Coconuts in New South Wales.

[philinsydney]

A few pics from the far north coast of NSW. Apart from South West Rocks, these could be the most southerly. Covering Brunswick Heads to Yamba.

[happypalms]

There’s a few planted around Woolgoolga,Mullaway and Red rock. 
I tried to grow them only 10 minutes drive away further north inland but no luck. Definitely a coastal palm for this area! 

[happypalms]

There’s a few planted around Woolgoolga,Mullaway and Red rock. 
I tried to grow them only 10 minutes drive away further north inland but no luck. Definitely a coastal palm for this area! 

[philinsydney]

Thanks. I always wondered if any were around that area.

[bubba]

Those are beautiful coconuts. I have New South Wales at 32° latitude south. Can they grow further south in Australia? Best

[philinsydney]

29 minutes ago, bubba said:

Those are beautiful coconuts. I have New South Wales at 32° latitude south. Can they grow further south in Australia? Best

You can probably forget anything south of Port Macquarie at 31 degrees. Yamba at 29 degrees is probably the comfortable limit. It's a bit untested, though.

[happypalms]

1 hour ago, philinsydney said:

Thanks. I always wondered if any were around that area.

Theres more growing around but only right on the coastal towns, most are pretty well on the beach or headlands. 

[happypalms]

There’s always coconuts washed up on the beach.

[philinsydney]

Amazing!  Are the beaches just north of Coffs?

[happypalms]

3 hours ago, philinsydney said:

Amazing!  Are the beaches just north of Coffs?

Yes marine parks. The best part of the world naturally. Yuragir nature park. 

[bubba]

I saw pictures of mature coconuts that were planted fully grown in a botanical garden near Sydney. The latitude of Sydney is 33° 87 south. These would not qualify because they did not grow their naturally and looked horrible. I am certain that they succumbed after a year or two.

[tim_brissy_13]

9 hours ago, bubba said:

I saw pictures of mature coconuts that were planted fully grown in a botanical garden near Sydney. The latitude of Sydney is 33° 87 south. These would not qualify because they did not grow their naturally and looked horrible. I am certain that they succumbed after a year or two.

The tall one they planted out at the Sydney BGs died after about a couple of years. That was about 10 years ago from memory. It was planted out in May just before winter so was doomed from the start. It wouldn’t surprise me if Cocos could succeed to some extent in Sydney. Maybe not thrive or set fruit, but at least survive and look ok long term. I think there are some collector’s in the northern suburbs who have kept them alive for a while. 

[tim_brissy_13]

9 hours ago, bubba said:

I saw pictures of mature coconuts that were planted fully grown in a botanical garden near Sydney. The latitude of Sydney is 33° 87 south. These would not qualify because they did not grow their naturally and looked horrible. I am certain that they succumbed after a year or two.

The tall one they planted out at the Sydney BGs died after about a couple of years. That was about 10 years ago from memory. It was planted out in May just before winter so was doomed from the start. It wouldn’t surprise me if Cocos could succeed to some extent in Sydney. Maybe not thrive or set fruit, but at least survive and look ok long term. I think there are some collector’s in the northern suburbs who have kept them alive for a while. 

[tim_brissy_13]

Found a photo of the Sydney BGs Cocos October 2018. Winter of 2018 finished it off. 

[philinsydney]

1 hour ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Found a photo of the Sydney BGs Cocos October 2018. Winter of 2018 finished it off. 

I could be wrong, but I think they wanted to get rid of it because they were closing the tropical greenhouse. They have an educational exhibit there now with temporary exhibitions related to education and conservation.

[tim_brissy_13]

1 hour ago, philinsydney said:

I could be wrong, but I think they wanted to get rid of it because they were closing the tropical greenhouse. They have an educational exhibit there now with temporary exhibitions related to education and conservation.

That’s my memory of the story behind it too. I believe they couldn’t be flexible on the planting time for that reason.