’d suggest a portable poly tent over them so they can at least bed in over winter. I hope they go well for you. 

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No worries Tyrone I have a great sunny spot free draining sand that is hot in summer also I was at the site  yesterday in the garden with the winter solstice the sun was hitting the planting site perfect with the last rays of sunlight through the gum trees it’s the best winter sun trap spot in my garden so iam hopeful for them but thanks for the great  grow tips it will be interesting iam not going to plant them until a few years time when they are a bit bigger and acclimated that is if they live I do average up to 20c to 22c  with the odd 24c in the sun but down to 2c if I can get them a bit acclimated they pass test one weather stage.

[Tyrone]

  On 6/22/2024 at 11:27 AM, happypalms said:

No worries Tyrone I have a great sunny spot free draining sand that is hot in summer also I was at the site  yesterday in the garden with the winter solstice the sun was hitting the planting site perfect with the last rays of sunlight through the gum trees it’s the best winter sun trap spot in my garden so iam hopeful for them but thanks for the great  grow tips it will be interesting iam not going to plant them until a few years time when they are a bit bigger and acclimated that is if they live I do average up to 20c to 22c  with the odd 24c in the sun but down to 2c if I can get them a bit acclimated they pass test one weather stage.

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If you average 20-22C in winter, positioned correctly they should do fine for you. In WA your winter average max is equivalent to Horrocks beach to Kalbarri which I would call warm subtropical and in Kalbarri Cocos are easy to grow and fruit well. I’m envious. 😀

[happypalms]

  On 6/22/2024 at 12:15 PM, Tyrone said:

If you average 20-22C in winter, positioned correctly they should do fine for you. In WA your winter average max is equivalent to Horrocks beach to Kalbarri which I would call warm subtropical and in Kalbarri Cocos are easy to grow and fruit well. I’m envious. 😀

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Iam still not convinced they will grow I hope they do so the wife can say I told you so and I have to eat humble pie 🤣

[Tyrone]

If they grow near the beach a few minutes away I reckon with a bit of microclimate manipulation in the right spot they will grow. But if they don’t, you can always plant some Beccariophoenix alfredii which look very similar to a coconut and take frost. I’m growing a heap here in my wet frost hollow at 35S.